Legendary tag team The Dudley Boyz, consisting of Bubba Ray Dudley (aka Bully Ray, Brother Ray) and D-Von Dudley (aka Brother Devon, Reverend D-Von), have recently signed new WWE Legends contracts, according to an interview with Sports Illustrated. The duo will be making their in-ring return and reunion at the Impact 1000 tapings this weekend.
Although no specific details were provided about the WWE deals, it is clear that the most decorated tag team in history is excited to return to the ring. The Impact 1000 taping, which will air on Thursday, September 14, will mark their first standard tag team match together since their victory over Neville (aka PAC) and Sami Zayn at the SummerSlam 2016 pre-show. This will also be their first Impact match together since defeating Tommy Dreamer and Abyss (aka Chris Park) in a Hardcore Match at Bound For Glory 2014.
Throughout their near-30-year career, Bubba and D-Von have worked for all the top companies, but their Impact run is considered their most complete body of work. Bubba expressed his excitement about returning to Impact, stating, “We spent more time in Impact than in ECW or WWE. It’s going to be fun to get back for one night. We never thought this would happen with Devon’s health, but he says he feels great. So we’re going out there on Saturday, and we’re going to give our fanbase what they know, love, and expect from Team 3D.”
While D-Von officially retired shortly after their last match together in December 2016, Bubba has continued to wrestle and is currently a top heel in Impact. D-Von’s in-ring future seemed uncertain after suffering a stroke in 2019 while working as a WWE Producer. However, he made a remarkable recovery from the stroke and underwent back surgery. In January of this year, D-Von left WWE after working as a backstage producer since September 2016. He then returned to the ring and has been improving ever since, culminating in his first match in 7 years at the Impact 1000 tapings.
Reflecting on their time in Impact, both Bubba and D-Von expressed pride in their work. Bubba mentioned their singles run in the Aces & Eights storyline, saying, “Eric Bischoff saw something that no one else really had, which is what led to working as singles wrestlers in Aces & Eights. It’s a body of work I’m extremely proud of.” D-Von went even further, declaring that their Impact run was better than their time in WWE. He explained, “We had a better run in TNA than we did in WWE. But that’s our story – we’ve always been able to create something special.”
The Dudley Boyz, who are recognized as 23-time or 24-time tag team champions depending on the promotions included, were inducted into the Impact Hall of Fame in 2014 and the WWE Hall of Fame in 2018. Their impact on the tag team division cannot be overstated, and their return to the ring is highly anticipated by fans.
Team 3D will not only be participating in the Impact 1000 tapings but will also appear at the Impact 1000 Fan Celebration, which will be held on the same day from 11am – 3pm at the same venue. Admission to the fan event is free with a ticket to the Saturday taping.
For more updates on The Dudley Boyz and their return to the ring, stay tuned to prowrestlingwars.com.