Jim Ross Expresses Regret Over WWE’s Handling of Billy Gunn’s 1999 King of the Ring Triumph
In a candid revelation on the brand new episode of his podcast “Grilling JR,” WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross offered a poignant critique of WWE’s control decisions following Billy Gunn’s victory on the 1999 King of the Ring match. Ross’s reflections have reignited discussions approximately what might have been for Gunn, who, according to Ross, changed into a high candidate for a major singles push that in the long run never materialized.
Billy Gunn’s ascent to the King of the Ring title in 1999 marked a good sized milestone in his profession, but WWE’s subsequent decision to retract the momentum seemed to depart lovers and insiders scratching their heads. Ross’s current observation sheds light on his frustration with the coping with of Gunn’s burgeoning profession.
“I don’t know the reason, unless it was somebody making a decision late in the game in the bottom of the seventh or the top of the ninth, or whatever analogy one would like to use,” Ross lamented. “And the decision was made that, ‘Well maybe we’re a little premature with this decision. Maybe we didn’t have somebody quite ready. Maybe Billy wasn’t quite ready for this opportunity.’”
Ross’s sentiments highlight a common critique within the wrestling community—the missed opportunities due to last-minute changes and second-guessing by decision-makers. The veteran commentator vehemently disagreed with the rationale behind Gunn’s quick retreat from the spotlight.
“I don’t agree with that,” Ross asserted. “I think that – I don’t know that we ever got everything out of Billy Gunn that he deserved, and that we could have done more positive things with. You’re not gonna get anybody that looks better, that’s bigger, stronger, faster. Got a physique, knew how to work. So physical, he had all the pieces.”
Ross’s frustration underscores a ordinary theme in professional wrestling: the effect of strategic choices on a wrestler’s career trajectory. Despite Gunn’s glaring ability and physical prowess, the ignored opportunity to raise him to a pinnacle superstar remains a factor of contention.
The King of the Ring match, which has been a staple of WWE programming when you consider that 1985, also came under scrutiny. Some critics recommended that the idea had run its direction, but Ross disagreed with this assessment. He believed that the event’s fulfillment depended extra at the contributors and their performances in place of the format itself.
“No, I don’t think so,” Ross countered. “It had been around a while, but I don’t think it has run its course. I think it’s still gonna be a matter of who’s in it, who’s wrestling who, and how they perform. So no, I don’t think that ship had sailed whatsoever.”
In a twist to the story, Billy Gunn himself recently revealed an amusing anecdote about his time with WWE. In an interview with Chris Van Vliet, Gunn disclosed that he didn’t know the lyrics to his iconic theme song “Ass Man” for a full year. This revelation, which Gunn delivered with a touch of humor, adds a light-hearted note to an otherwise serious discussion about missed opportunities.
The revelation underscores the multifaceted nature of Gunn’s WWE career—one marked by both humorous anecdotes and unfulfilled potential. Gunn’s honesty about his lack of familiarity with his own theme song offers a glimpse into the less glamorous side of the wrestling business, where even top stars can have their own moments of confusion and adjustment.
H/t to 411mania.com
