WWE Rumors: Updates on why veteran superstar Billy Gunn was fired due to drug test failure
Long-time World Wrestling Entertainment superstar Billy Gunn was recently let go of by WWE due to an apparent failed drug test from earlier in the year.
In a report by Nick Paglino of WrestleZone, Gunn (whose real name is Monty "Kip" Sopp), was fired by the WWE after testing positive for elevated testosterone levels in a powerlifting meet last July. The report adds that Gunn's Testosterone/Epitestosterone ratio showed a 37-1 tally, way above the limit of 4-1.
He will now serve a four-year suspension, preventing him from joining any powerlifting competition. In a follow-up report by Paglino, the reason for Gunn's firing was revealed, noting that the wrestler was not included in the company's Wellness Policy.Gunn serves as the trainer at the WWE Performance Center.
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"According to F4WOnline.com, the reason why Billy Gunn had not previously failed a drug test in WWE is because according to the company Wellness Policy, WWE only drug tests talent, and not coaches or trainers at the Performance Center," the report reads.
Paglino adds that while the WWE officials and top management are supposedly considering replacing Gunn with two people, nothing official has been made yet. Gunn's claim to fame came in the early 90's, when he was part of tag-team sensation "The Smoking Gunns". Along with Bart Gunn, both men bagged the 1995 Tag Team Championship.
His bigger break came in 1997, when he formed an alliance with "The Real Double J" Jesse James. Forming "The New Age Outlaws" who later joined "D-Generation X", Gunn gained further infamy during the WWE's "Attitude Era". Gunn did leave the WWE in 2004 and went on to compete in independent wrestling circuits.
In 2012, however, he made his World Wrestling Entertainment return reuniting with Shawn Michaels, Triple H, "Road Dogg" Jesse James and Sean "X-Pac" Waltman to reform D-Generation X.
According to a tweet by Preston City Wrestling, the 52-year old Gunn was signed by their company to headline "Road To Glory" 2016 on February 5th and 6th.
