Austin Gunn

{{Infobox professional wrestler

|name = Austin Gunn

|birthname = Austin Sopp

|image = Austin Gunn, June 2022.jpg

|caption = Gunn in 2022

|parents = Billy Gunn (father)

|family = Colten Gunn (brother)

|names = Austin Gunn{{Cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=2&nr=20024&gimmick=Austin+Gunn|title=Austin Gunn « Wrestlers Database « CAGEMATCH - The Internet Wrestling Database|website=Cagematch.net|access-date=January 1, 2020}}

|height = 5 ft 11 in

|weight = 215 lb{{cite web|url=https://www.rohwrestling.com/news/dak-draper-austin-gunn-square-top-prospect-final-las-vegas|title=DAK DRAPER, AUSTIN GUNN SQUARE OFF IN TOP PROSPECT FINAL IN LAS VEGAS|work=Ring of Honor|date=September 11, 2019|access-date=July 20, 2020}}

|birth_date = {{birth date and age|1994|8|26}}

|birth_place = Orlando, Florida, U.S.

|alma_mater = Rollins College (BA)

|billed = Orlando, Florida{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOI9QjsZZm8|title=Austin Gunn vs Brian Johnson|publisher=Ring of Honor|date=August 29, 2019|access-date=July 20, 2020}}

|trainer = Billy Gunn
The Dudley Boyz

|debut = March 18, 2017

}}

Austin Sopp (born August 26, 1994),{{cite web|url=http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/bios/a/austin-gunn/|title=Austin Gunn - OWW Profile|access-date=April 19, 2020|archive-date=February 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200218093326/http://www.onlineworldofwrestling.com/bios/a/austin-gunn|url-status=dead}} better known by the ring name Austin Gunn, is an American professional wrestler and reality television personality, signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW){{cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/austin-gunn-signs-aew|title=Austin Gunn Signs With AEW|website=Fightful.com|date=January 8, 2020|access-date=January 8, 2020}} and Ring of Honor (ROH) where he is in a tag team with his brother Colten as The Gunns, and is a member of the Bang Bang Gang stable. Gunn is a former one-time AEW World Tag Team Champion and a one-time AEW World Trios Champions and ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Champions (collectively held as the Unified World Trios Championship). Sopp is a second-generation professional wrestler, as he is the son of professional wrestler Monty Sopp, better known as Billy Gunn.{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/aew-news/austin-gunn-signs-all-elite-wrestling-301246|title=Austin Gunn signs with All Elite Wrestling|work=Figure Four Online|first=Bryan|last=Rose|date=January 8, 2020|access-date=July 20, 2020}}

Early life and education

Sopp was born on August 26, 1994, in Orlando, Florida. He is a son of professional wrestler Billy Gunn and Tina Tinnell Sopp {{cite web|url=https://www.prowrestlingsheet.com/austin-gunn-signs-aew-billy/|title=Billy Gunn's Son Austin Gunn Signs With AEW|website=Prowrestlingsheet.com|date=January 9, 2020}} and the brother of professional wrestler Colten Gunn. Sopp was nominated Computer Science King in 2010 at Lake Brantley High School. Sopp attended Rollins College in Winter Park, Florida, from 2013 to 2017.{{cite web | url=https://rollinssports.com/sports/mlax/roster/austin-sopp/1215 | title=Austin Sopp | publisher=rollinssports.com | accessdate=April 14, 2024}} He was a member of the lacrosse team and graduated with a degree in elementary education.{{cite web | url=https://www.rohwrestling.com/news/2019-top-prospect-tournament-entrant-austin-gunn | title=2019 Top Prospect Tournament Entrant: Austin Gunn | date=July 16, 2019 | website=Rohwrestling.com}}

Professional wrestling career

= Ring of Honor (2019) =

In June 2019, Gunn confirmed that he had signed a contract with Ring of Honor (ROH).{{cite web

|url=https://lastwordonprowrestling.com/2019/06/29/austin-gunn-signs-with-roh/|title=Austin Gunn Signs With ROH|access-date=June 29, 2019|website=Lastwordonprowrestling.com|date=June 29, 2019}} He made his ROH debut on August 26, 2019, in a dark match as part of the ROH Top Prospect Tournament, defeating Brian Johnson in the quarterfinals{{cite web|url=https://www.rohwrestling.com/news/dante-caballero-austin-gunn-clash-top-prospect-tournament-semifinal-chicago|title=DANTE CABALLERO, AUSTIN GUNN CLASH IN TOP PROSPECT TOURNAMENT SEMIFINAL IN CHICAGO|access-date=August 7, 2017|website=Rohwrestling.com|date=August 7, 2019}}{{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=234812|title=ROH Saturday Night At Center Stage|website=Cagematch.net}} and Dante Caballero in the semifinals.{{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=237086|title=ROH/CMLL Global Wars Espectacular - Night 2|website=Cagematch.net}} On September 28, 2019, Gunn was defeated by Dak Draper in the finals of the Top Prospect Tournament.{{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=239919|title=ROH Death Before Dishonor : Fallout|website=Cagematch.net}}

= All Elite Wrestling / Return to ROH (2020–present) =

On January 9, 2020, it was announced that Gunn had officially signed with All Elite Wrestling.{{Cite web|url=https://comicbook.com/wwe/news/aew-signs-austin-gunn-billy-gunn-son-cody-rhodes-ring-of-honor/|title=AEW Signs Austin Gunn, Son of Billy Gunn|website=Comicbook.com|date=January 9, 2020 |access-date=April 7, 2022}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/austin-gunn-signs-aew|title=Austin Gunn Signs With AEW | Fightful News|website=Fightful.com|access-date=April 7, 2022}} On January 14, Gunn made his AEW debut in a tag team match on AEW Dark teaming with his father Billy Gunn as The Gunn Club defeating the team of Peter Avalon and Shawn Spears.{{cite web|url=https://www.cagesideseats.com/2020/1/14/21066269/aew-dark-recap-reactions-jan-14-2020-billy-gunn-son-full-of-charisma|title=AEW Dark recap & reactions (Jan. 14, 2020): Gunn full of charisma|website=Cagesideseats.com|date=January 14, 2020}} Gunn suffered a torn PCL injury during the match.{{cite tweet|user=theaustingunn|number=1284263409954029578|title=UPDATE: I suffered a torn PCL in my left knee during my debut match in January I've been doing PT since then to make sure my injury is taken care of, so I come back even stronger 💪🏽 the GOOD NEWS, is that I'm officially cleared! the Son of a Gunn is BACK 🔥 #GunnClub|first=Austin|last=Gunn|date=July 17, 2020|access-date=July 20, 2020}} On November 4, 2020, Gunn (who had previously been involved with his father in tag team matches on Dark){{Cite web|url=https://lastwordonsports.com/prowrestling/2020/08/04/preview-aew-dark-8-4-20/|title = Preview: AEW DARK (8/4/20)|website=Lastwordonsports.com|date = August 4, 2020}}{{cite web|url=https://superluchas.com/en/resultados-aew-dark-15-de-septiembre-2020-the-dark-order-vs-private-party-y-the-gunn-club/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230212084410/https://superluchas.com/en/resultados-aew-dark-15-de-septiembre-2020-the-dark-order-vs-private-party-y-the-gunn-club/ |archive-date=February 12, 2023 |title=AEW Dark Results (September 15, 2020) |publisher=Superluchas |last=Indi |first=Rafael |date=September 16, 2020 |access-date=February 12, 2023}} officially made his debut on AEW Dynamite, teaming with his father and Cody Rhodes to defeat Dark Order members 10, John Silver and Colt Cabana.{{cite web| url = https://www.ringsidenews.com/2020/11/05/austin-gunn-has-no-words-after-aew-dynamite-debut/| title = Austin Gunn Has No Words After AEW Dynamite Debut|website=Ringsidenews.com| date = November 5, 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2916511-aew-dynamite-results-winners-grades-reaction-and-highlights-for-november-4|title = AEW Dynamite Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights for November 4|website = Bleacher Report}}

On the November 17, 2020 episode of Dark, Austin's brother Colten, now wrestling as a fellow Gunn Club member, would team with Austin and their father in a match which saw the Gunn Club defeat BSHP King, Joey O’Riley and Sean Maluta by pinfall in a six-man tag team match.{{cite news|url=https://theringreport.com/aew/aew-dark-full-results-for-november-17-2020-jurassic-express-vs-tnt-and-more-a19013#gs.l6fe1m|title=AEW DARK Full Results For November 17, 2020: Jurassic Express VS TNT And More|first=Anthony|last=Margo|publisher=The Ring Report|date=November 17, 2020|access-date=November 17, 2020}}{{Cite web|url=https://prowrestlingnewshub.com/aew-tv/aew-dark-preview-11-17-2020/|title=AEW Announces 13 Matches For Tonight's Episode Of Dark|first=Sanjay|last=Thakur|website=Prowrestlingnewshub.com|date=November 17, 2020 |access-date=April 7, 2022}} The three man Gunn Club would then defeat Cezar Bononi, KTB, and Seth Gargis in another six man tag team match on the November 24, 2020 episode of Dark.{{cite news|url=https://theringreport.com/aew/aew-dark-full-results-for-november-24-2020-jurassic-express-vs-panda-x-press-and-more-a19029#gs.lsexts|title=AEW DARK Full Results For November 24, 2020: Jurassic Express VS Panda X-Press And More|first=Anthony|last=Mango|publisher=The Ring Report|date=November 24, 2020|access-date=November 25, 2020}}{{cite news|url=https://theringreport.com/aew/aew-dark-preview-full-lineup-of-matches-advertised-for-november-24-2020-episode-a19027#gs.lo79kp|title=AEW DARK Preview: Full Lineup Of Matches Advertised For November 24, 2020 Episode|first=Anthony|last=Mango|publisher=The Ring Report|date=November 22, 2020|access-date=November 23, 2020}} On the December 8, 2020 episode of Dark The three man Gunn Club-which entered the ring on a golf cart with the words "Taz Taxi" on the side, defeated Shawn Dean, Sean Maluta & RYZIN.{{cite news|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/aew-results/aew-dark-results-varsity-blondes-vs-dark-orders-cabana-reynolds-327121|title=AEW Dark Results: Varsity Blondes vs. Darks Order's Cabana & Reynolds|first=Parker|last=Klyn|publisher=Figure Four Online|date=December 8, 2020|access-date=December 12, 2020}} On February 9, 2022 (during a match that aired two days later on AEW Rampage), Austin and Colten Gunn wrestled for the AEW Tag Championship, losing to reigning champions Jurassic Express (Jungle Boy and Luchasaurus).{{cite news|title=AEW Rampage spoilers from Atlantic City, New Jersey|first=Bryan|last=Rose|publisher=Figure Four Online|date=February 10, 2022}} On the April 15, 2022 episode of AEW Rampage, the Gunn Club lost a six-man tag team match to Blackpool Combat Club.{{cite news|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/2955398-aew-rampage-results-winners-grades-reaction-and-highlights-from-april-15|title=AEW Rampage Results: Winners, Grades, Reaction and Highlights from April 15|first=Chris|last=Mueller|publisher=Bleacher Report|date=April 15, 2022|accessdate=April 15, 2022}}{{cite news|url=https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/results/aew-rampage-results-4152022-adam-page-vs-adam-cole-texas-deathmatch-aew-championship-moreover|title=AEW Rampage Results for 4/15/2022: Adam Page vs Adam Cole AEW Championship Texas Deathmatch + More|first=Luis|last=Pulido|publisher=Fightful|date=April 15, 2022|accessdate=April 15, 2022}}

Somewhat outside of AEW, in November 2021 Ring of Honor wrestler Danhausen began a Twitter feud with the Gunn Club, referring to Colten and Austin as "Ass Boys", in reference to Billy Gunn's infamous "Mr. Ass" gimmick in the Attitude Era. While Billy Gunn himself initially had no comment, the rest of Gunn Club despised the nickname after fans began chanting "Ass Boys" during their matches. Billy Gunn finally commented when he surprised his sons by wearing an "Ass Boys" shirt, encouraging them to "embrace the assness" and even started teasing mooning the crowd again.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cagesideseats.com/aew/2021/12/18/22843992/billy-gunn-thanks-danhausen-ass-boys-nickname-austin-colten-sons-club|title = Billy Gunn thanks Danhausen for getting his sons' asses over|website=Cagesideseats.com| date=December 18, 2021 }}

In May 2022, the Gunn Club formed an alliance with the Acclaimed which lasted until July 2022 when the Gunn Club turned on the Acclaimed; on the August 3, 2022 episode of Dynamite, the Acclaimed defeated the Gunn Club in a dumpster match.{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/aew/results/aew-dynamite-live-results-jon-moxley-vs-brody-king-interim-world-title-match|title=AEW Dynamite live results: Jon Moxley vs. Brody King Interim World title match|access-date=August 4, 2022|website=F4WOnline.com|date=July 6, 2022|first=Parker|last=Klyn}}{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/aew/results/aew-dynamite-live-results-chris-jericho-vs-wheeler-yuta|title=AEW Dynamite live results: Chris Jericho vs. Wheeler Yuta|access-date=August 4, 2022|website=F4WOnline.com|date=August 3, 2022|first=Parker|last=Klyn}} On the August 17, 2022 episode of Dynamite, Colten and Austin turned on their father, aligning themselves with Stokely Hathaway.{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/aew/results/aew-dynamite-live-results-game-of-thrones-house-of-the-dragon-episode|title=AEW Dynamite live results: Game of Thrones 'House of the Dragon' episode|access-date=August 18, 2022|website=F4WOnline.com|date=August 17, 2022|first=Parker|last=Klyn}} In September 2022, the Gunns formed a new stable, "the Firm", with Hathaway, MJF, Ethan Page, Lee Moriarty, and W. Morrissey.{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/aew/mjf-returns-cm-punk-regains-aew-world-title-at-all-out|title=MJF returns, CM Punk regains AEW World title at All Out|access-date=October 12, 2022|website=F4WOnline.com|date=September 5, 2022|first=Josh|last=Nason}}{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/aew/results/aew-dynamite-live-results-grand-slam-tournament-of-champions-semifinals|title=AEW Dynamite live results: Grand Slam Tournament of Champions semifinals|access-date=October 12, 2022|website=F4WOnline.com|date=September 14, 2022|first=Ryan|last=Howard}} The following month, the Firm attacked MJF after he fired Hathaway.{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/aew/results/aew-dynamite-live-results-jon-moxley-vs-penta-el-zero-miedo-world-title-match|title=AEW Dynamite live results: Jon Moxley vs. Penta El Zero Miedo World title match|access-date=October 27, 2022|website=F4WOnline.com|date=October 26, 2022|first=Ryan|last=Howard}} On the February 8, 2023 episode of Dynamite, the Gunns defeated the Acclaimed to win their first AEW World Tag Team Championship.{{cite web|url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/aew/the-gunns-crowned-aew-tag-team-champions-on-dynamite|title=The Gunns crowned AEW Tag Team Champions on Dynamite|access-date=February 9, 2023|website=F4WOnline.com|date=February 8, 2023|first=Ethan|last=Renner}} At Revolution in March 2023, the Gunns successfully defended their titles in a four way match against the Acclaimed, Danhausen and Orange Cassidy, and Jay Lethal and Jeff Jarrett. On the April 5, 2023 episode of Dynamite, the Gunns lost the AEW World Tag Team Championship to FTR in a title versus career match. This would effectively disband The Firm, with the Gunns allying with Jay White and Juice Robinson of Bullet Club Gold.{{cite web |date=5 June 2023 |title=AEW Star to be ROH's New Authority Figure – TJR Wrestling |url=https://tjrwrestling.net/news/aew-star-to-be-rohs-new-authority-figure/}}{{cite web |last1=Rose |first1=Bryan |date=1 July 2023 |title=The Gunns officially join Bullet Club Gold on AEW Collision |url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/aew/the-gunns-officially-join-bullet-club-gold-on-aew-collision |access-date=2 July 2023 |website=WON/F4W - WWE news, Pro Wrestling News, WWE Results, AEW News, AEW results |ref=GunnsJoinBCG}}

On January 17, 2024, The Gunns and White defeated Mogul Embassy (Brian Cage, Kaun and Toa Liona) for the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championship.{{cite web |last=Powell |first=Jason |date=January 17, 2024 |title=AEW Dynamite results (1/17): Powell's live review of Samoa Joe vs. Hook for the AEW World Championship, Christian Cage vs. Dustin Rhodes for the TNT Title, Mogul Embassy vs. Bullet Club Gold for the ROH Six-Man Titles |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/01/17/aew-dynamite-results-1-17-powells-live-review-of-samoa-joe-vs-hook-for-the-aew-world-championship-christian-cage-vs-dustin-rhodes-for-the-tnt-title-mogul-embassy-vs-bullet-club-gol/ |access-date=January 18, 2024 |work=Pro Wrestling Dot Net}} On the January 20 episode of Collision, The Gunns, White, The Acclaimed, and Billy Gunn joined forces to form a stable known as the Bang Bang Scissor Gang, reuniting Austin and Colten with their father Billy. On March 13 at Big Business, Bullet Club Gold turned on The Acclaimed and Billy Gunn, disbanding the Bang Bang Scissor Gang. On April 5 at Supercard of Honor, Austin returned to ROH, teaming with Colten and White to retain their ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championships against Monstersauce (Lance Archer and Alex Zayne) and Minoru Suzuki. At Dynasty: Zero Hour on April 21, 2024, Bullet Club Gold defeated The Acclaimed for the AEW World Trios Championship in a winner takes all championship unification match to unify the titles as the Unified World Trios Championship.{{Cite web |title=Bullet Club Gold Are The Unified World Trios Champions |url=https://www.allelitewrestling.com/post/bullet-club-gold-are-the-unified-trios-champions |access-date=April 22, 2024 |website=AEW|date=April 22, 2024 }}{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Haley |date=April 21, 2024 |title=Bullet Club Gold Become the Inaugural Unified World Trios Champions at AEW Dynasty |url=https://comicbook.com/wwe/news/bullet-club-gold-become-the-inaugural-unified-world-trios-champions-at-aew-dynasty/ |access-date=April 22, 2024 |website=ComicBook |language=}} During this time, Bullet Club Gold would be renamed to the Bang Bang Gang.{{Cite web |date=2024-05-23 |title=Bang Bang Gang vs. Death Triangle Set For AEW Double Or Nothing |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/unified-trios-title-match-set-004559805.html |access-date=2024-05-24 |website=Yahoo Entertainment |language=en-US}} On the June 5 Rampage tapings, a returning Robinson wrestled his first match since his return, teaming with The Gunns to win a trios match. After the match, White announced that he was giving Robinson a share of the Unified Trios Championship held by White and the Gunns, thus invoking the Freebird Rule.{{cite web |title=AEW Rampage Results for June 7, 2024 |url=http://allelitewrestling.com/post/aew-rampage-results-for-june-7-2024 |access-date=June 7, 2024 |website=All Elite Wrestling.com |publisher=AEW Staff}} However, on the July 13 episode of Collision, interim AEW Executive Vice President Christopher Daniels overruled Bang Bang Gang's attempt to invoke the Freebird Rule and stripped them of the Unified World Trios Championship.{{Cite web |last=Powell |first=Jason |date=July 13, 2024 |title=AEW Collision results (7/13): Powell's live review of Matt Taven and Mike Bennett vs. Orange Cassidy and Kyle O'Reilly, Konosuke Takeshita vs. Tommy Billington, Skye Blue vs. Harley Cameron |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/07/13/aew-collision-results-7-13-powells-live-review-of-matt-taven-and-mike-bennett-vs-orange-cassidy-and-kyle-oreilly-konosuke-takeshita-vs-tommy-billington-skye-blue-vs-harley-cameron/ |access-date=July 14, 2024 |website=Pro Wrestling Dot Net |language=}} On the following week, The Gunns and Robinson failed to win the vacant AEW World Trios Championship, which was won by The Patriarchy (Christian Cage, Killswitch and Nick Wayne) after interference from Mother Wayne.{{Cite web |last=Murphy |first=Don |date=July 20, 2024 |title=AEW Collision results (7/20): Murphy's review of Austin Gunn, Colten Gunn, and Juice Robinson vs. The Patriarchy for the vacant Unified Trios Titles, Thunder Rosa vs. Deonna Purrazzo in a lumberjack match |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2024/07/20/aew-collision-results-7-20-murphys-review-of-austin-gunn-colten-gunn-and-juice-robinson-vs-the-patriarchy-for-the-vacant-unified-trios-titles-thunder-rosa-vs-deonna-purrazzo-in-a-lumberjack/ |access-date=July 21, 2024 |website=Pro Wrestling Dot Net |language=}}

On the February 5, 2025 episode of Dynamite, The Gunns returned after a brief hiatus and challenged The Hurt Syndicate (Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin) to a match for the AEW World Tag Championships, which they accepted.{{Cite web |date=2025-02-06 |title=AEW Dynamite live results: Swerve Strickland vs. Ricochet |url=https://www.f4wonline.com/news/aew/aew-results/aew-dynamite-live-results-swerve-strickland-vs-ricochet/ |access-date=2025-02-06 |website=F4W/WON |language=en-GB}} On the February 12 episode of Dynamite, The Gunns were defeated by The Hurt Syndicate.{{Cite web |last=Powell |first=Jason |date=2025-02-13 |title=AEW Dynamite results (2/12): Barnett's live review of Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin vs. Gunn Club for the AEW Tag Titles, MJF vs. Dustin Rhodes, Death Riders vs. Undisputed Kingdom for the AEW Trios Titles |url=https://prowrestling.net/site/2025/02/12/aew-dynamite-results-2-12-barnetts-live-review-of-bobby-lashley-and-shelton-benjamin-vs-gunn-club-for-the-aew-tag-titles-mjf-vs-dustin-rhodes-death-riders-vs-undisputed-kingdom-for-the-aew-t/ |access-date=2025-02-13 |website=Pro Wrestling Dot Net |language=en-US}}

Other media

On December 6, 2021, it was announced that Gunn would appear on the E! reality television series Relatively Famous: Ranch Rules, which aired in early 2022.{{Cite web|url=https://www.wrestlinginc.com/news/2021/12/aew-star-announced-for-reality-tv-show/|title=AEW Star Announced For Reality TV Show|website=Wrestlinginc.com|date=December 6, 2021 |access-date=April 7, 2022}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.eonline.com/shows/relatively_famous_ranch_rules|title = Relatively Famous: Ranch Rules|website=Eonline.com}}

Championships and accomplishments

All Elite Wrestling
AEW World Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Colten Gunn{{cite web|url=https://www.allelitewrestling.com/aew-world-tag-team-championship-his|title=Official AEW World Tag Team Championship Title History|publisher=All Elite Wrestling|access-date=February 9, 2023|archive-date=February 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200227113429/https://www.allelitewrestling.com/aew-world-tag-team-championship-his|url-status=dead}}
AEW World Trios Championship (1 time) – with Colten Gunn and Jay White
New South Wrestling
New South Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Colten Gunn{{cite web|url=https://www.cagematch.net//?id=1&nr=338163|title=NSW Resurrection|website=Cagematch.net|access-date=April 7, 2022}}
Ring of Honor
ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championship (1 time) – with Colten Gunn and Jay White