Subhojeet Mukherjee on January 17, 2026
The tension between D-Von Dudley and Jim Ross isn’t cooling off in front of the cameras—because D-Von says there will be no cameras.
During the January 17, 2026 episode of the DukeLovesRasslin podcast, D-Von responded to Jim Ross’ latest remarks from Grilling JR, where the Hall of Fame announcer denied ever making the comment and said he’d be happy to reconnect — just not in front of cameras. But D-Von isn’t biting — and he doesn’t want this reconciliation to be a public production.
“I’m not interested. I’m sorry, I’m going to cut you off. I’m not interested in any way, shape, or form to put it on video.”
He stressed that this situation — rooted in a serious allegation of racism during WWE’s Attitude Era — isn’t something to be turned into content for audience consumption.
“This is not content that I think should be on video between two guys who had an issue — or I should say one guy, because JR says he doesn’t seem to have an issue with me. But I had the issue with him, and it doesn’t need to be videoed.”
When host Duke mentioned that JR’s team — including Maven and Conrad Thompson — had floated the idea of taping a sit-down, D-Von made it clear: he’s not interested in doing anything for show. In fact, he doesn’t even want an audience at all.
“Two men can sit down and talk and iron this out without cameras. I’m not asking for a crowd. I’m not asking for a crowd at all.”
D-Von also clarified that while he’s open to a private conversation with Jim Ross, he’s not chasing it — and he doesn’t expect Ross to do anything he doesn’t want to. For those accusing him of trying to get clicks or capitalize on drama, D-Von had a strong answer — this was never about YouTube clout or viral moments.
“Honestly, I’m not even really asking for JR to come sit down and talk. He doesn’t have to. If he wants to, I’d be more than happy to, but he doesn’t have to. I’m not looking to gain YouTube subscribers or views or anything like that.”
D-Von reiterated that something was said to him back then — and even if Jim Ross doesn’t remember it, it doesn’t erase the impact. And in a surprisingly reflective moment, D-Von hinted that maybe this situation came out publicly for a reason — maybe it’s all part of healing.
“The thing is, what was said was said, whether he remembers it or not. Maybe it was God’s timing that it all came out so it could be resolved, I don’t know. But I don’t have any ill feelings toward him.”
That said, his stance is crystal clear: if there’s going to be a resolution, it’s going to be private — no cameras, no podcast plugs, no headlines.
“Again, if he wants to sit down and talk, we can sit down and talk — but I’m not doing it with cameras, because nobody else needs to know what me and JR talk about between me and JR.”
Jim Ross, for his part, said on Grilling JR earlier this month that he denies ever making any racist comments. But he expressed a willingness to talk it out — just not in front of a mic.
“I have no problem reconnecting with D-Von… I’m not interested in making it an angle. I am interested in reconnecting with D-Von — because I like D-Von.”
Now that both sides have made their positions clear, it remains to be seen if they’ll meet privately and put the issue to rest once and for all.
Please credit Ringside News if you use the above transcript in your publication.
Do you think Jim Ross and D-Von Dudley should handle this behind closed doors? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
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