Posts Tagged ‘Billy Gunn’

Cena Nowhere To Be Found At Raw, Gunn Meets Ziggler, More

— The official Twitter feed of the WWE Insider says John Cena is nowhere to be found at tonight’s Raw SuperShow in Miami, Florida.

The account stated Monday evening, “We haven’t heard from @JohnCena since his loss to @TheRock at #WrestleMania, and he’s nowhere to be found at #Raw.”

— Former WWE Superstar Billy Gunn was backstage at WrestleMania XXVIII as he posted a photo online of himself with the WWE Superstar most often compared to him, Dolph Ziggler.

Gunn is very high on the “Show Off.” He said of the Raw wrestler last November in an interview: “I think he’s got great potential, and I think he’s one of there best talents WWE has. A little bit longer and he will be a big star, I think he is extremely talented.”

— Low Ki, formerly known as Kaval in WWE, will compete on an upcoming New Japan Pro Wrestling tour.

The New Age Outlaws In WWE ’13, SmackDown Backstage Fallout

— Road Dogg revealed on Twitter that the New Age Outlaws will be featured in THQ’s WWE ’13. When asked about the upcoming video game, which is rumored to focus on “Attitude Era” stars, he responded, “Already did the voiceovers.” He added that Billy Gunn was involved with the process.

— Watch the Photos of a Bella Twin’s wardrobe malfunction of Backstage Fallout, and find out what Sheamus really thinks of his WrestleMania opponent’s girlfriend. Plus, learn the real reason why Eve blew Zack Ryder off. Also featured are The Bella Twins and Jack Swagger.

— WWE is holding a Raw live event tonight at the Coliseo de Puerto Rico in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Bell time is 8:00 p.m. Meanwhile, a SmackDown event will be held at the E. A. Diddle Arena in Bowling Green, Kentucky.

Billy Gunn Discusses State Of Wrestling, WrestleMania Memories

Former WWE Superstar Billy Gunn appeared on Busted Open with Doug Mortman and Dave LaGreca, which airs Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. on Sirius 92 and XM 207. Highlights from his interview are as follows:

WrestleReunion: “Yeah, it’s gonna be a lot of fun! I mean, there’s gonna be so much stuff going on in Miami because of not only WrestleReunion, Wrestlemania, everything else; it’s gonna be crazy. But it’s gonna be a lot of fun—I mean—once me and Brian (Road Dog Jesse James] get together, not even Wrestlemania can overshadow us!”

Tag team wrestling today: “Right now, I think tags everywhere are a little weak, especially WWE. If you know anything about that company you know they’re not high on tags anyway; it’s all about singles and who their big single run can be.”

Downfall of tag team wrestling: “It’s just something that’s baffled me, and it’s baffled everybody that I’ve talked to, and they always ask the same question: “Why are tags not all that prevalent up there?” And I can’t ever answer that, I can’t ever give a good reason. One may be because there’s no good stand-out tag-teams. Or maybe it’s guys don’t wanna be in tags anymore because everyone is so worried about themselves that they don’t wanna have to worry about somebody else. Because when you’re in a tag, you’ve gotta at least gel a little bit for it to work anyway. I don’t have a great answer for that, I just wish they would put more emphasis in the tag division.”

On state of wrestling: “I think it’s picking up a little bit. Poor John Cena (not “poor John Cena” money-wise), but poor John Cena! He’s carried that company for a long time. No matter what anybody says, no matter what people say about him or what they do, he has carried that company on his back a long time. Now, they’re kind of stirring up the pot. I know they’ve done Wrestlemania a year out with him and [The] Rock; they have to bring something with that strong of a personality to kinda kick things back in gear ‘cause it’s getting a little stale. And they started doing that with the CM Punk. Punk started talking crap about the company and everything which, in turn, stirred some question about what was going on. So people started tuning in and getting into it a little bit more. In the Attitude Era, you weren’t getting just wrestling; you were getting all kinds of crazy stuff. It was what it was called: entertainment. You were entertained from the minute that Raw started to the minute it was over to making you want to want more. That’s what the show was, that’s what Raw was all about in the Attitude Era: what’s making you want more. They would leave you hanging to make you just chomp at the bit all week to make you tune in to the next week. Now you watch the show like you’re watching an episode of “The Flinstones” or something. There’s nothing to keep your attention, or nothing to make you go Woah! Now this is what wrestling is! Y’know, we’re all parents now… they’re constantly telling their kids about the Attitude Era—The Rock, Stone Cold, DX, Mankind. There’s a whole slew of people! Now when you mention wrestling it’s John Cena. Not that that’s bad, but that’s where you get lost; there’s just nothing really interesting about the show.”

On WrestleMania: ” This is the one most spectacular thing I’ve ever been involved with. Starting from right after the [Royal] Rumble, you start getting goosebumps because it is that good, it is that much fun, it is that entertaining. It’s like an event that you’ll never, ever, ever experience in your life that you don’t go to live. You can watch it on TV, but until you’re there, you have no idea how fun it is. Wrestlemania is the number one show of the year and they prove it because they hold nothing back. They let it all rip… It is phenomenal. It is probably the one greatest thing on Earth, to me anyway.”

WWE Reference To Undertaker’s Hair, WWE Returning To Mexico

— The March 2012 issue of WWE Magazine appears to feature an inside reference concerning The Undertaker’s hair (which he no longer has because he is shaved bald). While explaining his near year long hiatus from WWE in their WrestleMania XXVIII feature, they wrote, “Despite (beating Triple H) by submission with the Hell’s Gate and extending his epic streak, The Deadman was unable to leave the arena on his own. And no one has seen hide nor hair of him for nearly an entire year.”

The Undertaker has not removed the hood covering his bald head during his appearances on Raw because WWE creative is saving the moment for his Hell in a Cell encounter with Triple H at WrestleMania XXVIII.

— WWE has announced that they will be holding Raw live events in Mexico this May. Dates and locations are as follows: May 24 at Multipurpose Centre in Hermosillo; May 25 at Monumental Bullring in Aguascalientes; May 26 at Vicente Fernandez Gomez Arena in Guadalajara.

— Former WWE star Billy Gunn wrote on Twitter regarding his one year of sobriety, “Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all the fans and specialy my wife for hanging in there for my one year sobriety.”

Mark Henry Heading To Raw?, Gunn Celebrates Sobriety, JTG

– Could Mark Henry be heading to Raw? The official website of the Thompson-Boling Arena is advertising the SmackDown star vs. John Cena in a Special Challenge Match for a Raw live event taking place at the venue on May 5. All other talent advertised for the show are members of the Raw roster. A Triple Threat Match featuring Alberto Del Rio, CM Punk and Chris Jericho is also scheduled.

– Former WWE star Billy Gunn celebrated one year of sobriety last week. His wife wrote Saturday on his Twitter account:

“*HACKED BY YOUR WIFE* Congrats on your ONE YEAR Sobriety! One day and one step at a time! you got this baby!! love you!”

Gunn, whose real name is Monty Sopp, has admitted to drug use in interviews. His lengthy tenure with WWE ended in 2004 following a visit to a rehabilitation facility.

– Seldom seen Raw Superstar JTG is on the road this week with WWE. He did job duty to Ryback (a/k/a Skip Sheffield) at Raw live events on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

TNA Knockouts Appearing In Indy Film, Mickie To Face Melissa

— TNA Knockouts Brooke Tessmacher, Gail Kim and Winter and former WWE Superstars Billy Gunn and Chavo Guerrero are slated to appear in a mixed martial arts themed independent film set for release in the summer 2013, according to a press release issued by SaintSinner Entertainment and Jaunted Productions.

The synopsis for Double Fury reads: “Double Fury is a martial arts action packed tale of two estranged brothers brought back together after their father is murdered by a megalomaniacal madman who’s looking for a volatile package in one of their possession that could destroy all that they hold dear.”

Details on the film are available here.

— With the retirement of Malia Hosaka, Traditional Championship Wrestling has announced that Mickie James’ replacement opponent at their April 7, 2012 show in Fort Smith, Arksansas will be Cheerleader Melissa (a/k/a Alissa Flash). It’s being promoted as the first time the two have wrestled a singles match against each other in the United States.

— Brooke Tessmacher has been announced to appear at WrestleReunion 8, which takes place April 13-15, 2012 at the Doubletree Toronto Airport 655 Dixon Rd. Toronto, Ontario Canada.

Melina Says She’s Has Not Joined TNA, Anderson To Face MVP

— Former WWE performer Melina Perez denied rumors she has joined TNA Wrestling.

She tweeted Wednesday, “Everyone is so funny. I am not in TNA. If I go anywhere I would tell you all first!”

Her message is in response to a masked female combatant appearing at Tuesday’s Impact Wrestling taping in Orlando, Florida.

— Mr. Anderson is advertised face former WWE star MVP at Champions Showcase 2012, which takes place February 4, 2012 in Manila, Philippines at Smart Araneta Coliseum. More details are available here.

Other advertised talent include Carlito, Chris Masters, Shelton Benjamin, Snitsky, Luke Gallows, Shane Helms, Rhino, Daivari, Jimmy Yang, Billy Gunn, April Hunter and Jillian Hall.

— Jesse Neal’s first post-TNA appearance takes place this Saturday in Orlando, Florida for I Believe in Wrestling. He is scheduled to face J.D. Amazing.

Billy Gunn On Why He Continues To Wrestle, Ziggler Comparisons

Arda Ocal (@arda_ocal) and Jimmy Korderas (@jimmykorderas) of #AftermathRadio on thescore.com and iTunes chat with former WWE Superstar and 10 time Tag Team Champion Billy Gunn (@RealBillyGunn). Highlights:

His wrestling career, what keeps his career going at the independent level (including this weekend where he will appear for www.CWIwrestling.com): “I still enjoy what I do. I love what I do because its probably the one thing that I am really good at. It’s hard to really give up. I still love seeing the people, I still love getting out in front of people, I still love seeing the fans, I still love what this business has to offer ”

How he was never a fan of pro wrestling growing up and the business found him – taking about the Harris Brothers beating him up for 4 hours straight in the beginning of his training: “I never watched wrestling kid, never wanted to be a wrestler, never wanted to get in this business. I just fell into this business, and then again the tag team stuff that just fell in my lap. It was something that was so exciting to me.”

How far was he willing to go in that scenario as a performer with Billy and Chuck: “As far as I needed to, cause it was my job. People look at whole scenario different than I do. I look at it as it was my job, they came to me and Chuck and said were gonna go this direction.. I would have gone as far as needed.”

Comparisons of him to current WWE Superstar Dolph Ziggler – does he agree? Also on Dolph’s in ring skills as a performer for WWE now: “I think hes got great potential, and I think he’s one of there best talents WWE has. A little bit longer and he will be a big star, I think he is extremely talented.”

Gunn also comments on the possibility of a New Age Outlaws reunion in WWE, being a singles competitor, his opinion on tag team wrestling today, and more. The 30-minute+ interview is available here.

Bourne Issues Statement, WWE Upset With Twitter Response

— Evan Bourne stated the following on Twitter after WWE announced they had suspended the Raw Superstar for 30 days effective immediately for his first violation of their Talent Wellness Program.

“Love you guys! I’ll be back in a flash. AirBoom will not be derailed!”

— WWE officials were upset with the tepid response towards their Twitter trending efforts Monday night during Raw. No WWE related terms trended until the show’s conclusion, which was only brief.

— In today’s birthdays, Raw Superstar Tyler Reks turns 33 years old, former WWE Superstar Billy Gunn turns 48 years old and WWE Hall of Famer Bobby Heenan turns 67 years old.

source: F4WOnline.com

WWE Profiles Stacy Keibler, Gunn & Ziggler Praise Each Other

— Hollywood is abuzz after photographs surfaced of actor George Clooney and his rumored love interest, Stacy Keibler. The official WWE website has posted an article profiling the former WWE Diva with the sub-headline reading: “Who is this long-legged beauty, and how did she launch her career with WWE?”

Keibler stated two years ago during an interview with The Baltimore Sun that she had her management team inquire WWE about guest hosting the November 30, 2009 episode of Monday Night Raw emanating from her hometown of Baltimore, Maryland, but were ignored.

— Billy Gunn praised Dolph Ziggler on Twitter, who has drawn comparisons to the former WWE Superstar over the years.

“I think your doing a great job,” Gunn wrote to Ziggler. “Big fan of your work.”

Ziggler replied, “Thanks a lot, was always a big fan of yours!”

Billy Gunn Apologizes To Triple H For Past Harsh Comments

Former WWE star Billy Gunn appeared on World Wrestling Insanity, which is available at ClubWWI.com. Highlights from his interview are as follows:

With a career spanning more than two decades, Kip “Billy Gunn” Sopp has had plenty of high points. To many fans of the WWF Attitude Era, Gunn is most remembered as DX’s “Mr. Ass”. Alongside Road Dogg, X-Pac, Chyna, and Triple H, Billy created some unforgettable TV moments. However, when he left the company in 2004, he made waves with some harsh comments pointed at his former DX stable mate Triple H. He lashed out at the Game and appeared to blame him for his WWE departure. Years removed from those comments, James Guttman asks Bad Ass Billy about those stinging shots. Gunn takes responsibility and explains some of his reasoning to ClubWWI.com members:

“Know what it was? I didn’t want to take the blame for what I had done- things that I was doing, things that (made it so) they couldn’t keep me around. I just couldn’t take it that (WWE) called me and said – not that this matters – but they had said that when I’m done wrestling, “there will always be a spot here for you as an agent or something like that.” I love helping other people. I love teaching now. I love trying to give away what I have if anyone is interested in knowing a little of what I know. My frustration came out on the one person that was the main guy there and that was Hunter. I just opened fire on him because it was all about me and not wanting to take responsibility for me and my actions.”

Guttman asks Gunn if his position has changed on Hunter. ClubWWI.com members are familiar with wrestlers unloading on the authority figures in WWE, but it’s rare that someone owns up to saying something they regret in hindsight. But that’s what Billy does…

“Has my position changed with him? Yeah. It has. Do I want to pick up the phone every day and call him to apologize? Yeah. Because it was something I did out of selfishness and the selfish person that I was back then. Not that I blame it on anything, but I had a bunch of things going on in my life that was really not that good. I took it out on him and, like I said, I wasn’t taking responsibility for my own actions. That’s what I did.

“I lashed out at him and everybody I could and I had somebody who was willing to listen and let me go on a live shoot tape to say whatever I wanted. Why would I not? It was all about making me look better and making someone else look bad. I know now that people were going, “Yeah, well it’s really just you. It’s not anyone else.” So yeah. I regret what I did then and for sure now because I’m sure something like that is keeping me from being back there training people. I wish I could change it, but I can’t change it. So I just have to live with the things I’ve done and the actions that I do from here on forward.”

Billy Gunn goes in-depth about many moments from his career throughout the interview. But now that he’s no longer tied to WWE or TNA, it leaves him time to meet and interact with fans. Doing so at Indy shows and autograph signings, Gunn gets to answer many questions fans may have. However, it’s social media that lets him connect with those he credits for making his career so memorable – the fans. He then tells ClubWWI.com members and fans all over the world how they too can pick his brain and discuss the business with him.

“I appreciate it all. I just started this new Twitter thing and it’s @realbillygunn and started Twittering. And it’s amazing to me because I can literally stay on that thing all day long. I’m a Twitter freak now. People ask me a lot of questions and I get back to them and answer their questions because, as we know, (fans) ask (wrestlers) a lot of questions and nobody ever answers anything or they don’t get a straight answer. I appreciate everybody that followed me and everybody who thinks I did do something in this business and that I am worth something. I appreciate it all and I honestly do. I wish I could literally answer every single person that had a question for me. I just don’t think I have that much time left (laughs) to do that. But if you go on Twitter and follow me and have a question, I promise I will try to answer it. I literally stay on the phone for hours answering questions – and it’s usually the same question just asked a little different – and that’s my way to give back to people because if it wasn’t for the fans, there’d be no me.”

Backstage VIDEO: Billy Gunn Lays Out A Match At Indy Show

Sean “X-Pac” Waltman posts a backstage video of Billy Gunn laying out a match with two indy workers. It’s an interesting look at how matches are put together.

Billy Gunn Says He Should Be In HOF, Criticizes WWE Product

During an interview with The Kingston Wigg Standard, former WWE star Billy Gunn was asked if he’s ever looked back and realized how significant his place in WWE history is.

“No I really don’t,” Gunn said. “I’m extremely glad that I was part of that and that I had a partner and people around me that we could reach that level.

“I guess the only thing I really think of, is that when people look back, or think about me, that I just did the best that I could. It really wasn’t all about me. It was about making other people good, or helping other people, or that at least my work was good and not crappy.”

Gunn also feels he, Road Dogg, and Sean Waltman deserve a spot in the WWE Hall of Fame.

“I think we do,” said Gunn. “I still think we have a place up there to work, not work wrestling-wise, but work to help the younger guys coming up. Do I think we deserve the hall of fame? Yeah, of course we do.”

Gunn also believes he can bring back an element of fun back to WWE, something he feels is lacking today. The article notes that with the recent returns of 1990s stars such as The Rock and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin to WWE, Gunn’s return could be inevitable.

“People are not really interested in that show too much,” he said, referring to Monday Night Raw. “I don’t want to say that for a fact, but there are really no stand-out guys. I mean, how long has John Cena been carrying that company? Forever.

“They’re trying to get some of these guys back that the older generation, or the ’90s generation, wants to see. There is really nobody on that show anymore that they want to see who is really a standout. Face it, The Rock, Stone Cold, DX, not only was it the wrestling, but it was the skits, or the attitude and all of that. They were just fun to watch. Not only the wrestling part, but the funny stuff. You never knew what we were going to do. They tuned in every Monday night just to see what kind of silly s–t we were going to pull off.”

Gunn also discussed burning bridges with WWE officials after he was released in November 2004 and said he should have been mad at himself. The full article is available here.

Joey Styles Takes Shot At Kurt Angle, Billy Gunn Attends WM

— Joey Styles took a shot at Kurt Angle tonight on Twitter for claiming that his account was hacked, writing: “I’m watching Jack Swagger apply the Ankle Lock to The King and wondering if anyone’s twitter account will be hacked.”

CM Punk wrote earlier today, “My twitter account was hacked”, is the new: “I’m a sloppy drunk douche”.

— Former WWE star Billy Gunn was backstage at WrestleMania XXVII last night.

— Chris Jericho appears on the syndicated show Rachael Ray Tuesday to discuss Dancing with the Stars.

source: PWInsider.com

WWE Signs Mistico, Ex-WWE Star Denies Rumble Return Rumors

— According to the latest issue of Super Luchas magazine in Mexico, CMLL star Mistico has signed a contract with World Wrestling Entertainment.

Mistico is pictured on the magazine’s cover and the headline indicates Mistico saying that he has signed with WWE.

Mistico took part in a tryout before company officials last year and impressed.

Since 2006, Místico has been the top babyface in CMLL and the biggest box office draw in Mexico.

— Former WWE talent Kip James (a/k/a Billy Gunn) denied rumors of a possible appearance at tonight’s Royal Rumble pay-per-view.

“No I will NOT be at the Royal Rumble,” James wrote on Twitter. “@DavidHerro didn’t get me booked. #ThanksPal.”