5 instances of homosexuality in WWE history

2: Billy and Chuck’s entire act

Billy Gunn and Chuck Palumbo

From a cowboy to a man fixated on his own behind to one-half of an ostentatiously homoerotic tag team, Billy Gunn has portrayed variegated characters which were in equal parts ridiculous and amusing. An industry veteran by 2003, Billy was paired opposite former WCW Tag Team Champion Chuck Palumbo in an act called “Billy and Chuck”.

The pair started growing affectionate towards one another, with Chuck even dyeing his hair bleach blonde to match Billy’s. They began sporting matching red bandanas and tights, consequently drawing fire from their crafty stylist/manager Rico for being too unsophisticated. Despite their inclinations, a general ambiguity underscored their relationship. This created spots for homoerotic comedy both inside the ring and backstage. With skits such as provocative posedowns with women wrestlers, locker room intrusions and corny displays of fondness, the team continued to inflate their sexual tendencies. The incongruity of these entertained many a fan in 2002, not only because of a latent homophobia which they seemed to play off, but also the blunt stereotyping which they demonstrated at every turn.

However, all speculation was put to rest when Chuck proposed to Billy for life partnership, which the latter happily accepted. The wedding, scheduled to take place on September 12, 2002, and promoted extensively by GLAAD, however, turned out to be an act that apparently “wasn’t supposed to go this far”. Right before the minister could finish reading his pronouncement, Billy and Chuck stopped him and yelled at Rico for not drawing the line where he was supposed to. Of course, it went on to be sabotaged by Eric Bischoff and the 3-Minute Warning, aided by a defecting Rico.

The two-time Tag Champions were stranded in the ring with the hollowness of their act showing prominently. GLAAD did not take kindly to the incident, particularly when they had vested hopes on the WWE’s treatment of a homosexual wedding. Seeing how the company had led them to secure mainstream media coverage for the angle under false pretences, GLAAD denounced the WWE for deception. As for Billy and Chuck, the pair soon separated after Billy Gunn suffered a legitimate shoulder injury during a match, with each man stealthily walking back to their respective singles careers.