D-Von Dudley gives further details on racism allegations involving Jim Ross
D-Von Dudley has responded to Jim Ross denying allegations that Ross made racist comments toward him during their time together in WWE.
In a video posted to his YouTube channel in late October, D-Von said that a WWE higher-up told him he did not like him because of the color of his skin, implying Ross was the person involved. Bully Ray backed up D-Von’s account. D-Von also described a second incident involving Ross that took place in the presence of Paul Heyman, Spike Dudley, and Tommy Dreamer.
Ross addressed the claim last month, saying he “never uttered those words” and that he does not recall ever having any conflict with D-Von.
On Wednesday, D-Von uploaded another video to his YouTube channel and provided additional details about the two incidents.
D-Von said of an interaction with Ross at WWF New York in 1999:
“It was at the WWE restaurant, the grand opening of it. We were mingling with some of the guests that were there. A lot of them were artists, musical artists, things like that. There were some actors and actresses that were there. WWE really rolled out the red carpet for this event.”
D-Von said he went down to a private room at the restaurant, where Ross later approached him and Bubba. According to D-Von, Ross told them they were doing really well in WWE, but said he was unsure about D-Von.
“He said, ‘You boys are doing really good, and this and that. I like you boys, I like you boys a lot. D-Von, I’m not too sure. The verdict’s still out on him. I’m not too sure how I particularly feel about this.’“
D-Von said Bully Ray interjected at this point.
“And Bubba knew what he was getting at. So Bubba butts in and goes, ‘You know something, JR, regardless of what, D-Von’s a hard worker. He never gives this company any problems.”
“And JR continued, ‘Well, you know, I get that. That’s all good, but there’s just something about him. I’m not sure.'”
“And finally, that’s when it comes out. ‘He’s Black. I just don’t know. That’s my hiccup.'”
D-Von said that Bubba again attempted to interject, telling JR that D-Von is a “good human being.”
D-Von says Ross continued, “‘I’m not saying that he’s not, but I just don’t know. You know, because he’s Black and I just don’t know about that.’”
D-Von continued:
“I had to think about it. If I hit him, we’re going to lose our jobs. If I say something, I can lose my job. Because at that time, I didn’t think that I would be able to fight that. Again, I’m a little fish in a big pond.“
D-Von added that Ross was heavily intoxicated during the incident.
“Remind you though, when he said it he was extremely drunk. He was extremely drunk, slurring his words. But they say when you’re drunk, the truth comes out.”
D-Von then described another incident that took place in Indianapolis.
“And then the other incident was in Indianapolis, where myself, Dreamer, Bubba, Heyman, and Spike were sitting at the table.”
“And I think JR had just come in catering. He had just gotten out of a meeting, and he comes over. He says hello to everybody but me.”
D-Von says that Heyman called Ross out for saying hello to everyone but D-Von.
“Paul pretty much called him out, says, ‘What? You don’t want to say nothing because what? Why don’t you want to say hello to D-Von? What’s wrong with D-Von? What, ’cause he’s Black?’”
“And JR went, ‘You’re damn right cause he’s Black, you’re damn right.”
“I don’t know if he got mad at that and that’s why he said what he said, because his ego got in the way or what have you. But that’s what was said.”
D-Von also said he never had any issues with other WWE executives regarding race, specifically mentioning Vince McMahon and Michael Hayes. He also said he holds no hard feelings for Ross.
D-Von’s full video is available below:
Ian Carey is a writer from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, whose work has been featured in NOW Magazine, The Huffington Post, and more. A lifelong wrestling aficionado born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, he has covered the industry for a decade and a half. He joined the f4wonline.com team in 2019.