Billy Gunn, a WWE Hall of Famer and current All Elite Wrestling (AEW) star and coach, appeared at the For The Love of Wrestling convention in Manchester last weekend. During a Q&A with host SoCal Val, Gunn talked about his physical condition, the rising careers of his sons Austin and Colten Gunn, and revisited key moments of his long wrestling career. He also reflected on the enthusiastic response from international wrestling fans and AEW’s growing popularity abroad.
Gunn noted a clear difference in how wrestling fans in the United Kingdom show their appreciation compared to audiences in the United States.
“It’s always awesome to come over here, because the difference between the fans over here is they all appreciate it so much,”
he said.
“The people here are always amazing. Just anywhere over here is really good.”
This enthusiasm translates into strong support for AEW events and merchandise, something Gunn said had not surprised him.
“I know they’re coming, because they just enjoy what we do,”
he explained.
“That’s the cool thing about coming over here, is you never have to worry about that, because they’re coming.”
The Growth of The Gunns and Billy’s Plans for Retirement
A large part of the discussion focused on Gunn’s sons, Austin and Colten, who perform as the tag team The Gunns in AEW. Gunn emphasized that their success is primarily due to their own dedication rather than any inherited advantages.
“It’s not my genes, it’s their work ethic,”
he stated.
“They work for, everything they got. And I appreciate when I hear most people come up and talk about them, which is amazing to me, because they are extremely talented. They are going to be huge stars.”
On the topic of when he might step away from wrestling, Gunn revealed that his retirement depends largely on his sons’ readiness to operate independently.
“As soon as they do that, I can retire because they won’t. They won’t need me anymore,”
he noted. He added a touch of emotion, saying,
“Every time I see them, I go, ‘Can I retire today? Now?’ How about now? Now, but not yet.”
Watching his sons compete often touches him deeply:
“Half the time I’ll see, if you can’t see, I’m like, sitting on the side crying like a big baby, watching my kids run.”
Maintaining Physical Fitness at 60
At 60 years old, Billy Gunn continues to prioritize physical fitness, relying on consistency and discipline rather than secrets or shortcuts.
“It’s not hard at all. It’s just the work you want to put in,”
he said.
“It’s consistency, it’s eating right, and it’s going to the gym, and that’s it. It’s a priority for me because it’s something that I love to do.”
Gunn highlighted his commitment to maintaining this routine no matter how hectic his travel schedule may be.
“I never skip whether I fly or anything. You just have to put the work in. And I never make excuses why I can’t do it.”
Surprisingly, he feels at his best now in both mind and body.
“I’m at my best now, because I was just a young [wrestler] trying to do everything all at once,”
he explained.
“Now I feel like I’m just a little bit smarter, a little bit wiser, and I like what I’m doing today, and I feel like I feel amazing.”
Injuries and Endurance Throughout His Career
Gunn candidly discussed the physical toll that wrestling has taken on his body over the years, citing a torn shoulder as his most severe injury. He described a specific incident where he tore his shoulder performing his finishing move on Bubba Ray Dudley while he was standing on a table.
“My last big one was my shoulder when I tore my shoulder in half. I had Bubba up on the table, and I hit him with my finish when he was standing on the table… the only problem with that is the landing. The landing was really bad. It just blew my shoulder in half,”
Gunn recalled.
He also recounted a rare injury during a match with The Godwins when his thumb was partially torn from his hand after getting caught in wrestler Henry’s suspenders.
“I ripped my thumb off my hand… My thumb that is right here, was right here. I got it caught in Henry’s suspenders,”
Gunn said.
“When I looked, I went, ‘Hey, that’s not supposed to be there, right?’ Even putting it back was even weirder.”
Despite these painful episodes and a broken neck sustained in 1995, Gunn considers himself fortunate relative to many others.
Remembering Key Career Highlights and Partnerships
Billy Gunn reflected on the highs and lows of his career, including his 1999 King of the Ring victory and the challenging promo segment by The Rock he faced the next night on WWE RAW. He found humor in the moment, saying,
“It was funny. It was hilarious.”
He suggested his tournament win was not originally planned and likely a last-minute management decision:
“I don’t even think I was supposed to win King of the Ring in 99. I think somebody got in trouble. And it was just like, ‘Who do we put it on? Oh, there’s Billy. Let’s put it on him.’”
Despite the unexpected nature of the title win, Gunn did not believe it slowed his momentum.
“I think I got my own way… They put it on me. I did what they asked me to do. So they can never say that I didn’t do business.”
When asked to name his favorite tag team partner from a list including Bart Gunn, Chuck Palumbo, and Road Dogg, he chose Road Dogg without hesitation.
“It has to be Road Dogg. He is my favorite. He is my favorite of all time because he was part of one of the best times in wrestling,”
Gunn emphasized. Additionally, Gunn shared his ideal five-man Survivor Series team, selecting Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Undertaker, Triple H, Shawn Michaels, and himself.
Wrapping up the conversation, Gunn expressed humility about his legacy, choosing not to see himself as a superstar but rather as fortunate to continue performing at a high level.
“I consider myself fortunate… I’m just lucky to do what I do and still be able to do it at a high level.”
What Lies Ahead for Billy Gunn and His Legacy
Billy Gunn’s comments at the Manchester convention reveal a wrestler deeply invested in both his own physical longevity and the next generation represented by his sons Austin and Colten. His retirement appears tied closely to their progress and independence in AEW, suggesting that fans may see him remain active until they no longer require his guidance. His continued physical excellence and passion for the sport make it clear that Gunn still loves being in the ring, even as he contemplates when to finally step away.
Beyond his personal journey, Gunn’s reflections on injuries, career milestones, and partnerships shed light on the resilience and adaptability necessary to sustain a multi-decade career in professional wrestling. His respect for international audiences and AEW’s expansion into new regions also underscores the evolving landscape of wrestling entertainment today.
