D-Von Dudley has heard Andrade’s complaints about WWE giving Samoan wrestlers more opportunities than Mexican talent, and he doesn’t understand why the Samoans needed to catch a stray. D-Von thinks Andrade can argue for more opportunities without pointing at another group and saying they’re getting too much.
Speaking on the Duke Loves Rasslin podcast, D-Von was told about Andrade’s recent comments claiming WWE repeatedly gives Samoan wrestlers opportunities while Mexican talent doesn’t receive the same treatment. Once he heard the argument, D-Von questioned why Andrade made it about race in the first place.
“Why is there got to be too many Samoans? Why are we even at narrowing it down period to a race of people? Why can’t we just say, you know, we wish we could have more Latinos being produced?”
D-Von’s point was pretty simple. He has no problem with Andrade wanting to see more Mexican or Latino wrestlers become stars. He just doesn’t think that requires blaming Samoan talent for getting pushed.
“Don’t say that there’s too many Samoans being pushed. Why Andrade would say that is beyond me and then go public with it. I don’t get it.”
That doesn’t mean D-Von thinks Andrade’s entire argument should be dismissed. The two know each other from WWE, and D-Von said they used to speak regularly when he worked there as a producer. They haven’t talked in a while, so he doesn’t know what Andrade was thinking when he made the comments.
“I’m not saying that the man is wrong, but I’m not saying he’s right either. I’m in between. I’m like, but you don’t have to go that route. I don’t think you have to call out a certain race of people to say that they’re getting pushed more.”
D-Von also isn’t buying the idea that WWE’s current Samoan stars shouldn’t be getting the television time they receive. He specifically brought up Roman Reigns, The Usos, Jacob Fatu and Solo Sikoa, saying he enjoys what WWE is doing with them.
“I enjoy what’s going on with the Bloodline. I enjoy with everything that’s going on with the Usos. I enjoy everything that’s going on with Roman, you know, and I love everything that’s going on with Jacob, you know, and Solo, same thing. I love the whole thing. It’s interesting TV. How do you blame the Samoans for that? I mean, look, if the storylines are good and they’re doing it to a T, then why am I mad at them?”
He pointed to Jey Uso and Solo as examples of wrestlers currently entertaining the audience. If people are responding to what they’re doing, D-Von doesn’t see why WWE should hold back simply because they’re Samoan.
“So, am I not gonna push him because he’s Samoan? No. Come on. Or even the fact that, you know, I just—I can’t—I just don’t understand that way of thinking.”
D-Von also made sure people didn’t turn his response into some new personal feud with Andrade. He isn’t trying to bury him. He simply thinks Andrade went about making a legitimate complaint in the wrong way.
“We’re not bad mouthing the guy. We’re just saying I don’t—I don’t think he should say that too many Samoan guys are being pushed and not enough, you know, Mexican wrestlers. I—I don’t feel that at all.”
D-Von’s answer ultimately comes down to what works on television. Andrade wants more opportunities for Mexican wrestlers, while D-Von’s response is basically: ask for those opportunities without blaming the Samoans who are already making theirs work.
Do you agree with D-Von Dudley’s response to Andrade, or do you think Andrade had a point about how WWE distributes opportunities? Let us know in the comments.
This transcript was produced exclusively for Ringside News from the original recording. Republishing the transcription in full is prohibited. When using excerpts, provide prominent credit and a link to this article.
