WWE Backstage News 2015: Why Billy Gunn Was Fired
It is official: WWE NXT trainer Billy Gunn was fired by the WWE after testing positive for high levels of testosterone during a powerlifting event last July 25. Monty Sopp (his real name) had a drug testing result that yielded 37-1 testosterone/epitestosterone ratio, which is way over the accepted limit of 4-1. There are also reports coming in that he too was in fact suspended from powerlifting because of substance abuse.
Adding insult to injury is that the WWE seemed to have been caught off guard because they didn't know that Sopp was actually an active participant in powerlifting. The entertainment company also didn't know that he was banned from another sport due to related drug offenses, something that certainly makes the WWE look bad.
The report on Billy Gunn's suspension was first reported by F4Wonline.
The reason why the WWE looked to be clueless is because they only test their fighters and talents, which means that staff and coaches aren't included. This explains why there was no negative WWE Wellness test for the former trainer.
Even though WWE officials didn't perform the test, they were forced to fire him since it is never a good publicity for a promotion that is already hurting with several injuries and drug-related issues in the past. Likewise, having a trainer who has been tested positive for performance enhancing drugs is never a good precedence especially that he is assigned at the developmental program of the company.
While Gunn is already out, there is still no official word or statement from WWE officials as to who should replace him, although several news outlets are saying that there are two candidates lined up for the job as of the moment.
