WWE Fires Billy Gunn

[BringThePain834]

According to F4WOnline.com, WWE NXT trainer Billy Gunn, real name Monty Sopp, has been fired by WWE for testing positive for elevated levels of testosterone in a powerlifting meet on July 25.

According to the report, Sopp’s drug test at the meet came up with a 37-1 testosterone/epitestosterone ratio, well over the 4-1 limit, and he was suspended from powerlifting for four years.

It’s also being said WWE officials did not become aware of Sopp competing as a powerlifter, or the fact that he had been banned from the sport four years ago, until a few weeks ago.

It's hard to have a trainer on the payroll not to be punished for failing any type of PED test. He obviously wasn't tested as a in ring competitor as he isn't an active in ring competitor. And you have to have trainers lead by example. So really, this is a good move and doesn't show favoritism by HHH's boys.

 

[Jack-Hammer]

Since he failed a drug test, then he should've been fired. As the OP mentioned, trainers should lead by example and it's definitely hard to expect talent training to stay clean when the trainer, who has been a close friend of Triple H for some 20 years, doesn't walk the walk.

I can't say that I'm surprised really because while he's not in his prime, it's obvious that he's in tremendous shape, especially for someone 52 years of age. I didn't know that Gunn was involved in powerlifting, which makes him testing positive for PED all the less surprising.

 

[Mustang Sally]

I didn't know that Gunn was involved in powerlifting, which makes him testing positive for PED all the less surprising.

Less surprising, for sure. Makes me wonder if anyone in any sport has truly stopped juicing, or have they just all moved on to new substances that are deemed undetectable by authorities.......that is, until someone like Billy Gunn gets a little too cocky and uses something that can be detected.

At any rate, screw Kip Sopp. If WWE kept him on the payroll, how could they expect people Gunn was supposed to set an example for to stay clean and follow the rules?

Still, if WWE didn't know he was power lifting and was unaware of his first suspension, wonder how they found out this time?

 

[rbv13]

I've seen elsewhere around the IWC, obviously not here on WZ Forums, where individuals are questioning and even mocking the decision to test non in ring performers for PEDs. That thought process is completely baffling to me. Any business, especially a public traded corporation, should hold all of its employees to the same set of standards. In the case of WWE and its less than reputable reputation they should be checking even the parking lot attendants.

Billy Gunn played with fire and got burnt. He was in a position of great influence over current and future Super Stars where his actions could've caused some serious backlash. You can't lead if you can't set a proper example. On top of that, what if he had dropped dead while on the WWE's dime. What a disaster that would've been. We've seen for to often the medical backlash this profession brings. In the end it was a total blunder by Gunn and the right move by the WWE.

It looks as if it hasn't taken Gunn long to move on from WWE. There has already been an announcement of Preston Wrestling that he will be appearing at an upcoming event. I wonder if Gunn was aware of the termination days or weeks ago.

 

[Woodstuff]

I've seen elsewhere around the IWC, obviously not here on WZ Forums, where individuals are questioning and even mocking the decision to test non in ring performers for PEDs. That thought process is completely baffling to me.

There are a lot of clueless ******s that think they know the business because they've spent a lot of time thinking (fantasizing) about it.

On topic, I was shocked to see Gunn had been fired in the headlines, but it makes total sense. As everyone above has said, you can't have trainers that think they're above the system. Or can operate around it undetected. I just hope he takes a booking from a decent promotion here in the UK (PCW).

 

[mr.davidson]

At 52 years of age and looking that goo who give a flying f@ck if he is doing test..!

FYI when all of you are that age and if you want to look good at that age.. then you better get on the juice train now..

anyone that is stupid enough to think he should'nt be doing what he did is obviously not a weight lifter and does'nt understand..!

also the only thing wrong here is that Billy gunn was dumb enough that his hobby of power lifting got him fired from his full time job.. that's all

FYI HHH is on something as well

 

[ShinChan]

Well as many said, trainer should lead by example.... He did wrong and so has to face the consequences although he is a friend of Triple H yet he is fired.... shows justice is served right

 

[d_henderson1810]

I am surprised that Gunn was ever a trainer in the first place. He wasn't a great ring worker in the ring, and had one of the worst punches in WWE history.

In fact, the only reason that Gunn got anywhere was because of the Outlaws, and Road Dogg carried that team. Gunn had no charisma, not great stickwork, a surfie/porn star look and his solo matches sucked.

I call Dolph Ziggler "Billy Gunn with talent" because he looks like him, but puts on better matches and is more over.

Now, if WWE could find a reason to fire A-Train, who is a trainer in NXT, despite not ever having a memorable match in WWE, and sucking in the ring, then maybe the NXT kids have a chance of actually being taught by great workers, like Dean Malenko and Ricky Steamboat.

 

[Prince Vee]

Since he failed a drug test, then he should've been fired. As the OP mentioned, trainers should lead by example and it's definitely hard to expect talent training to stay clean when the trainer, who has been a close friend of Triple H for some 20 years, doesn't walk the walk.

I can't say that I'm surprised really because while he's not in his prime, it's obvious that he's in tremendous shape, especially for someone 52 years of age. I didn't know that Gunn was involved in powerlifting, which makes him testing positive for PED all the less surprising.

Yes it's wonder how he is still good in the ring and in shape even at this age. But no wonders that his testosterone levels are in 37:1 which should be 4:1 for a normal bloke. And yes, a trainer, who plays a key role in mentoring the Rookies entering the business shouldn't be a bad example. This will create tremors for anyone in the locker room right now who would try to go for those sort of steroids.

 

[stingray11214]

He was suspended from power lifting FOUR YEARS ago?!? And, he does power lifting again, and gets SUSPENDED again?!? Yet, the WWE does a Corporal Klink and says "I know nutting!"?!? They knew a long time ago, so I call bullshit on them "just finding out". Someone got pissed off and threatened to drop a dime on WWE's "Wellness policy" being as effective as they claim. Their are many that believe that the Wellness Policy is selective in its enforcement. Sopp is one of Trips' boys. If you think Trips did not know about Sopp's powerlifting exploits, I have shares in the Brooklyn Bridge I'd like to sell you. I can guarantee you that Trips had a gun pointed to his head to get rid of Sopp. If shareholders had found out, their would have been a shitstorm that would have seen Trips get knocked down a few stairs, and rising calls for Shane to take over the company.

 

[THTRobtaylor]

I am surprised that Gunn was ever a trainer in the first place. He wasn't a great ring worker in the ring, and had one of the worst punches in WWE history.

In fact, the only reason that Gunn got anywhere was because of the Outlaws, and Road Dogg carried that team. Gunn had no charisma, not great stickwork, a surfie/porn star look and his solo matches sucked.

I call Dolph Ziggler "Billy Gunn with talent" because he looks like him, but puts on better matches and is more over.

Now, if WWE could find a reason to fire A-Train, who is a trainer in NXT, despite not ever having a memorable match in WWE, and sucking in the ring, then maybe the NXT kids have a chance of actually being taught by great workers, like Dean Malenko and Ricky Steamboat.

Matt Bloom isn't there for his "in ring" ability, he's there because he has experience of learning both the WWE style in OVW AND the Japanese style in All Japan. That is great experience for the leader of a programme, with other trainers teaching the in-ring stuff... Bloom can use his knowledge of the All Japan Dojo, the Young Boy system and how OVW helped produce many of the top guys in the company. He's not there cos he was A-Train or Tensai, but cos he was Giant Bernard...

As for Gunn, it's clear that someone knew about his ban... it wouldn't be possible for it to not get back to WWE. Where the issue has likely come is that a) he's started powerlifting again, possibly without clearing it with WWE and b) that he's been caught again with such a spectacularly high number...

If it was a close thing, suspension, rap on the knuckles but 37-1 ratio is utterly insane and would send out a horrific message to the recruits at NXT, those hoping to get in and detractors of the Wellness Policy. Also, with them filming Breaking Ground and making it a big thing/hoping for network coverage of it and with the ESPN link, it's a massive embarrasment, cos this is the sort of thing ESPN would report on...can you imagine how hard they've had to work to get them to keep it quiet?

If Cena was found with the same number or in the same position, he might get a pass... even Orton would have been canned for this, so Gunn going is no shock... and he'll be back once the heat cools on him, just as he was before.

 

[kadroan]

I didn't see this coming. I hate it for him but I won't be surprise if I see him back in the WWE once all this blows over.

 

[d_henderson1810]

Matt Bloom isn't there for his "in ring" ability, he's there because he has experience of learning both the WWE style in OVW AND the Japanese style in All Japan. That is great experience for the leader of a programme, with other trainers teaching the in-ring stuff... Bloom can use his knowledge of the All Japan Dojo, the Young Boy system and how OVW helped produce many of the top guys in the company. He's not there cos he was A-Train or Tensai, but cos he was Giant Bernard...

As for Gunn, it's clear that someone knew about his ban... it wouldn't be possible for it to not get back to WWE. Where the issue has likely come is that a) he's started powerlifting again, possibly without clearing it with WWE and b) that he's been caught again with such a spectacularly high number...

If it was a close thing, suspension, rap on the knuckles but 37-1 ratio is utterly insane and would send out a horrific message to the recruits at NXT, those hoping to get in and detractors of the Wellness Policy. Also, with them filming Breaking Ground and making it a big thing/hoping for network coverage of it and with the ESPN link, it's a massive embarrasment, cos this is the sort of thing ESPN would report on...can you imagine how hard they've had to work to get them to keep it quiet?

If Cena was found with the same number or in the same position, he might get a pass... even Orton would have been canned for this, so Gunn going is no shock... and he'll be back once the heat cools on him, just as he was before.

What does experience in Japan have to do with anything? He could be brought in as a consultant, but he shouldn't be training anyone.

Besides, I doubt he was any better as a wrestler as Giant Bernard. He only got paid millions because he is over six-foot, white and bald, so he was an oddity and an attraction in Japan. He stood out.

I just find it a joke that WWE released Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, one of the greatest in-ring workers ever (Ric Flair, Randy Savage and Stone Cold have all said that Steamboat was the greatest worker they have ever seen) as a trainer, because they couldn't afford to pay him, and yet, they employed Gunn and Bloom, who hasn't had a great match in their life.