Jim Ross has denied allegations that he once told D-Von Dudley he did not like him because of the color of his skin.
The accusation, which Dudley had alluded to for years before naming Ross as the individual in question in October, was addressed by Ross on the Christmas Day edition of his Grilling JR podcast.
Ross stated he “never uttered those words” and expressed confusion over why the claim was made.
Dudley stated in October that a “higher-up” in WWE, later identified as Ross, had told him to his face that he was disliked because of his race. Speaking to Conrad Thompson, Ross rejected the claim entirely.
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.
Ross, who served as Head of Talent Relations during the Dudley Boyz’ initial WWE run, emphasized his role in bringing the team into the company and his admiration for their work, specifically their Tables, Ladders, and Chairs matches.
You know, those, those TLC matches arepieces of art. They’ll last forever. The Dudleys are a major part of that…I don’t know. I was, I was shocked to hear that.
Ross questioned the motivation behind the accusation, speculating that Dudley might be unsatisfied with his current position in the industry compared to his tag team partner, Bubba Ray Dudley.
I always respected him and his work. I love 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, uh, 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 has made a tremendous success himself as a broadcaster, and still works. So, I never said that.
Conrad Thompson noted during the discussion that he initially did not believe the accusation was directed at Ross, citing Ross’s history with other talent. Thompson said:
I know that sometimes you get lumped in because we know that, at different points, people have been disappointed in things that Bill Watts has said. That almost feels like guilt by association.
Never has anyone, as far as I know, made an allegation like this in your career. And it feels like if it was going to come up, it may have come up before now.
Ross cited his relationships with some of the black wrestlers he had worked with or signed over the years.
Ask some of the African-American athletes that I signed. Ask Shelton Benjamin. If JYD was here, ask him. Butch Reed.
Ross also credited the late Ernie Ladd for teaching him how to work effectively with African-American talent, stating he “owed Ernie…a lot”.
Despite the severity of the allegation, Ross maintained that he holds no ill will toward Dudley. When asked by Thompson if he would be open to having a conversation or sharing a barbecue meal with Dudley, Ross initially joked, “If he was buying,” before clarifying his stance on a potential reconciliation.
Hey, if it came up, I wouldn’t boycott that opportunity, but I wouldn’t go seek it out either. I haven’t seen D-Von in years and years. Maybe I should. I don’t know. But I’m not mad at him. I just don’t, I’m puzzled by why he said what he said.
Dudley has not yet responded to Ross’s denial.
The relevant part of the interview can be viewed below.
