Billy Gunn

Real name: Monty Sopp
Height: 6’4″
Weight: 254 lbs.
Date of birth: November 1, 1963
From: Austin, TX
Pro debut: 1992
Trained by: Jerry Gray
Finishing move: Famasser

Biography

– Billy and Bart Gunn formed the tag team the Smokin’ Gunns, managed by the sultry Sunny.
– At the 1993 King of the Ring, the Smokin’ Gunns and the Steiner Brothers won over Ted DiBiase, Irwin R. Schyster and the Headshrinkers.
– At the 1993 Summerslam, the Smokin’ Gunns and Tatanka beat Bam Bam Bigelow and the Headshrinkers.
– The Smokin’ Gunns defeated the 1-2-3 Kid (X-Pac) and Bob Holly in Palmetto, FL to win the WWF World Tag Team title on January 23, 1995.
– On September 25, 1995, WWF President Gorilla Monsoon stripped Diesel (Kevin Nash) and Shawn Michaels of the WWF Tag Team title, and returned the belts to the previous holders, Owen Hart and Yokozuna. The same night, The Smokin’ Gunns recaptured the title.
– The WWF World Tag Team title was vacated on February 15, 1996 when Gunn underwent surgery for a neck injury.
– The Smokin’ Gunns defeated The Godwinns to win their third WWF World Tag Team title on May 26, 1996, at an In Your House PPV in Florence, SC.
– The Gunns split up, and their manager Sunny also went in a new direction.
– At the Survivor Series ’96, the Gunn’s fought on opposite teams.
– Gunn pinned Flash Funk at Wrestlemania XIII.
– The Honkeytonk Man introduced a new portage, and many thought it would be the Disco Inferno, but it turned out to be Billy Gunn in his new persona, Rockabilly.
– Gunn formed a new tag team with the “Road Dogg” Jesse James called the New Age Outlaws. Both were struggling in singles competition, and the duo were a natural fit.
– Gunn teamed with Jesse James and the Godwinns to defeat the Headbangers and the Blackjacks at the 1997 Survivor Series.
– On the November 24, 1997 episode of “Raw,” the New Age Outlaws defeated The Road Warriors to win the WWF Tag Team title.
– At Wrestlemania XIV, it appeared that Cactus Jack and Terry Funk had won the WWF Tag Team title from the New Age Outlaws in a “dumpster” match. However, since Jack and Funk did not lock the Outlaws in the official “dumpster,” a rematch was ordered the next night on “Raw.” James and Gunn were victorious.
– The same night, Triple H announced that Shawn Michaels had “dropped the ball.” Triple H built a new DX with himself as the leader, joined by X-Pac and the New Age Outlaws.
– Kane and Mankind relieved the New Age Outlaws of the tag team title on the July 13, 1998 episode of “Raw.”
– The Outlaws reclaimed the WWF Tag Team title at the 1998 Summerslam, when Kane refused to team with Mankind.
– Gunn and James retained their tag team title at the 1998 Survivor Series by over coming Mark Henry and D-Lo Brown, and the Headbangers in a triple threat match.
– Corporation members Ken Shamrock and the Big Boss Man relieved the Outlaws of the WWF tag team title on the December 14, 1998 edition of “Raw.”
– On the May 2, 1999 edition of “Sunday Night Heat,” Gunn turned on X-Pac.
– On September 21, 1999, the New Age Outlaws defeated The Rock and Mankind for the WWF World Tag Team title in Dallas, TX.
– The Outlaws claimed their fifth WWF World Tag Team title on November 8, 1999, this time defeating Al Snow and Mankind for the gold.
– At the 1999 Survivor Series, the Outlaws successfully defended the WWF Tag Team title against Snow and Mankind.
– The New Age Outlaws defeated the Acolytes at the 2000 Royal Rumble in New York.
– In March 2000, Gunn underwent shoulder surgery.
– Gunn returned to television on the October 2, 2000 episode of “Raw.” He was welcomed back with a Stone Cold Stunner by Steve Austin.
– On the October 30, 2000 edition of “Raw,” Gunn lost the right to use the “Mr. Ass” name by dropping a challenge match to Steven Richards. Three nights later, Gunn became Billy G. (A short time later, his ring name changed to “The One” Billy Gunn).
– “The One” captured the Intercontinental title from Eddy Guerrero on the November 21, 2000 “Smackdown” television taping in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
– After losing a WWF European title to Matt Hardy on the June 10, 2001 edition of “Sunday Night Heat,” Gunn attacked a surprised Hardy.
– In late 2001, Gunn started teaming with Chuck Palumbo.
– At the February 19, 2002 “Smackdown” taping in Rockford, IL, Gunn and Palumbo defeated Tazz and Spike Dudley to capture the WWF World Tag Team title.
– On March 3, 2002, Billy and Chuck successfully defended the WWF World Tag Team title against the Dudley Boyz in Singapore.
– At Wrestlemania X-8 in Toronto, Billy and Chuck defeated the Dudley Boyz, the Hardy Boyz, and the APA to retain the WWF World Tag Team title.
– At Backlash ’02, Billy and Chuck defeated Al Snow and Maven to retain the WWF World Tag Team title.
– On June 4, 2002, Billy and Chuck captured the WWE World Tag Team title from Rikishi and Rico Costantino at the “Smackdown” taping Oklahoma City, OK.
– On the September 12, 2002 edition of “Smackdown,” Billy and Chuck’s “wedding ceremony” was interrupted by “Raw” GM Eric Bischoff (who was disguised as the old man officiating the event), Rosie and Jamal, and Rico, who turned against Billy and Chuck.
– Following an injury, Gunn was sent to Ohio Valley Wrestling on a rehab assignment in May 2003.
– Gunn made his return to WWE television on the June 12, 2003 episode of “Smackdown,” and defeated A-Train. A week later, Gunn was paired up with Torrie Wilson.
– In September 2004, Gunn was sent home by WWE to rehab.
– On November 1, 2004, WWE.COM announced that Gunn has been released.
– At the Against All Odds PPV, Sopp debuted in TNA doing a run-in during the show’s main event, Jeff Jarrett vs. Kevin Nash.
– At Destination X, The Outlaw defeated Kevin Nash in a “first blood – no DQ” match.
– At the 2005 Hard Justice PPV, The Outlaw and Monty Brown defeated Ron Killings and Diamond Dallas Page.
– TNA changed his ring name to No Surrender to Kip James. On the show, James and the Alpha Male defeated Ron Killings and Konnan in a “no disqualification” match.
– At the 2005 Unbreakable PPV, James and Monty Brown defeated Apollo and Lance Hoyt.
– The James Gang (Kip James and BG James) defeated David Young and Elix Skipper at the 2006 Final Resolution.
– At Against All Odds ’06, The James Gang defeated LAX (Homicide and Machete).
– The James Gang (Kip, BG James, and Bob Armstrong) defeated LAX (Homicide, Konnan and Machete) at Destination X ’06.
– The James Gang defeated Team 3D at Sacrifice ’06.
– At Victory Road ’06, The James Gang and Abyss defeated Team 3D.
– Voodoo Kin Mafia (the James Gang) defeated Kazarian, Bentley and Devine at Genesis ’06.
– VKM defeated Christy Hemme’s surprise team (The Heart Breakers) at Destination X.
– At Slammiversary ’07, VKM defeated Damaja and Basham.
– VKM again defeated Christy Hemme’s Damaja and Basham at the 2007 Victory Road PPV.
– Kip James was released by TNA in December 2009.
— On March 7, 2010, Sopp (now wrestling as Billy Gunn once again) defeated CWE Champion AJ Sanchez by DQ.
– On July 7, 2010, KIP & Bob Holly defeated WFX Tag Team Champions AJ Sanchez & Kevin Chevy by DQ.
– On June 2, 2012, Gunn defeated The Stro to win the APWA American Title.
– One week later, Gunn fought OCW Heavyweight Champion Kaden Assad to a no-contest.
– On June 23, 2012, Gunn defeated The Stro & Chris LeRusso in a 3-Way Match to retain the APWA American Title.
– At Raw 1000, Gunn returned to WWE in a D-Generation X segment.
– On September 8, 2012, Gunn entered the BBWF Aruba Title Tournament, defeating Rhino and Scott Steiner on his way to victory.
– In December 2012, Gunn was hired as a developmental trainer for WWE.
– On March 4, 2013, Gunn wrestled his first televised WWE match in a decade, teaming with Road Dogg to defeat Primo & Epico.
– On March 9, 2013, Gunn & Vince Brent defeated NWA Tennessee Tag Team Champions The Illuminati (Chris Richards & Tony Givens) by DQ.
– At the Royal Rumble ’14 pre-show, The New Age Outlaws (Billy Gunn & Road Dogg) defeated Cody Rhodes & Goldust to win the WWE Tag Team Titles, around 14 years after they last held the WWF equivalents.
– At Elimination Chamber ’14, The New Age Outlaws defeated The Usos (Jimmy & Jey) to retain the WWE Tag Team Titles.
– At WrestleMania XXX, The New Age Outlaws & Kane were quickly defeated by The Shield (Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns & Dean Ambrose). Since then, Gunn has returned to his off-camera roles.
– On November 13, 2015, Sopp was released from WWE after failing a test for performance-enhancing drugs. He had tested positive for elevated levels of testosterone at a powerlifting event on July 25, 2015, and had been suspended from the sport for four years.
– On December 26, 2015, Gunn defeated Ken Dixon to win the MCW Rage TV Title
– At House of Hardcore XII, Gunn defeated Sami Callihan
– At House of Hardcore XIII, Gunn defeated Bull James
– At House of Hardcore XVI, Gunn defeated Lance Hoyt
– Gunn was a surprise competitor in the 2016 NJPW Global Tag League, competing alongside Yoshitatsu
– Gunn competed on the pre-show New Japan Rumble at Wrestle Kingdom 11
– At House of Hardcore 27, Gunn defeated Jake Hager
– At House of Hardcore 29, Gunn defeated Mohammad Ali Vaez
– At House of Hardcore 30, Gunn defeated Bull James
– On October 7, 2017, Gunn defeated Brandon Scott to win the VCW Heavyweight Title
– At House of Hardcore 34, Gunn defeated MVP
– At House of Hardcore 37, Gunn & Tommy Dreamer defeated Nick Aldis & Joey Mercury
– On March 10, 2018, Gunn defeated Brandon Scott to retain the VCW Heavyweight Title
– On April 14, Gunn defeated Al Snow to retain the VCW Heavyweight Title
– At House of Hardcore 46, 47 and 48, Gunn defeated Lance Archer
– At House of Hardcore 49, Gunn, Bully Ray & Angelina Love defeated The Squad World Order (Kenny, Mikey & Randy)
– Gunn participated in the Over Budget Battle Royal prior to the ALL IN event
– At House of Hardcore 50, Gunn & Carlito defeated The Dawson Brothers (Dave & Zane)
– On January 8, 2019, Gunn was named as a producer for the new All Elite Wrestling promotion
– Gunn was inducted in to the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2019 as a member of D-Generation X
– Gunn participated in the Casino Battle Royale prior to AEW’s Double or Nothing event
– At the House of Hardcore/Impact Wrestling Digital Destruction event, Gunn, Tommy Dreamer & Jordynne Grace defeated Johnny Impact, Moose & Taya Valkyrie
– On September 1, 2019, The New Age Outlaws were voted into the GERWECK.NET Hall of Fame
– Gunn made his first AEW TV appearance in the Dynamite Dozen Battle Royal on the November 20, 2019 episode of Dynamite
– At House of Hardcore 56, Gunn defeated Wrecking Ball Legursky
– In January 2020, Gunn began teaming with his sons on AEW television
– On the 2021 Dynamite Thanksgiving special, The Gunn Club (Billy & Colten) defeated Bear Country (Bear Boulder & Bear Bronson)
– On March 11, 2022, Gunn defeated Larry D to win the vacant New South Heavyweight Title, but would lose it to Larry two weeks later
– On the Forbidden Door 2022 pre-show, The Gunn Club (Billy, Austin & Colten) & Max Caster defeated Kevin Knight, Alex Coughlin, Yuya Uemura & The DKC
– In the summer of 2022, Gunn abandoned his sons to align with The Acclaimed, who referred to him as ‘Daddy Ass’
– At Royal Rampage 2023, Gunn, Max Caster & Anthony Bowens defeated QTV (QT Marshall, Aaron Solo & Johnny TV)
– Following a defeat to The House Of Black in a Trios Match on AEW Collision in July 2023, Gunn left his boots in the ring, seemingly signalling his in-ring retirement
– Gunn returned to action the following month at All In, teaming with The Acclaimed (Max Caster & Anthony Bowens) to defeat The House Of Black (Malakai Black, Brody King & Buddy Matthews) and win the AEW Trios Titles
– On the following episode of Collision, Gunn & The Acclaimed defeated Angelo Parker, Matt Menard & Daniel Garcia to retain the AEW Trios Titles
– On the All Out 2023 pre-show, Gunn & The Acclaimed defeated Jeff Jarrett, Jay Lethal & Satnam Singh to retain the AEW Trios Titles
– At the 2023 Rampage Grand Slam special, Gunn & The Acclaimed defeated The Dark Order (Alex Reynolds, John Silver & Evil Uno) to retain the AEW Trios Titles
– A week later, Gunn & The Acclaimed defeated The Hardys (Matt & Jeff) and Isiah Kassidy to retain the AEW Trios Titles
– On the WrestleDream pre-show, Gunn & The Acclaimed defeated TMDK (Mikey Nicholls, Shane Haste & Bad Dude Tito) to retain the AEW Trios Titles
– On the 2023 Dynamite Anniversary special, Gunn & The Acclaimed defeated The Butcher, The Blade & Kip Sabian to retain the AEW Trios Titles
– On the following episode of Collision, Gunn & The Acclaimed defeated Boulder, Bronson & Jacked Jameson to retain the AEW Trios Titles
– At Battle Of The Belts VIII, Gunn & The Acclaimed defeated Matt Menard, Angelo Parker & Daniel Garcia to retain the AEW Trios Titles
– On the November 4 Collision, Gunn & The Acclaimed defeated Dalton Castle & The Boys to retain the AEW Trios Titles
– On the December 23 Collision, Gunn & The Acclaimed defeated Dante Martin, Darius Martin & Action Andretti to retain the AEW Trios Titles
– On the January 24, 2024 Dynamite, Gunn & The Acclaimed defeated The Mogul Embassy (Brian Cage, Bishop Kaun & Toa Liona) to retain the AEW Trios Titles
– On the Revolution 2024 pre-show, The Bang Bang Scissor Gang (Gunn, Anthony Bowens, Max Caster, Austin Gunn, Colten Gunn & Jay White) defeated Jeff Jarrett, Jay Lethal, Isiah Kassidy, Marq Quen, Willie Mack & Satnam Singh
– On the Double Or Nothing 2024 pre-show, The Acclaimed & Billy Gunn defeated Cage Of Agony (Brian Cage, Toa Liona & Bishop Kaun)