Jim Ross Laments WWE’s Missed Opportunity With Billy Gunn’s 1999 King Of The Ring Victory

In a recent episode of his podcast “Grilling JR,” WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross delved into WWE’s decision-making process surrounding Billy Gunn’s 1999 King of the Ring victory, expressing his disappointment over the company’s failure to capitalise on the momentum generated by Gunn’s triumph.

Reflecting on Gunn’s run to the King of the Ring crown, Ross expressed bewilderment over WWE’s decision to pull back on Gunn’s potential singles push very quickly in the aftermath of his victory.

I don’t know the reason, unless it was somebody making a decision late in the game in the bottom of the seventh or the top of the ninth, or whatever analogy one would like to use. And the decision was made that, ‘Well maybe we’re a little premature with this decision. Maybe we didn’t have somebody quite ready. Maybe Billy wasn’t quite ready for this opportunity.’

However, Ross firmly disagreed with this assessment, arguing that Gunn possessed all the necessary attributes to succeed as a top star in WWE.

I don’t agree with that. I think that – 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 gonna get anybody that looks better, that’s bigger, stronger, faster. Got a physique, knew how to work. So physical, he had all the pieces.

Addressing the longevity of the King of the Ring tournament, Ross dismissed the notion that the concept had run its course, having started in 1985.

No, I don’t think so. It had been around a while, but I don’t think it has run its course. I think it’s still gonna be a matter of who’s in it, who’s wrestling who, and how they perform. So no, I don’t think that ship had sailed whatsoever.

Former WWE Star Billy Gunn “Didn’t Know The Lyrics For A Year” To Memorable Theme Song

Billy Gunn recently revealed in an interview with Chris Van Vliet that he didn’t know the lyrics to his memorable theme song “Ass Man” for a year, which was the music he was given during his failed WWE singles run in 1999.

H/t to 411mania.com