Pro wrestling legend Billy Gunn made his return to AEW television this past Saturday night on Collision. He teamed up with his son, Austin Gunn, to face Kyle Fletcher and Konosuke Takeshita, who are part of The Don Callis Family, in tag team action after being absent for several months.
This return comes after it was reported that AEW canceled the scheduled live edition of Collision from Arlington, Texas, due to impending weather conditions and opted to tape the show in Orlando following last Wednesday’s Dynamite. Initially, Austin Gunn was slated to team with Juice Robinson to take on Takeshita and Fletcher. However, Robinson was ruled out of the match due to medical issues, and Ace Austin was unable to make it to the show because of travel complications. This led to Billy joining his son for the match against Takeshita and Fletcher.
Sean Ross Sapp addressed a fan's question in the latest edition of Fightful Select Answers regarding Billy Gunn's absence prior to his recent return. According to Sapp, Gunn had not been seen at AEW shows lately as he was not included in the company's creative plans. Sapp also mentioned that the former World Trios Champion had been taken off television because the company aimed to focus on younger talent. He added that Gunn was not initially planned for a reunion with The Acclaimed and was brought in only due to last-minute changes in the Collision tapings.
Though he hasn’t been active in AEW, Billy Gunn has been wrestling regularly on the independent circuit. He also participated in a multi-man dark match before Dynamite this past Wednesday, which notably featured Bishop Dyer. Saturday's match marked Billy’s first televised appearance in AEW since the Double or Nothing 2024 Pre-Show, where he teamed with Max Caster and Anthony Bowens to defeat Toa Liona, Bishop Kaun, and Brian Cage in a Trios match. Additionally, this was his first appearance on television since the July 26, 2025, episode of Collision.
