At 60 years old, Billy Gunn maintains a regular presence in AEW and actively competes, displaying no indications of slowing down. Gunn’s dedication to AEW is unwavering despite his recognition of the inevitable finite nature of his career.
On a recent edition of the “Insight” podcast, Gunn expressed uncertainty regarding the timeline of his retirement. However, he emphasized that his contributions to AEW are still well-received, as evidenced by the fan reactions.
Gunn also indicated that he generally feels in good physical condition, notwithstanding some existing issues, such as stress fractures in his back. These concerns do not significantly impede his performance.
While acknowledging that he may not match the physical prowess of younger wrestlers like Will Ospreay, Gunn believes that his continued presence and the audience’s positive response to him affirm his enduring value to AEW.
He said, “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 conveyed that he would contemplate retiring if the audience ever unanimously disapproved of his presence. He also mentioned that he has minimized taking high-impact falls after discussing a previous wrestling maneuver with his sons.
He continued, “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.”
In July 2023, Gunn seemed to have concluded his career in wrestling by leaving his boots in the ring during an episode of Collision, implying retirement. However, this retirement turned out to be temporary as he joined forces with The Acclaimed at AEW All In 2023, emerging victorious over The House of Black and securing the AEW Trios Championships.
