Billy Gunn has fuelled rumours of retirement after leaving his boots in the middle of the ring during Saturday night’s edition of AEW Collision.
The 59 year-old Superstar teamed with Max Caster and Anthony Bowens, known collectively as The Acclaimed, to challenge The House Of Black for the AEW Trios Championship but came up short in their efforts.
Gunn sat solemnly in the ring after the bout and slowly un-laced his boots before leaving them in the ring and exiting up the ramp.
BIlly Gunn Teases Retirement During AEW Collision
Whilst it remains unknown if Gunn has officially called an end to his storied 34-year career, Twitter posts from sons Austin and Colten would imply that the former WWE Tag Team Champion has wrestled his last match.
Austin took to Twitter to share his love for his Father and praise the low-key way in which he has seemingly chosen to bow out:
“all jokes aside, thank you for everything. never needed a big send off, never asked for anything, just went out there & had fun and even though we haven’t seen eye to eye recently, we love you @RealBillyGunn”.
Meanwhile there was further praise from son Colten, who also thanked his Father on Twitter:
“we aren’t on the best terms right now but thank you….no other words need to be said”.
Gunn was inducted into the WWE Hall Of Fame in 2019 as a member of D-Generation X alongside long-time tag team partner Road Dogg, Shawn Michaels, X-Pac, Triple H and the late Chyna.
The 1999 WWE King Of The Ring claimed WWE Intercontinental Championship and WWE Hardcore Championship gold during his time with the company. Gunn also held the WWE Tag Team Championship on eleven occasions with three different partners, Road Dogg, Bart Gunn and Chuck Palumbo.
The placing of items in the middle of the ring has become a symbolic way of announcing your retirement from in-ring competition, with Triple H famously opening night two of WrestleMania 38 by leaving a pair of his famous black wrestling boots and a microphone side by side in the centre of the squared circle.
Before making a comeback a year later, The Undertaker had intended to retire at WrestleMania 33 in Orlando and left fans in attendance in tears as he placed his hat, coat and gloves down before embracing his family at ringside.