D-Von Dudley Hits Back After WWE Legend Denies Racist Remarks
D-Von Dudley has made it clear that a WWE Hall of Famer made racist remarks toward him, despite denials from the wrestling legend.
There have recently been some back-and-forth comments between WWE Hall of Famers D-Von Dudley of the legendary Dudley Boyz tag team and Jim Ross, the legendary announcer, who was also the Head of Talent Relations when D-Von started in WWE during the Attitude Era.
It started when D-Von Dudley implied that Jim Ross had made racist remarks toward him. While revealing that information, D-Von didn’t initially mention Ross by name, but he did mention the ten-gallon hat that JR has famously worn for decades.
“You know, I didn’t wear a ten-gallon hat or anything, but my point was, when a person comes up to you and tells you they don’t like you because of the color of your skin, you sit there thinking, ‘Wow, really? We’re in 1999 or 2000, and you’re still saying cr*p like this?’
There were certain people in that organization in that time that felt that I should not have said anything, who had the power to basically bury me if need be just because I might have stood up for what I felt was right.”
After those initial comments, D-Von later confirmed that he was talking about Jim Ross, who has been working for AEW since the company launched in 2019.
“Did I come out and say ten-gallon hat? Yes. Did Maven let the cat out of the bag? Yes. Was it JR? Yes. I did have a problem with JR back then. I didn’t know why.”
While speaking on his Grilling JR podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross denied the racist claims that D-Von was making.
“That’s so absurd. It shouldn’t even merit a response. I like D-Von. I like him today. I hired him and Bubba. I thought we did a good job of booking them.
I was shocked to hear that, because I don’t recall ever having a cross word with D-Von Dudley. I always respected him and his work… I never said that to D-Von Dudley. Why he would conjure that up—I guess to get attention—I don’t know.
Maybe he’s not as happy with his post-wrestling life as Bubba is, because Bubba has made a tremendous success of himself as a broadcaster.
At my age and with my health situations and everything else, I’ve got nothing to gain by saying, ‘Yeah, I said that one time and I really regret it.’ I never said it.”
D-Von Dudley Reveals More About JR’s Apparent Racist Remarks
In response to what Ross said, D-Von Dudley appeared on his Devon and The Duke podcast to make it clear that he was asked a question, and he answered it truthfully.
“A question was asked and I answered it. It’s as simple as that.”
As he discussed what JR said further, D-Von said that his tag team partner, Bubba Ray Dudley, had to stop D-Von from attacking JR following a racist remark. According to D-Von, Ross may have been drinking when he said it, but that doesn’t excuse a comment like that.
“Bubba had to grab me after seeing my fist out of the corner of his eye because he knew I was going to swing.
It wasn’t a Black person accusing him. It was Bubba. And say what you want about Bubba – he’s not going to lie.”
Regarding Ross’s response to what D-Von made public, D-Von wasn’t impressed by what JR had to say.
“Instead of saying, ‘Hey, sorry, if I did say that,’ or ‘I don’t recall,’ that’s not what I got.”
While once again clarifying why he mentioned the racism incident with Ross, D-Von made it clear he was just answering a question that he was asked.
“I didn’t even want to say the name. I was going to keep it quiet. Am I lying? No, I’m not lying. A question was asked, and I answered it.” (H/T WWFOldschool)
After starting his pro wrestling career 33 years ago, D-Von Dudley retired in October 2025 when he and Bubba teamed up one final time against The Hardys at TNA Bound For Glory. The Hardys were able to win their “One Final Table” match while D-Von is content with never wrestling again.