| Billy and Chuck | |
|---|---|
| Tag team | |
| Members | Billy Gunn[1] Chuck Palumbo[1] Rico (manager)[1] |
| Name(s) | Billy and Chuck Chuck and Billy |
| Heights | Billy: 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) Chuck: 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) |
| Combined weight |
535 lb (243 kg; 38.2 st)[2] |
| Billed from | Hollywood, California |
| Debut | 2001[1] |
| Disbanded | 2002 |
| Promotions | WWF/E |
Billy and Chuck was the professional wrestling tag team of Billy Gunn and Chuck Palumbo seen in World Wrestling Entertainment.[1]
Contents |
Near the end of the Invasion storyline, Chuck Palumbo was kicked out of the WCW/ECW coalition. In response, he defected to the WWF, where he began teaming with Gunn in an affront to the Alliance. After the Invasion ended, the duo were turned heel.
A storyline began in which Palumbo and Gunn became increasingly affectionate toward each other,[2] showing evidence of a homosexual relationship.[3] The duo adopted matching red ring gear and bleached their hair with Chuck beginning to wear pigtails. Developmental talent Rico was placed in the role of their crafty "personal stylist".[2] Billy and Chuck would win the World Tag Team Championships on two occasions,[2] and primarily feud with the APA.
In September 2002, Chuck proposed life partnership to Billy, and Billy accepted.[4] Their ceremony was aired on SmackDown!.[5] During the commitment ceremony, Gunn and Palumbo revealed that their homosexuality was merely a publicity stunt that had gone too far, and they admitted they were only friends.[5] Eric Bischoff, who had disguised himself as the priest officiating the wedding, and 3-Minute Warning from Raw then led an attack on Stephanie McMahon, the General Manager of SmackDown!.[5] Following this incident, Rico defected to Raw and managed 3-Minute Warning.[1] Billy and Chuck remained a team, turning face and dropping all facets of their gay-sweetheart gimmick.
The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, which had consulted with WWE on the storyline and helped the angle secure mainstream media coverage, denounced WWE for securing GLAAD's assistance under false pretenses. "The WWE lied to us two months ago when they promised that Billy and Chuck would come out and wed on the air."[3]
Billy and Chuck's final match together occurred on SmackDown! in the first round of a tournament for the newly created WWE Tag Team Championship.[1] They lost the match to the team of Ron Simmons and Reverend D-Von.[6] Gunn received a shoulder injury during the match, and was taken off of television.[1] The team quietly separated with Chuck going into singles competition and Billy returned with his Mr. Ass gimmick.[1]