Road Dogg on Billy Gunn’s Absence from WWE’s DX 25th Anniversary & Backstage Reason [Update]

Update:

Fightful Select reported that their sources confirmed Dave Meltzer’s report about Tony Khan agreeing to the idea of Billy Gunn making a special appearance for WWE’s DX 25th Anniversary show in return of wanting AEW mentioned during the show.

Those spoken to within WWE reportedly stated that WWE’s plans for Gunn’s appearance had went as far as them preparing to travel Gunn to their RAW show under the belief that it was a real possibility.

In regards to the AEW mention part of the deal, it was reported that one idea pitched was for a lower third graphic featuring an AEW logo for Gunn but WWE officials did not seem too keen on making it a reality and nixed the plans for his appearance.

Gunn himself commented on the issue in a recent interview with Sports Illustrated. Gunn stated:

“Of course, I would have liked to have been there, but I understand that I work for another company. It was a collective decision. I’m not putting it on anyone. I’m not sour about it. We’re two separate companies, and it just didn’t work out.”

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As noted before, the October 11th WWE RAW show in Brooklyn, New York featured the 25th anniversary celebrations of DX’s official debut in WWE. One notable person missing from the festivities was Billy Gunn, who currently works in AEW.

A recent episode of the Oh You Didn’t Know podcast featured co-host Brian “Road Dogg” James’ thoughts on Gunn’s absence from WWE’s DX 25th Anniversary themed RAW show.

“It broke my heart, and I believe it broke his too. In all actuality, Hunter was not happy about it either. Shawn and X-Pac weren’t either. We wanted the band, all that we could get back together. Chyna is there in spirit. That didn’t happen. From what I understand, and I’m not in those inner circles anymore, and for my sanity rightfully so and thankful. I don’t know the exact reason, but I was told everything that we could do was done, and we couldn’t come together. During the day prior, I texted him, ‘Hey, are you going to be able to make it? Have you found out any answers yet?’ He said, ‘Yes, I’m in.’ I was like, ‘Oh my God, that’s awesome.’ Literally, before I landed at home, I found out he was not in. I texted him back and he wasn’t happy either. It just didn’t work, no matter what. I understand. Whatever. I understand we’re [AEW and WWE] not huge fans of each other from a business standpoint. It was a big deal, and I feel like he got ripped off and didn’t live it with us. I’m sorry for that. I know he is too,

In regards to the reason for Gunn’s absence from the show, Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that his sources stated it was due to a minor behind-the-scenes issue between AEW and WWE.

Those spoken to stated that AEW CEO Tony Khan was on board with the idea of Gunn making an appearance on WWE’s RAW show due to the special occasion but in return he wanted AEW to be mentioned on air during the show. This reportedly would have been in some form acknowledging that Gunn works for AEW similar to what was done for Mickie James acknowledging Impact Wrestling for her appearance at this past January’s Royal Rumble 2022 event.

WWE officials reportedly were hesitant on Khan’s demands and decided at the last minute against going forward with their plans for Gunn’s appearance on the show.

Meltzer reported that Road Dogg’s recent comments about Gunn’s absence left out the part about the talks between the two companies either on purpose or due to him likely not having prior knowledge of the talks and just assumed it was AEW’s fault.

Transcript h/t: Fightful.com