During his Ask JR Anything Christmas edition of his podcast, AEW broadcaster and WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross, denied D-Von Dudley’s allegations of being a racist.
Back in October on his YouTube Channel, Dudley alleged that in WWE around 1999-2000, Ross told him he didn’t like him because of the color of his skin. D-Von’s former tag team partner Bubba Ray Dudley backed up the story. D-Von also said that Paul Heyman, Spike Dudley and Tommy Dreamer were also present at the time when Ross made the comment.
“Recently I heard that D-Von Dudley thought I was a racist. That’s so absurd. It’s not even — it doesn’t merit a response. I like D-Von. I like him today. I hired he and Bubba. I thought we did a good job of booking them. They made money. They were put in situations where they could do the things they do best. You know, those TLC matches were pieces of art. They’ll last forever. The Dudleys were a major part of that. I know Bubba for sure because I’ve heard it was involved in the booking of that stuff. And I don’t know. 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 loved the Dudley tag team. So I was — it took me totally off guard. I never said that to D-Von Dudley. And why he would conjure up that, I guess to get attention. I thought, well, maybe he’s not as happy with his post-wrestling life as Bubba is, because Bubba’s made a tremendous success of himself as a broadcaster — and still works. So, I never said that. Some people I’m sure are going to still believe it, and that’s their prerogative, but I’m not angry at D-Von. I just am curious and don’t understand why he went there. Just don’t get it. I still have great respect for D-Von and I’m glad that we got to work together. But I never uttered those words.”
Ross named off Black wrestlers such as Shelton Benjamin, Junkyard Dog and Ernie Ladd that he has either signed to contracts or loved working with his time in pro wrestling.
Ross will be in attendance for the January 7, 2026 AEW Dynamite at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Source: F4WOnline