Jim Ross Shuts Down D-Von Dudley’s Racism Allegations

Jim Ross is speaking out—loud and clear—after D-Von Dudley publicly accused him of making racially offensive comments during WWE’s Attitude Era. The legendary commentator isn’t just denying the claim, he’s calling it flat-out absurd.

During a recent episode of Grilling JR, the WWE Hall of Famer finally broke his silence on D-Von’s claim that Ross once told him, “I don’t like you because of the color of your skin.” Ross is adamant: it never happened.

“That’s so absurd. It shouldn’t even merit a response. I like D-Von. I like him today. I hired him and Bubba. I thought we did a good job of booking them.”

Ross, who helped push the Dudley Boyz during WWE’s most iconic tag team era, said he was completely blindsided by the accusation—and even questioned D-Von’s motives.

“I was shocked to hear that, because I don’t recall ever having a cross word with D-Von Dudley. I always respected him and his work… I never said that to D-Von Dudley. Why he would conjure that up—I guess to get attention—I don’t know.”

He then speculated that personal dissatisfaction might be at play, believing Dudley isn’t happy with his post-wrestling life unlike Bubba.

“Maybe he’s not as happy with his post-wrestling life as Bubba is, because Bubba has made a tremendous success of himself as a broadcaster.”

Ross flatly denied ever making such a comment and said he had nothing to gain from lying at this stage in his life, especially considering his current health situation.

“At my age and with my health situations and everything else, I’ve got nothing to gain by saying, ‘Yeah, I said that one time and I really regret it.’ I never said it.”

Good ol’ JR defended his character by pointing to the many Black talents he helped bring into WWE, including Shelton Benjamin.

“Ask Shelton Benjamin. Ask the African-American athletes I signed. If JYD was here, ask him. I respected D-Von then, and I respect him now.”

This all stems from D-Von’s October 2025 appearance on Duke Loves Rasslin, where he revealed for the first time that Jim Ross was the unnamed figure from a past story about a racist remark during the Attitude Era.

“Did I come out and say ten-gallon hat? Yes. Did Maven let the cat out of the bag? Yes. Was it J.R.? Yes, I did have a problem with J.R. back then.”

D-Von claimed witnesses like Bubba Ray, Paul Heyman, Spike Dudley, and Tommy Dreamer were all present at the time—and added that while he forgave JR, the pain still lingered.

“Was I disappointed with that man when he said the things he said to me back then? Yes, I was. Now, he can sit there and deny it all he wants, but again, Bubba was there, and Bubba said that he remembers the incident on my podcast. Paul Heyman was there, Spike Dudley was there, and Tommy Dreamer was there.

Whether he remembered or not—which I think he does—but you know, it is what it is with that. I can’t go back and change it and neither can he. Like I said, I forgave him. But I don’t have to forget.”

But now, with Ross going public to deny everything in detail, fans are caught between two wrestling legends with very different versions of history.

What’s your take—do you believe Jim Ross’s denial or D-Von Dudley’s recollection? Should the two meet and settle this in private, or does the wrestling world need these stories out in the open? Drop your thoughts below.

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