Jim Ross Rejects Racism Accusations Made By WWE Hall Of Famer

It has been around two months since Jim Ross was accused of racially profiling a colleague in WWE.

Hall of Famer D-Von Dudley hosted his fellow honoree, Bubba Ray, as well as ex-company talent Maven on his YouTube podcast.

At one point, the conversation shifted to racism. D-Von claimed that while he had not experienced it in ECW, he was unfortunately on its receiving end in WWE.

While the 53-year-old did not immediately reveal who the perpetrator was, Bubba pressed him say a name. D-Von noted that it was someone who wore a ten-gallon hat while doing an apparent impression of Jim Ross.

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.

During a different interview with Duke LovesRasslin, D-Von name-dropped Ross, confirming that it was indeed the former WWE commentator who had racially profiled him in the past.

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.

Jim Ross Shuts Down Accusations Of Racism

Jim Ross has finally addressed the comments made by D-Von Dudley, accusing him of racism. Speaking on his Grilling JR podcast, Ross not only rejected the claims but also called them absurd.

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.

Ross revealed that he was surprised by D-Von’s statement, questioning his motives for making such an allegation.

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.

Jim Ross even named other athletes of African-American origin, stating he was never racist towards any of them.

Ask Shelton Benjamin. Ask the African-American athletes I signed. If JYD was here, ask him. I respected D-Von then, and I respect him now. [H/T: Ringside News]