D'Von Dudley Names Jim Ross in Racist Remarks

WWE Hall of Famer D'Von Dudley said on a recent episode of the Duke LovesRasslin podcast that longtime wrestling commentator and former WWE executive Jim Ross made racially insensitive remarks toward him during Dudley’s tenure with the company in the late 1990s. Dudley named Ross after weeks of public speculation in which he had hinted at the identity without directly naming anyone.

Dudley said the comments occurred on two separate occasions while Ross was working in a senior role in WWE, and that several colleagues witnessed the incidents. "Was it J.R.? Yes. I did have a problem with J.R. back then," Dudley told the podcast. He said those present included his tag team partner Bubba Ray, Maven, Paul Heyman, Spike Dudley and Tommy Dreamer. Dudley added that he had been repeatedly asked to identify the person responsible and ultimately decided to name Ross as a way of moving forward.

In the interview Dudley sought to clarify that other prominent figures frequently suggested by fans were not involved. He said Vince McMahon, Michael Hayes, John Laurinaitis and Pat Patterson had supported him during his career and were not the source of the remarks. Dudley also emphasized that he...