Jim Ross has responded strongly after D-Von Dudley accused him of making racist remarks during their time in WWE. The renowned commentator firmly denied the allegations, calling them absurd.
On a recent episode of “Grilling JR,” WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross addressed D-Von’s claim that Ross once said, “I hate you because of the color of your skin.” Ross insisted this never occurred.
Ross, who played a key role in promoting the Dudley Boyz during WWE’s legendary tag team era, said he was taken aback by the accusation and questioned D-Von’s reasons for making it.
He stated, “That’s so stupid. It’s not even worth responding to. I like D-Von. I like him today. I hired him and Bubba. I think we did a good job of booking them.”
Ross further revealed his surprise, saying he had never had any conflicts with D-Von and respected him and his work. He speculated that D-Von might have made the claim to attract attention.
D-Von, unlike Bubba, apparently has not found satisfaction after leaving wrestling, which Ross suggested might be a factor in the situation.
Ross, speaking plainly, denied ever making such offensive remarks and said there was no benefit to lying about it now, especially given his current health issues.
He defended his character by mentioning the many African-American talents he helped bring into WWE, including Shelton Benjamin.
The controversy originated from D-Von’s comments on the podcast “Duke Loves Rasslin” in October 2025, where he revealed Jim Ross as the unnamed person involved in a past story about racist comments from the Attitude Era.
D-Von said, “Did I come out and say ten-gallon hat? Yes. Did Mayvin let the cat out of the bag? Yes. Was it JR? Yes, we had issues with JR at the time.”
D-Von claimed that Bubba Ray, Paul Heyman, Spike Dudley, and Tommy Dreamer witnessed the incident and added that, although he has forgiven Ross, the hurt remains.
He commented, “Was I disappointed in the guy because of what he said to me at that time? Yes, I was. Now he can deny it all he wants, but Bubba was there and recalled the incident on my podcast. Paul Heyman was there, Spike Dudley was there, Tommy Dreamer was there too. I don’t know if he remembers, but I think he does. It is what it is. We can’t change the past. I forgave him, but there’s no need to forget.”
Now, with Ross publicly denying these claims in detail, fans are left to decide between two wrestling legends with very different perspectives.
What do you think? Do you believe Jim Ross’s denial or D-Von Dudley’s recollections? Should they resolve this privately, or is it important for the wrestling community to know the full story? Share your thoughts below.
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Fan Take: This controversy highlights the complex histories and personal dynamics behind WWE’s on-screen stories and real-life relationships. How it unfolds could impact the legacy of two iconic figures and influence WWE’s ongoing conversations about race and respect within the industry.
