Matt Hardy claims current AEW star was 'kept down' in WWE: "Vince didn't see a larger-than-life personality in him"
Legendary wrestler Matt Hardy has claimed a major AEW star was kept down by former WWE Chairman Vince McMahon. The star in question is none other than Billy Gunn.
The AEW star gained fame in the Stamford-based promotion as a part of The New Age Outlaws and D-Generation X. Billy Gunn won multiple WWE Tag Team Championships and also had a singles run in the promotion. The run brought him the Intercontinental Championship and the Hardcore Title (twice).
In the recent edition of The Extreme Life of Matt Hardy podcast, The Sensei of Mattitude claimed that former WWE Chairman Vince McMahon did not view Billy Gunn as a ''larger-than-life personality.'' The veteran added that Gunn would've had more success if the latter were a young talent in All Elite Wrestling.
"I don't think Vince perceived him as being a larger-than-life personality, and I think if Billy Gunn in his prime came along now, like, at AEW, with just his work rate, it would change because they kind of have a different mindset nowadays there. Much like Jerry Lynn, I feel like Jerry Lynn was kind of in the same boat, where Vince didn't see a larger-than-life personality in him, and maybe even Lance Storm in some capacities," he said. [H/T: WrestlingInc.]
Check out the episode below:
Jim Ross on WWE's booking of AEW star Billy Gunn
In a recent edition of the Grilling JR podcast, Jim Ross expressed disappointment in WWE's treatment of Billy Gunn.
The legendary commentator claimed Billy had all the tools to be a major player, but the power players in the Stamford-based promotion never utilized The One's talent or had confidence in the 61-year-old.
"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 going to get anybody that looks better, that's bigger, stronger, faster, got a great physique, and knew how to work. He had all the pieces, but for some reason, the powers that be just never developed the confidence in Billy that he probably deserved, quite frankly," Ross said.
Billy Gunn is a former AEW World Trios Champion. We will have to wait and see if Tony Khan has more title reigns planned for the veteran.