The Billy & Chuck tag team was an interesting duo that took part in a "commitment ceremony" on the September 12, 2002 edition of Smackdown. It was a very unique ceremony that people thought was going to be a gay wedding, but it's not how it ended up. Even when Billy Gunn put a ring on Chuck Palumbo's finger it wasn't for marriage. He just said he was going to be his tag team partner for life. A reason why it was so memorable is that it was very entertaining. The Godfather showed up to ask what the hell was going on and Rico took exception to that. When Billy was asked if he pledged himself to Chuck, he said yes. Chuck also said yes, which pleased Rico. Before the justice of the peace could go all the way, Billy said they're not gay and that this was all a publicity stunt. http://youtu.be/o4mrRVBt71M It became a great segment when the justice of the peace mentioned "three minutes" and then he took off his makeup. It was Eric Bischoff in one of his greatest performances ever. At the time this was when Raw and Smackdown were feuding, so it was a big deal to have Bischoff on there. Bischoff's Three Minute Warning mention led to Jamal and Rosey showing up to destroy Billy & Chuck. Even Stephanie McMahon took a Samoan Drop in the middle of the ring. The Smackdown locker room showed up to chase them off. Any time a segment can draw this kind of heat and reaction it shows that an angle worked. It took 15 minutes for it to happen, but by the time it was over they proved that it's not always about the in-ring action. If a story is strong the fans are going to buy into it.
John wrote at WhatCulture from December 2013 to December 2015. It was fun, but it's over for now. Follow him on Twitter @johnreport. You can also send an email to mrjohncanton@gmail.com with any questions or comments as well.
