Devon Dudley Fires Back at Fans Who Say Racism From 20 Years Ago Doesn’t Matter

Devon Dudley is tired of being told to stay quiet about his experiences with racism in the wrestling industry — especially when the pushback is coming from his own community.

On a recent episode of Devon & The Duke, the WWE Hall of Famer finally addressed fans who’ve criticized him for revealing that Jim Ross allegedly made racist comments to him over 20 years ago. While some argue it’s “old news,” Devon made it clear: the trauma doesn’t expire just because it happened decades ago.

“Why is it that every Black person has to sweep it underneath the rug when something like this is exposed, and we’re not supposed to speak about it — or it shouldn’t bother us because it’s been 20-something years later?”

Devon didn’t even want to name Ross at first, but said he was pressured into revealing it after both Maven and Bubba Ray Dudley pushed him to speak up. Even then, he tried to protect Ross out of sympathy — something that earned him unexpected backlash from fans.

“I even got hate from some African-American people on Instagram because I didn’t say the name. They wanted me to say who it was. A lot of Black people feel like when something like that happens, it needs to be exposed — because we’ve been treated so bad over the years.”

He emphasized that holding it in for so long wasn’t easy, and the only reason it finally came out was because the story needed to be told — especially when it comes to accountability in positions of power.

“The only way you’re going to expose racist comments and things like that is if you expose it for what it truly is. And it’s wrong. It’s wrong and it’s not right.”

Devon also sounded off on the entitlement he sees from fans online — particularly on social media platforms like Twitter (now X). While he loves interacting with supporters at live events or scheduled appearances, he’s frustrated with the way some fans act like they own the talent.

“These fans think they can say and do whatever they want to you — like they have the right to do that. ‘Oh, we pay your paycheck.’ Yeah, you might go in there and pay the money so we can live the life we live — but remember, we’re doing our job, which is entertaining you, and that’s all we have to do.”

Devon made it clear that while he has love for his fans, respect is a two-way street — and if some don’t like what he has to say about real-life experiences, that’s on them.

Devon Dudley has never shied away from the truth, and he’s not about to start now. Whether it’s racism in the locker room or toxic entitlement online, he’s speaking from the heart — and from experience.

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