Billy Gunn never forgot Triple H’s infamous “pissant company” comment about AEW, and years later, he still thinks it crossed the line.
Speaking with Inside the Ropes, Gunn looked back at DX’s 2019 WWE Hall of Fame induction, where fans broke into “AEW” chants. That prompted Triple H to joke that Vince McMahon would simply buy the “pissant company” so he could fire Gunn again.
Looking back on the moment, Gunn said he actually expected AEW to come up. The promotion was the hottest topic in wrestling at the time; he had already signed there, and he figured someone—especially Triple H—would respond once the crowd started chanting.
“No, ’cause I knew it was coming. I kind of knew that they were going to do something AEW because it was hot at the time, and I was there, and they’re all wondering how I got to go there… I didn’t know what they were going to do, but I knew they were going to do something. And I also knew that if they were, that Hunter was going to have something to say about it.”
Even though he saw it coming, Gunn felt Triple H went a step too far. He said the joke wasn’t necessary and believes it came across like Triple H was trying to save face rather than simply enjoying the moment.
“The only one that got hurt out of that whole deal was him. Like, and I don’t want to say it, but it was just a d**k move, right? It was. It was kind of trying to save face, and you didn’t need to because it’s going to happen. It’s the wrestling business.”
Gunn went on to say he understands why WWE reacted the way it did. In his mind, once a wrestler appears for another major company, there’s almost an unwritten rule that somebody is going to acknowledge it. With the crowd loudly chanting “AEW,” he wasn’t surprised Triple H answered back.
“When you have somebody in another company… then they have to do it. It’s like an unwritten thing in a book. If another guy is in another company, we have to say something and do something. And they started chanting it… and then you get a response from the guy that’s leading the company.”
Seven years later, it’s still one of the most talked-about Hall of Fame moments in recent memory. Gunn clearly isn’t losing sleep over it anymore, but he also isn’t changing his opinion—he expected Triple H to respond; he just thinks there was a better way to do it.
Do you think Triple H’s “pissant company” comment was all in good fun, or did he go too far? Let us know in the comments below.
This transcript was produced exclusively for Ringside News from the original recording. Republishing the transcription in full is prohibited. When using excerpts, provide prominent credit and a link to this article.
