The WWE universe witnessed an unexpected showdown last Friday night on SmackDown when Axiom, one-half of the NXT Tag Team Champions, took on World Heavyweight Champion Gunther. However, his tag team partner, Nathan Frazer, wasn’t too pleased about being left out of the surprise.
Axiom Faces Gunther in His Home Country
Axiom made a surprise appearance on SmackDown in Spain, where he faced Gunther in a tough battle. Despite putting up a strong fight, Axiom ultimately fell to The Ring General, who not only won the match but also choked him out after the bell. The match showcased Axiom’s resilience, but Gunther proved why he’s the reigning World Heavyweight Champion.
After the match, Axiom took to social media, sharing a funny screenshot from WWE 2K25 where a virtual Nathan Frazer asked SmackDown GM Nick Aldis for a match against him. The real-life Frazer quickly responded with a humorous yet slightly annoyed message, pointing out that Axiom had gone behind his back to compete on SmackDown without telling him.
“I laughed at this until I realized you literally had a match on SmackDown against the world champion behind my back,” Frazer wrote.
Gunther Prepares for WrestleMania 41
Gunther’s dominant performance against Axiom was just another display of his power ahead of WrestleMania 41. The World Heavyweight Champion is set to defend his title against Men’s Royal Rumble winner Jey Uso at the grand event, making every match leading up to it crucial for his momentum.
Vince Russo Criticizes Axiom’s Match Against Gunther
While many fans appreciated the unexpected match, former WWE writer Vince Russo had a different take. Speaking on Sportskeeda Wrestling’s BroDown show, Russo criticized Gunther for selling moves against Axiom. He believed that the NXT star should not have been given any offense against the reigning World Heavyweight Champion.
“Freaking Gunther cannot be selling to some jabrone because he’s from Spain. Gunther is the one that’s gotta say, ‘Guys, I am the World Champion, I am getting ready to go to WrestleMania, you want me to sell for a guy that nobody knows? He’s half my size. Because he is Spanish and we’re in Barcelona?’ He’s got to say, ‘No, I am not doing that,’” Russo said.
His comments sparked debate among fans, with some agreeing that Gunther should be booked as an unstoppable force, while others appreciated the match for giving Axiom a chance to showcase his skills.
What’s Next for Axiom and Fraxiom?
With WrestleMania 41 approaching, it remains to be seen if Axiom and Frazer will make their way to the grand stage as a team. Their playful exchange on social media hints at a strong partnership, but could this surprise appearance lead to tension within Fraxiom? WWE fans will be watching closely to see what happens next.
FAQs
Why did Nathan Frazer call out Axiom?
Nathan Frazer reacted to Axiom’s surprise appearance on SmackDown, joking that his tag team partner went behind his back to face Gunther.
Did Axiom defeat Gunther on SmackDown?
No, Gunther won the match against Axiom and choked him out after the bell.
What did Vince Russo say about Axiom vs Gunther?
Vince Russo criticized the match, saying Gunther shouldn’t have sold for Axiom, as he is much smaller and relatively unknown compared to the World Heavyweight Champion.
Who will Gunther face at WrestleMania 41?
Gunther will defend his World Heavyweight Championship against Men’s Royal Rumble winner Jey Uso at WrestleMania 41.
What’s next for Axiom and Nathan Frazer?
As the NXT Tag Team Champions, Fraxiom will likely continue defending their titles, but Frazer’s reaction suggests some tension between the two partners.
