Billy Gunn: A Career of Triumphs and Tribulations
William Gunn Jr, better known as Billy Gunn, is a former professional wrestler and current wrestling coach in the industry. He was born on November 1, 1963, in Orlando, Florida. Gunn is widely regarded as one of the most talented and versatile wrestlers of his generation, and his career has been marked by numerous triumphs and tribulations.
Gunn began his career as a professional wrestler in the late 1980s under the ring name of “Kip Winchester.” He quickly caught the attention of the World Wrestling Federation (WWF) and joined the promotion in 1993. He was a part of the “Smoking Gunns” tag team, alongside his kayfabe brother Bart Gunn, and they quickly rose to prominence, winning the WWF Tag Team Championship on three occasions.
In 1999, Gunn became a member of the famous wrestling faction, D-Generation X, alongside Shawn Michaels, Triple H, and Chyna. He achieved significant success with the group, winning the WWF Hardcore Championship twice and the WWF Intercontinental Championship once.
However, in 2000, Gunn’s career took a major hit after he was suspended for violating the WWF’s drug policy. He returned to the promotion in 2001 but was released shortly thereafter. Gunn then joined Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) in 2002, where he competed under the name “The Outlaw.”
In 2003, Gunn rejoined the WWE and became a part of the tag team, “Billy and Chuck,” alongside Chuck Palumbo. The duo won the WWE Tag Team Championship once before splitting up in 2002. Gunn then embarked on a singles career, but his run was cut short in 2004 after he was released from the WWE once again.
Despite the setbacks, Gunn continued to wrestle in various promotions, including TNA, Ring of Honor, and All Elite Wrestling (AEW). In 2013, he was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as a member of D-Generation X.
Today, Billy Gunn is a coach at AEW, where he is responsible for training and developing young wrestlers. He is widely respected in the industry for his knowledge, experience, and dedication to the sport.
In a recent interview with Chris Van Vliet at WrestleCon, Billy Gunn, an AEW veteran who holds a WWE Hall of Fame title, shared insights into his current state of mind concerning his health and physical well-being. He currently serves as a wrestler, coach, and manager of The Acclaimed in AEW.
On his positive energy for the wrestling business
“I don’t know like, because I love what I do. I mean how can you not enjoy what I do right now. I’m just having so — I mean, with the boys — my real kids and then my new adopted kids — I mean it’s just, right when I think I’m about to get out, I just switch and go somewhere else. And it’s like, ‘God why do people like me?’”
Why he is better conditioned now than ever before
I am, only because I put effort into it now. It’s like a lifestyle for me. So people don’t like — it’s never an easy question when they ask me, like, ‘What do you do?’ I go ‘It’s just a lifestyle. It’s not your lifestyle, it’s my lifestyle.’ So my lifestyle is what I enjoy. I love doing this nutrition stuff, I love playing with my workout stuff. Of course Mike, I talk about bad about him, but he’s awesome because he helps me with all my stuff. He got me to where I need to get to, and I’m just happy.
“I needed an outlet besides wrestling, because it just consumed everything that I did. So, a few years ago, when I kind of wanted to start doing shows and kind of get into what this is about instead of just eating everything that was in front of me and just go lift heavy weights and go ‘I’m good, I’m a bodybuilder now!’ It’s like, no, there’s way more into it than that.”
In conclusion, Billy Gunn’s career has been a mix of highs and lows, but his contributions to the world of professional wrestling are undeniable. From his early days as a member of the Smoking Gunns to his later success as a member of D-Generation X, Gunn has left an indelible mark on the sport. Today, as a coach and mentor, he continues to inspire the next generation of wrestlers to achieve greatness in the ring.
