8 Wrestlers The Rock Couldn't Get Over

4. Billy Gunn

The Rock Big Show
WWE.com

Billy Gunn was never cut out for major singles stardom, immensely popular though he was as one half of the New Age Outlaws.

Early Attitude Era undercards were putrid, pre-Kurt Angle, Chris Jericho and the Radicalz - and so, given his ability to get over and his McMahon-friendly physique, Billy - renamed 'Mr. Ass' in what was nominative determinism at its purest - was awarded a litmus test with The Rock at SummerSlam 1999. The major platform spoke volumes of the company's belief in Billy.

Rock was a man of the people, and he expressed the sentiments of the people - but his pre-match words were spoken with so much truth behind them that the platform crumbled, weeks in advance. "My name is Billy," said The Rock in a prayer-framed promo too effective for its own good. "And I just won King of the Ring. But there's one problem - everybody still thinks that I absolutely suck!"

The SummerSlam match wasn't a peak SuperCena burial, but it was almost completely mundane, saved only by the searing heat generated solely by Rock's mega star power.

Billy, placed in the driver's seat, was ejected to the back - in so small part because a far superior performer act had already assumed the front seat...

Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!