Wrestle Pedia
WWE Hall of Famer Billy Gunn has seen a resurgence in his career as of late thanks to his partnership with The Acclaimed. However, he is getting on with age and has now revealed when he would consider retirement.
In July 2023, Billy Gunn appeared to have retired from wrestling after leaving his boots in the ring during an episode of Collision. However, this retirement was short-lived as he reunited with The Acclaimed at All In, defeating The House of Black to become the new Trios Champions.
At 60 years old, Gunn continues to appear and compete regularly in AEW, showing no signs of slowing down. Despite knowing that his career won’t last forever, he remains focused on the present. While speaking to Chris Van Vliet, Gunn expressed uncertainty about his retirement timeline but give emphasis to the fact that he still brings value to the company and fans, as evidenced by their reactions.
Gunn mentioned that he still feels good overall, although he does have some physical issues like stress fractures in his back. These issues don’t hinder his performance significantly. While he acknowledges that he can’t compete at the same level as younger wrestlers like Will Ospreay, he believes his presence and the crowd’s response to him demonstrate his ongoing value to AEW.
“I wish I knew, I don’t feel too bad. But a lot of it is the way that I take care of myself. I mean, yeah, do I wake up and everything until I get moving? Yeah. I just found I have two stress fractures in my back, but they don’t stop me from doing what I do, it doesn’t hinder me, I can still do what I do at a pretty good level.
I mean, I’m not gonna go out there and go 25 minutes with Will [Ospreay], that ain’t happening. But do I still have equity in the company? Can I still bring something? Damn right I can because the minute I step out there those people go nuts and they start saying my name.”
Gunn also stated that he would consider retiring if the audience ever showed unanimous disapproval of his presence. He added that he has cut back on taking big bumps after a conversation with his sons about a previous spot.
“So as long as I bring value and it’s not, you know, if I go out there and they go, ‘Oh God really?’ The first time I hear that, I’ll quit. But as long as I can do something to help The Acclaimed or help the company or help my kids. Yeah, I’ll stay around. There’s no reason I can’t. I have no problem just being The Acclaimed’s sidekick. I love it. Because I get to run around, talk to people, act like a goofball interact when I want to and work every now and then. When I work it’s nothing crazy.
My kids asked me, they go, did you just take a triple powerbomb? Go What are you thinking? I went, I thought it would help the match. [They go] Okay, don’t ever do that again. I said okay. Well, I thought in my head it did. But as long as I can do that, and I feel good and it’s not a struggle. The only thing is a struggle is flying these days. Because I hate it. Yeah, but I mean, as long as I’m still as long as I’m still having fun and doing what I do, and I can bring something to help [then] I’m in, I’m good.”
The Acclaimed’s act with Billy Gunn is still one of the mainstays in AEW today, even if some disagree with that notion. Regardless, we’ll have to see when Gunn will retire for good.
Who do you think should be Billy Gunn’s final opponent? Let us know in the comments section below!
