I need to go re-read Bret's book, but I'm pretty sure this is an attitude he's had since virtually day one, and I'm pretty sure he was super critical of Dynamite Kid and LOD for doing the same stupid super stiff bullshit.
E: And I think the reason Bret is okay with gigging is because it's an agreed upon thing and is done in a way that minimizes potential risk (usually a small self-inflicted cut and I think shit like chops you can't control and can potentially injure someone accidentally is why Bret has a hair up his ass about it because it speaks towards the worker's approach to protecting their opponent. Yes, it is a weird autistic hair to be splitting, but Bret is a weird autistic guy when it comes to wrestling.