D-Von Dudley Names Jim Ross Behind Racist Remarks in Initial WWE Run

D-Von initially spoke openly about racism in WWE during his time with the company from 1999 to 2005. He discussed his experiences with Bubba Ray Dudley and Maven during his appearance on Video Gamer.

The 53-year-old told his brother and former colleague that he had no respect for the individual who was racist to him:

"It was definitely a behind-the-scenes thing. I’ve certainly dealt with it with higher-ups, like MVP said. I dealt with that certain higher up who told me to my face, they don’t like me because of the color of my skin. And they work for other organizations now, and this person knows who he is. I have no respect for that person. I don’t really care for him. Now that he’s not in the position that he once was, I just really don’t care for him."

Bubba Ray and Maven's responses to D-Von's comments suggested Jim Ross was the individual in question. He has now confirmed that's the case while appearing on Duke Loves Rasslin:

"Did I come out and say ‘ten-gallon hat’? Yes. Did Maven let the cat out of the bag? Yes. Was it JR? Yes. I did have a problem with JR back then and I didn’t know why. I’m not angry at the man today. I know he’s dealing with health issues, and to show you where I am in my life now, I pray that God heals his body. But was I disappointed when he said what he said to me back then? Yes, I was... "

Ross spent around 20 years as a commentator and influential backstage figure before leaving the promotion in 2019. He is now working at AEW.

D-Von added:

"I don’t wish the man any harm or illness. I was very hurt, very bothered, by what he said on two separate occasions. And just like I’ve said about Hogan, I’m not asking anyone to forget, but you do have to forgive. And I’ve forgiven him in my heart. I haven’t talked to him, and when I see him, I don’t say anything, because he’s never come to me to apologise. He might say he doesn’t remember… and that’s fine."

Ross also served as head of talent relations during his time with WWE, overseeing scouting and signing wrestlers. Some of the names who came into the company under his watch included Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, John Cena, Batista, Randy Orton and Edge.

D-Von arrived in WWE alongside Bubba Ray in 1999, after Ross had monitored ECW for potential talent to sign. Paul Heyman, the former ECW runner, was also influential and it's claimed that he was present during the racism incident:

"He can deny it all he wants, but Bubba was there — and he remembers the incident. Paul Heyman was there, Spike Dudley was there, Tommy Dreamer was there. All these people witnessed it, and none of them are Black. I say that because people love to claim, ‘Oh, if they were Black, they’d stick together and pull the race card…’ No one is pulling anything here. And I’m not saying this now because I’m retired or no longer with the company."

Fellow WWE Hall of Famer, Booker T, responded to D-Von's accusation before it was confirmed to have been Ross. He claimed on his podcast that he had the opposite experience whilst working with the commentator, although he said he "100%" believes the now-retired Dudley brother.