Tag: billy gunn

Road Dogg says Billy Gunn texted ‘I’m in’ for WWE DX reunion, not happy he wasn’t there

Posted on by Ian Carey

Billy Gunn believed he would be part of D-Generation X’s 25-year anniversary in WWE. 

Triple H, Shawn Michaels, X-Pac, and Road Dogg closed out the October 10, 2022 episode of WWE Raw celebrating the Hall-of-Fame faction. AEW’s Billy Gunn was not in attendance, however, and according to comments made by Road Dogg on his ‘Oh… You Didn’t Know’ podcast, he wasn’t happy about it. 

“It broke my heart, and I believe it broke his too,” Road Dogg said. “In all actuality, Hunter was not happy about it either. Shawn and X-Pac weren’t either. We wanted the band, all that we could get back together. Chyna is there in spirit. That didn’t happen. From what I understand, and I’m not in those inner circles anymore, and for my sanity rightfully so and thankful. I don’t know the exact reason, but I was told everything that we could do was done, and we couldn’t come together.” 

“During the day prior, I texted him, ‘Hey, are you going to be able to make it? Have you found out any answers yet?’ He said, ‘Yes, I’m in.’ I was like, ‘Oh my God, that’s awesome.’ Literally, before I landed at home, I found out he was not in. I texted him back and he wasn’t happy either. It just didn’t work, no matter what. I understand. Whatever. I understand we’re [AEW and WWE] not huge fans of each other from a business standpoint. It was a big deal, and I feel like he got ripped off and didn’t live it with us. I’m sorry for that. I know he is too,” he said.

Billy Gunn and Road Dogg officially joined D-Generation X on the Raw after WrestleMania in 1998. Sean “X-Pac” Waltman returned to WWE on the same day and also joined the faction. 

H/T to Fightful for the above transcriptions. 

Billy Gunn vs. Colten Gunn added to AEW Dynamite

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Father and son are set to collide on Wednesday’s Rampage.

Billy Gunn is set to take on his son, Colten, on Wednesday’s show. Also added is Britt Baker vs. KiLynn King and Ricky Starks will speak after Powerhouse Hobbs turned on him several weeks ago.

On Friday’s Rampage, Billy Gunn said that he was going to “spank the asses” of Colten and Austin Gunn after they turned on him on Wednesday’s Dynamite. He also said he wasn’t going to be alone, bringing in The Acclaimed.

Britt Baker appeared on Rampage saying she was going to sit out the pay-per-view and instead watch Thunder Storm (Toni Storm and Thunder Rosa) implode, as the two are set to meet at All Out.

Starks appeared on Friday’s Rampage and said he had some things to say to Powerhouse Hobbs. Earlier in the show, Hobbs demanded that The Factory take out Starks. QT Marshall promised it would happen.

Here is what has been announced thus far for Wednesday’s Dynamite:

  • CM Punk vs. Jon Moxley for the undisputed AEW World Championship
  • Billy Gunn vs. Colten Gunn
  • Dax Harwood vs. Jay Lethal
  • Britt Baker vs. KiLynn King
  • Death Triangle (PAC, Penta El 0M, and Rey Fenix) vs. Will Ospreay & Aussie Open
  • Ricky Starks to speak

Darby Allin vs. Billy Gunn, two more matches set for AEW Rampage

Posted on by Ethan Renner

AEW has revealed the lineup for this Friday’s episode of Rampage. 

Darby Allin will face Billy Gunn in a singles match. The bout was set up on Dynamite when Billy, Austin and Colten Gunn confronted Allin in a backstage segment. Allin stated that he wanted the biggest and baddest that AEW had to offer, and Billy said he was the biggest, baddest guy in AEW. 

The TBS Championship tournament will continue with a quarterfinals matchup. Jade Cargill will face Red Velvet in the tournament bout. The winner will advance to the semifinals and face the winner of the Thunder Rosa vs. Jamie Hayter bout set for next week’s Dynamite. 

Also announced, Adam Cole will team with his former NXT Undisputed Era stablemate Bobby Fish against Jungle Boy and Luchasaurus. 

Friday’s Rampage will be taped tonight in Norfolk, Virginia. Here is the full lineup: 

AEW Rampage, Friday, November 19, 10 p.m. Eastern time on TNT —

  • Adam Cole & Bobby Fish vs. Jungle Boy & Luchasaurus
  • TBS Championship tournament quarterfinals: Jade Cargill vs. Red Velvet
  • Darby Allin vs. Billy Gunn

QT Marshall vs. Billy Gunn set for AEW Dynamite

Posted on by Bryan Rose

A match between Billy Gunn and QT Marshall has been added to this week’s Dynamite.

The match was made based on an interview uploaded on AEW’s social media. Austin Gunn, after defeating Aaron Solow on AEW Dark: Elevation, got flustered when asked if the Gunn Club’s feud with The Factory was over. Billy Gunn came in and finished the question for Austin, saying that it wasn’t over. Marshall then showed up and told Billy that it was nothing personal. Gunn said he took it too far by attacking Cody and the rest of the Nightmare Family. Marshall punched out Gunn, asked if that was too far, then walked away.

Marshall attacked Cody and the rest of the Nightmare Family last month, with Aaron Solow, Nick Comoroto, and Anthony Ogogo joining him to form a new group called The Factory.

The lineup for the rest of this week’s Dynamite includes:

  • Darby Allin vs. Jungle Boy for the TNT title
  • Hikaru Shida vs. Tay Conti for the AEW Women’s World title
  • Hangman Page vs. Ricky Starks
  • Christian Cage vs. Powerhouse Hobbs
  • Penta El Zero Miedo vs. Trent

AEW Dark results: Billy Gunn vs. Shawn Spears

Posted on by Ethan Renner

Video —

Report —

AEW Dark was a one-match show this week.  The bout saw Shawn Spears take on Billy Gunn, a main event anywhere in the world. 

**********

Shawn Spears defeated Billy Gunn (w/ Austin Gunn)

Spears began with a lot of stalling before finally locking up. Billy used an arm wringer and targeted the left arm of Spears. Spears rolled outside and stalled more. 

Billy missed a charge into the corner. Spears then missed a charge into the corner. Billy hit some kicks in the corner. Spears again rolled outside. Austin began jawing with Spears. 

The match spilled outside, where Billy beat Spears around ringside. They did a comedy spot which saw Spears land with his face in the lap of ring announcer Dasha Gonzalez. Spears posted Billy and began working the big man over.

Spears used a DDT for a near fall. Spears threw a series of strikes. Billy countered with a lariat and began a slow-motion comeback. 

Billy fired up and hit some strikes. He went for the Fameasser. Spears blocked and rolled Billy up for a two count. Billy hit a deep six into a double down. 

The finish saw Billy miss a charge into the corner. Spears hit his C4 and pinned Gunn. 

**********

Final thoughts —

Unless you are a massive Billy Gunn fan or a Gunn family member, you can skip this.

Austin Gunn signs with All Elite Wrestling

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Austin Gunn has signed a contract with AEW.

Cody came out during AEW Dark tapings that took place tonight following AEW Dynamite and announced that Gunn had signed with the promotion. 

Austin Gunn has been working dark matches for the company recently. He teamed with his father Billy (who works as a producer for the company) last week taking on Santana and Ortiz. He teamed with his dad once again this week in another dark match, facing the team of Shawn Spears and Preston Vance.

Gunn, 25, started wrestling in 2017 and has been working on the independent scene since then. Back in August, he competed in the 2019 Top Prospect Tournament for Ring of Honor, losing to Dak Draper in the finals back on September 28.

He also took part in the first All Out Battle Royal back in 2018, which was eventually won by Flip Gordon under a mask.

WWE announces D-Generation X for 2019 Hall of Fame class

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE has finally made their first official announcement for this year’s Hall of Fame class.

After an advertisement about the news went around overnight, WWE announced via ESPN today that D-Generation X will be inducted into their Hall of Fame over WrestleMania 35 weekend. Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Chyna, Road Dogg, Billy Gunn, and X-Pac will be the six D-X members going into the Hall of Fame.

“I think it’s the most meaningful for us all to go in together and to be recognized together,” Triple H told ESPN about both versions of D-X going into the Hall of Fame. “Because I think both groups were [just] as impactful.”

This will be Michaels’ second induction and the first for Triple H, Chyna, Road Dogg, Gunn, and X-Pac.

Chyna is being posthumously inducted nearly three years after her death. Triple H spoke to ESPN about her joining the Hall of Fame: “It’d be tough to pick a female that was more impactful on the business. She did something that was completely so out of left field that it wasn’t even being considered when we first brought it up for her to come in. It wasn’t even a consideration… it wasn’t an easy thing, and against all odds she did all of that. She earned everybody’s trust. She won over the fans. She won over the boys. She did all of it.”

“From that standpoint, absolutely 100 percent deserves to be in the Hall of Fame, and should probably be more than once — as a group, but individually as well,” Triple H said. “There’s more complexity to that than meets the eye, but here we are. I’m just happy that it’s here. I’m happy for her family, the people that she was close to, that hopefully this is super meaningful to them. I know it would be to her. It’s a great thing — very deserving.”

It was announced last month that Gunn is working as a producer for All Elite Wrestling.

Rick Rude, who was part of WWE’s Hall of Fame class of 2017, isn’t going in again with D-X.

The D-X name was most recently used on WWE television when Triple H & Michaels teamed against The Undertaker & Kane at Crown Jewel in November 2018.

This year’s Hall of Fame ceremony is taking place at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York on Saturday, April 6. Tickets will go on sale this Friday (February 22) at noon Eastern time.

Austin Gunn joins father in All In Over Budget Battle Royal

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Ahead of the show taking place later today, another participant has been confirmed for All In’s Over Budget Battle Royale.

It was announced last night that Austin Gunn will be joining his father in the match. Austin is the son of Billy Gunn and has begun a career in professional wrestling.

The battle royal was announced as having 15 participants and is for an ROH World Championship shot against Jay Lethal later in the night. Moose, Rocky Romero, Colt Cabana, Jordynne Grace, Ethan Page, Brian Cage, Billy Gunn, Jimmy Jacobs, Marko Stunt, Brandon Cutler, Punishment Martinez, and Austin Gunn are the 12 battle royal entrants that have been revealed.

All In: Zero Hour will air exclusively on WGN America at 6 p.m. Eastern time, with the battle royal and The Briscoes vs. Frankie Kazarian & Scorpio Sky airing on that portion of the broadcast. The four-hour main card will then air live via pay-per-view, Fite TV, and HonorClub.

Here’s the updated card for All In:

  • The Young Bucks & Kota Ibushi vs. Rey Mysterio, Fenix & Bandido
  • Kenny Omega vs. Pentagon Jr.
  • NWA Worlds Heavyweight Champion Nick Aldis defending against Cody Rhodes
  • Kazuchika Okada vs. Marty Scurll
  • ROH World Champion Jay Lethal defending against the winner of the Over Budget Battle Royale
  • Madison Rayne vs. Tessa Blanchard vs. Britt Baker vs. Chelsea Green
  • Hangman Page vs. Joey Janela (Chicago Street Fight)
  • “Arrow” star Stephen Amell vs. Christopher Daniels
  • Over Budget Battle Royale for an ROH World Championship shot against Jay Lethal later in the night (All In: Zero Hour)
  • The Briscoes vs. Frankie Kazarian & Scorpio Sky (All In: Zero Hour)

Billy Gunn added to the All In Over Budget Battle Royal

Posted on by Bryan Rose

The next participant in All In’s pre-show battle royal is none other than Billy Gunn.

Gunn was the seventh participant announced for All In’s Over Budget battle royal. He joins Brian Cage (who was announced for the battle royal yesterday), Jordynne Grace, Ethan Page, Colt Cabana, Moose and Rocky Romero. There will be fifteen competitors overall.

The winner of the pre-show battle royal will get a shot at the Ring of Honor world title later on the main card. The pre-show itself, called Zero Hour, will air on WGN America starting at 6 p.m. EDT. The Briscoes taking on the SCU contingent of Christopher Daniels and Scorpio Sky will also take place on the pre-show. Other names slated include Beretta, Chucky T, Dalton Castle and Moose.

All In will take place on September 1 at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates, IL. FITE.TV will stream the event, and it will also be available on pay-per-view.

NJPW World Tag League day 3 results: Tencozy vs. Rush and Tetsuya Naito

Posted on by Bryan Rose

We are already at the third day of World Tag League action, this time held in Guma. You’ll find prelim results, thoughts on the tournament matches and latest rankings below. Let’s do this!

Prelim results:

– Teruaki Kanemitsu defeated Hirai Kawato after Kawato submitted to the Boston Crab.

– Katsuyori Shibata, Jushin Thunder Liger, Yuji Nagata and Tiger Mask defeated Yoshitatsu, Billy Gunn, David Finlay and IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion KUSHIDA when Nagata pinned Finlay following the backdrop driver.

– SANADA, BUSHI and EVIL defeated Togi Makabe, Tomoaki Honma and Ryusuke Taguchi when SANADA submitted Taguchi with the skull end.

– IWGP Champion Kazuchika Okada, Hirooki Goto, Tomohiro Ishii and YOSHI-HASHI defeated Kenny Omega, Bad Luck Fale, Chase Owens and Bone Soldier when Goto pinned Bone Soldier with the GTR.

Main show results:

– Yujiro Takahashi and Hangman Page defeated Manabu Nakanishi and Henare

Henare and Nakanishi come off as a good team based on the look alone while Henare comes off as a total heavyweight, at least by New Japan standards. He was worked on a lot throughout this match. This was an okay match since Henare did most of the work on his team. Yujiro got the win with the Pimp Juice DDT on Henare.

– IWGP Tag Team Champions Guerillas of Destiny defeated Leland Race and Brian Breaker

The action was fine, but the crowd was dead for a lot of it. Breaker comes off as having something while Race is just kinda there, at least at this point in the tournament. Tonga took out Breaker and sent him to the outside. They ganged up on Race and leveled him with the Guerilla Warfare for the win.

– War Machine defeated Hiroshi Tanahashi and Juice Robinson

This ws a good match. War Machine is very good, Tanahashi provided the star power and Juice works hard. It all came together here. Juice was worked on for the bulk of it until Tanahashi made the hot tag. He kept beating on War Machine until he tired out and War Machine went back on the offensive. Juice came back but War Machine dominated him. They went for their wheelbarrow/springboard clothesline combo, but Juice rolled up Rowe for a cool nearfall. They levelled Juice with a double chokeslam but he still kicked out. They finally hit Fallout to end the match.

– Tencozy defeated Rush and IWGP I-C Champion Tetsuya Naito

This was a pretty standard main event. Rush took out Kojima early outside of the ring and both Ingobernables worked on him for a long time. Then, Kojima just fired back with a lariat and pinned Rush — an anticlimactic finish. This was fine, but nothing special. Tencozy then cut a promo to close out the show.

War Machine/Tanahashi and Juice was great, and the show was fine overall, but there’s nothing here fans absolutely need to watch.

Current Standings as of 11/20:

Block A:

  • War Machine [4]
  • Tencozy [4]
  • Brian Breaker/Leland Race [2]
  • Rush/Tetsuya Naito [2]
  • Hangman Page/Yujiro Takahashi [2]
  • Guerillas of Destruction [2]
  • Henare/Manabu Nakanishi [0]
  • Hiroshi Tanahashi/Juice Robinson [0]

Block B:

  • Billy Gunn/Yoshitatsu [2]
  • EVIL and SANADA [2]
  • Hirooki Goto/Tomohiro Ishii [2]
  • Great Bash Heel [2]
  • Bad Luck Fale/Bone Solider [0]
  • Chase Owens/Kenny Omega [0]
  • Katsuyori Shibata/Yuji Nagata [0]
  • Kazuchika Okada/YOSHI-HASHI [0]

WOL 11/13: Billy Gunn drug test failure details, Dr. Lucha interview, tons of news!

Posted on by Bryan Alvarez

Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Mike Sempervive returns today with tons of news including the latest on Billy Gunn’s drug test failure and release from WWE with additional details, Royal Rumble tickets gone already, the newest UFC video game and a preview of this weekend, plus Dr. Lucha joins us to talk Alberto Del Rio, the original Mistico getting pinned already, the status of Cibernetico and more! A fun show as always so check it out~!

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Billy Gunn fired by WWE for PED failure

Posted on by Dave Meltzer

Monty “Kip” Sopp, better known as Billy Gunn, was fired today as a trainer by WWE due to testing positive for elevated levels of testosterone in a powerlifting meet from July 25.

Gunn’s drug test at the meet came up with a 37-1 testosterone/epitestosterone ratio, well over the 4-1 limit, and he was suspended from powerlifting for four years.

Billy Gunn, 52, had returned to WWE as a trainer in 2012 after several years away from the organization. He worked as an agent and a trainer, and had a New Age Outlaws nostalgia run in recent years, winning the tag team titles with Road Dogg in early 2014.

He had done occasional run-ins at the end of some NXT shows with he and the babyface wrestlers ending shows doing DX crotch chops. Most recently, he had appeared on television as one of the trainers on Tough Enough and Breaking Ground.

WWE officials were not aware of him competing as a powerlifter until a few weeks ago or his suspension from that sport.