D-Von Dudley Opens Up About Dealing With Racism in the Pro-Wrestling Industry

D-Von Dudley, a Hall of Famer in the world of professional wrestling, recently spoke out about the challenges he faced as a black wrestler breaking into the industry. In an interview with Good Karma Wrestling, Dudley discussed the progress that has been made, as well as the ongoing presence of racism within the wrestling business.

Dudley acknowledged that racism was prevalent when he first entered the industry in 1991 and believes it is still a relevant issue today. He quoted Malcolm X, saying, “A lot of the Klan traded in their white sheets for suits,” highlighting the covert nature of racism in the wrestling world. Despite these challenges, Dudley expressed pride in the success of black wrestlers and their ability to pursue their passion for the sport.

During the interview, Dudley shared his experiences of receiving guidance and advice from fellow African American wrestlers like Koko B Ware and Bad News Brown. He mentioned a statement made by Tony Atlas on the “Dark Side of the Ring” episode about Junkyard Dog, emphasizing the need for black wrestlers to navigate the industry differently than their white counterparts.

Dudley also revealed that he had encountered racism within WWE, with a prominent figure in the company’s office expressing dislike towards him because of his race. While he chose not to name the individual, Dudley made it clear that he had no respect or fondness for them. Despite these negative experiences, he emphasized the importance of moving forward and focusing on his successful career alongside his tag team partner, Bubba Ray Dudley.

Regarding their legacy, Dudley acknowledged that they may not be the greatest tag team of all time, given the existence of legendary teams like the Rock N Roll Express, the Midnight Express, and the British Bulldogs. However, Dudley believes that during the Attitude Era and their time in ECW, they were the greatest tag team of their era.

In recent news, it was announced that D-Von Dudley and Bubba Ray Dudley have signed new legends deals with WWE. Fans can find more information about their upcoming appearance at IMPACT 1000 by visiting Wrestling Headlines.

Watch the full interview with D-Von Dudley below:

(H/T and transcribed by Fightful)