‘Female Gunther’ weighs in on nickname, names WWE dream opponent
A WWE prospect recently revealed her reaction to being labeled the “female Gunther” by fans after an awkward encounter last year.
Just over a year ago, former WWE World Heavyweight Champion Gunther visited the trainees during the WWE LFG show. An interaction with Zena Sterling (real name Olena Sadovska) in particular stuck out as he blatantly mocked her mannerisms and added that “no one wants to see Barbie.”
Speaking with TMZ’s Inside the Ring, Sterling was asked about the “female Gunther reference” by WWE fans on social media and she said it doesn’t bother her and considers it a compliment, admitting that she reads them and jokingly pats herself on the back when she does.
The 23-year-old has been competing on WWE NXT live events and was last seen losing to Tyra Mae Steele on a late-January episode of Evolve.
When asked about her dream opponent in WWE, Sterling instantly named Rhea Ripley. She distinctly pointed out the similarities between them, especially with Ripley’s shy and quiet demeanor when she first joined the WWE PC.
“She’s always been an inspiration of mine because she got to the Performance Center when she was 19, just like me and she was once shy as well. I feel like we just connect on so many levels and I see myself in her. So, it’s her development and where she is now. Over time as I develop that same way and get better, I feel like that could be a cool, little match.”
Sterling was a runner-up on LFG Season 1, mentored by Bubba Ray Dudley. And is now an active competitor on WWE Evolve.
Meanwhile, Gunther and Rhea Ripley are cited as credible talents to emerge from WWE NXT and the Performance Center. Gunther was primarily recognized for his work in NXT UK before being absorbed with the central brand in 2022.
This year, Ripley walks into her seventh WrestleMania match as she aims to dethrone Jade Cargill for the WWE Women’s Championship.
Rosanne Raphael is a wrestling writer with over three and a half years of experience covering all things related to the industry. From a kindergarten teacher to PR Associate to turning her lifelong passion for the industry into a career, Rosanne is currently writing for F4W Online where she focuses on wrestling news, analysis, and storytelling.
Rosanne previously contributed to Sportskeeda as an Assistant Content Manager.
When not consumed by wrestling, Rosanne is a musician and an aspiring artist.