Something To Wrestle - The Dudley Boyz [Show Notes] (Patreon)

Bruce we’re discussing all things Dudley Boyz. They were the winner of our poll - yes we still do polls on our social media - and we put up 4 tag teams.

The Dudley Boyz, the Nasty Boys, The Headshrinkers and the Powers of Pain.

The Dudleyz got the win over my choice the Nasty Boys - and you know what Bruce - next week - after we’re done discussing the Dudleyz - we will be getting down and nasty with the Nasty Boys…

Now onto our topic. The team from Dudleyville got their start in the WWF right when ECW was about to make its biggest move - to TNN…now the story has always been that the Dudleys requested a $1 raise from Paul Heyman to stay in ECW and Paul turned them down. Is that how you heard the story?

Have you ever seen the Dudleys work in ECW? Or was your first experience seeing them when ECW invaded the Manhattan Center on Raw and Buh Buh took on Dreamer? Did they leave an impression on you that night?

Bubba was a major part of ECW booking buildings and the such - was that something you know of that ever came up for him as part of his signing?

It’s been long said it was a Vince Russo idea to bring in the Dudleys…is that how you remember it?

Gabe Sapolsky - at the time Paul Heyman’s assistant - has said after the fact that the Dudleys were a much bigger blow leaving ECW than Taz was. Do you think that?

The Dudleys made their WWF debut in a dark match on August 30th 1999 defeating Knuckles Nelson & Tim McNeany.

Their televised debut was on SmackDown a few days later, interfering in a tag team gauntlet match. What was your first impression of them in front of a WWF audience?

Bubba was turned back into a stuttering buffoon compared to the hard heel he was in ECW - did you love this?

Obviously the ECW Dudleys - with the raunchy promos and heat seeking that riled up every crowd - couldn’t just come over as their ECW characters - but why this version of the Dudleys?

The line from ECW that D-Von used…thou shalt not steal, kill or fuck with the Dudley Boyz - became in the WWF steal, kill or mess with the Dudley Boyz - who loved that line enough to keep it?

Almost immediately they’re programmed into what was a very competitive tag team division - attacking the Acolytes and Edge & Christian. 1999 found the WWF with some great tag teams when it wasn’t really a focus for a long time - what was the shift here?

The Dudleys first match on Raw is against the Hardys and it features Stevie Richards dressed as a Dudley - in the tie dye - and Faarooq - who’s doing commentary - almost kills him. The Dudleys get the win with 3D - how impressive was the finish in your mind Bruce?

Why the tie dye? Do you know who’s idea that was?

Now in this match - the Acolytes - make reference to the Public Enemy - who earlier that year - got the shit kicked out of them by the Acolytes. Did the Dudleys have to get over the Public Enemy heat?

What was the difference between the Dudleys & the Public Enemy?

The Dudleys and the Acolytes are programmed together - just a bunch of bad dudes getting in a ring and beating the shit out of each other. Was this a trial by fire for the Dudleys?

What did JBL & Faarooq think of working with them?

Were the other Dudleys considered about coming in - Sign Guy, Big Dick, Spike at the time?

At Unforgiven the Dudleys had their first pay-per-view match

From the Observer

“4. The Acolytes beat The Dudleys in 7:28. They are making far too many ECW references in commentary for there not to be far more of a relationship between the two companies than anyone is letting on. Buh Buh looked really bad doing high spots. No heat at all. Bradshaw did a really hot backwards superplex standing on the top rope on D-Von for a near fall, which got no heat. The Dudleys did the 3-D on Faarooq. Stevie Richards came out dressed as an Acolyte with UPN tattooed on his chest (now that was funny) and superkicked D-Von allowing Faarooq to pin him. After the match, the Acolytes destroyed Richards with Faarooq doing a dominator on his head and then Bradshaw, with Faarooq's help, doing a double-team power bomb. After laying him out, both men then shook Richards' hand, apparently thanking him for his help. 1/2*”

The Stevie thing was a whole mess … but this wasn’t the best first example on pay-per-view - why do you think it wasn’t good?

Vince Russo would leave the WWF shortly after - and with Russo being a big proponent of them - did it slow them down in terms of creative?

After that - they’re just another team. The Hardys and Edge & Christian have their great match at No Mercy, the New Age Outlaws are the top team…and all of a sudden they find themselves at Survivor Series teaming now with the Acolytes…and they lose to the Headbangers, Godfather & D’Lo Brown…they gotta be thinking ECW might’ve been the way to go right?

As 1999 comes to an end - all of a sudden they get involved with Mae Young. Mae is hitting Bubba Ray in the head with a flask, and Mae & Moolah would team up to take on the Acolytes & the Dudleys in a 3-way until Mark Henry saves the women - why do you think the Dudleys needed Mae & Moolah to get over bigger as heels?

They would transition into more military camouflage and away from the tie dye - they needed to make that change did they not?

The tables would become a big part of the Dudleys act from this point forward as the Royal Rumble 2000 at MSG they would take part in a major match that really elevates them. The infamous tables match against the Hardys. The Dudleys didn’t get the win but the reality is the loss made them more than a win would’ve here wouldn’t it?

The next night on Raw - Bubba would become entranced putting women through tables - as the first victim was Terri Runnels - at the time the manager of the Hardys. Where does the idea of women going through tables be the path to success for the Dudleys?

From there…it was the EMT B.B….Bruce can you tell me anything about B.B?

Eventually the Dudleys would continue to get over and become tag team champions by defeating the New Age Outlaws. This is a big step for them is it not?

On March 6th on Raw - Mark Henry takes on D-Von. I’ll let the Observer take over:

“Mae did the worst bronco buster in history on Buh Buh. After the match they laid Henry out with a 3-D and Buh Buh power bombed Mae through the table. He didn't protect her anywhere close to how well he protected the two women who are both probably 45 years younger. I know she's a very tough ornery woman and some of the stuff with her is funny and a lot isn't, but when she gets hurt for real because they think seeing a 77-year-old taking big bumps is a hoot, it's not going to end up as a bunch of laughs”

You’d run it back the next week with an even bigger bump Bruce…

“Dudleys vs. Henry in a handicap match ended without a finish. Buh Buh took a bad bump from a backdrop. When he got up, he left to kidnap Mae Young in a wheelchair. Moolah was supposed to be guarding her but they were starting the Moolah heel turn apparently for a Moolah vs. Mae match at Mania. Buh Buh brought her to the entrance ramp and teased the idea of shoving her off the wheelchair to the floor. When he teased doing it, the entire crowd cheered their approval. Before getting to this point, they laid Henry out with a 3-D but never bothered to pin him. Buh Buh picked Young out of the wheelchair and power bombed her off the stage onto a table. He protected her well, and it was set up with a table and lots of cardboard underneath so it wasn't that dangerous, except they overshot and Young's head missed the table and nearly hit the floor, which would have had a really tragic result. Buh Buh was concerned about it to be worried at the bottom until she squeezed his wrist to indicate she was okay. The place erupted for the spot.”

Bruce - looking back these are two iconic moments when you look back are they not? What did you think of this and Mae taking these bumps?

Somehow - this leads to nothing at WrestleMania as instead the Dudleys are defending their tag team titles against the Hardys and Edge & Christian in a ladder match. It’s not TLC yet - but damn if this isn’t what a high spot spectacle insane bump fest would lead to in the future - but Edge & Christian get the win here. Was it too soon to take the titles off the Dudleys?

This would transition into the Dudleys working T&A so Buh Buh can power bomb Trish through a table. Was there ever a worry these types of spots would lead to the Dudleys becoming babyfaces?

Their finish at Backlash was this from the Observer:

“Finish saw D-Von pull Buh Buh out of the way of Test's elbow off the top finisher. They set up 3-D, but Stratus got on the apron and took off her jacket and started wiggling her T&A, and Buh Buh lost interest in the match. He turned around and Test hit him with a high kick for the pin. After the match, the Dudleys did 3-D on Albert and D-Von was occupied with Test. Buh Buh went after Stratus, but she again kissed him. He shook off the magic powers of the kiss and instead power bombed her off the top rope through the table. She did the stretcher job. She apparently has asked for Buh Buh to not protect her as obviously as he's done for the other women so she'd take more of the bump, which he was a little reluctant to do, but agreed to it, as I guess she wanted to get over as someone who can do her own stunts. **”

What can you tell us about Trish taking this bump and asking for it like this?

Of course - they become babyfaces from this and are programmed with the now heel again DX. Tori is Buh Buh’s focus and Road Dogg & X-Pac attempt to stop them but at Judgment Day it’s Gerald Brisco helping DX and Tori to avoid losing the tables match - but Brisco goes through the table. You enjoyed seeing our friend Gerry go through it didn’t you?

At Madison Square Garden - one night before King of the Ring and big dumpster & tables match against DX - Tori suffers a shoulder separation but still takes the power bomb at the pay-per-view after the Dudleys lose the match. Tori was a tough worker at the end of the day wasn’t she?

The power bombing women story had run its course by now hadn’t it?

The Dudleys are back to being programmed with the Hardys, Edge & Christian - just in time for SummerSlam and the first official TLC match. Did anyone realize how good those letters would go together?

Go out of your way to see it - it’s amazing and what is there to say about that Bruce?

Edge & Christian get the win and to let things settle down for a few months - the Dudleys & the Right to Censor are married up because the RTC is trying to ban the Dudleys from using tables. This…wasn’t the best program was it Bruce?

Somehow at No Mercy - there’s a table elimination match challenge. 5 table match gauntlet between the Dudleys, Too Cool, Lo Down, Raven & Tazz and Bull Buchanan & Godfather…this was very TNA-esque was it not?

Dudleys do get the win and set their sights back on the tag team titles. At the Rumble the Dudleys get the titles back from Edge & Christian before dropping the tag titles on Raw to the Hardys. We’re staring down TLC 2…but 3 big pay-per-views in a row - two WrestleManias and one SummerSlam - it’s the same match each time…was it too much?

The wrinkle added this time is that each team will have a 3rd of sorts…Little Spike Dudley joined the WWF after ECW closed, Rhyno also joined and Lita becomes a member of Team Extreme. What did you think of bringing Spike in and this added wrinkle?

At WrestleMania X7…the best of the 3 in my opinion - Edge & Christian win a stellar match - why do you think the Dudleys or the Hardys ever won one of these matches?

The Dudleys as a trio with Spike added to it works with X-Factor - which we all forget - and the Hollys. But the instant Spike and Molly seem to be forming a relationship - the Dudleys turn heel on him. Spike was the perfect underdog babyface was he not?

The Dudleys would regain the tag team titles - this time from Benoit & Jericho - before dropping them on Raw to the APA on a night that lives forever in WWF lore. The night the Alliance was formed the Dudleys are a big part of it being from ECW…this was quite the jump up for the Dudleys was it not?

It would lead to their first pay-per-view main event at Invasion - there are the Dudleys in the ring with some of the biggest stars in professional wrestling, Steve Austin, the Undertaker, Kane, DDP, Booker T…and they more than held their own in that spot didn’t they?

The Dudleys would be used as the enforcers of the Alliance - like the APA of the WWF. But in a weird twist…Stacy Keibler - called the Duchess of Dudleyville by Paul Heyman - is put as their manager. This wasn’t the best fit was it?

They would win the WCW tag team titles - becoming the first team to ever hold the WWF, WCW & ECW tag team titles. Do you count this as a real accomplishment if it happened in the WWF while they owned the WCW tag team belts?

They would unify the titles at Survivor Series in a cage match with the Hardys and walk out of the end of the Alliance as the Undisputed tag team champions. But nothing really happens with them until the first Raw of 2002 - the infamous one from MSG where Hunter returned - where Spike & Tazz would win the tag team titles from the Dudleys. Were the Dudleys stale?

Eventually the Dudleys would power bomb Stacy through a table and they would be split. It was time wasn’t it?

Buh Buh seems to be in line for a big babyface push on Raw as there’s a lack of depth there - but Reverend D-Von - you’ve defended the gimmick before - outside of getting Batista on TV - what was it about D-Von’s gimmick that you liked so much?

Bubba right away wins the hardcore title and would team a little with Spike before facing his biggest test - the World Heavyweight Champion Triple H live on Raw.

From the Observer

Bubba did an interview running down HHH. Bubba got a surprising amount of boos. HHH, with Flair as his manager, beat Bubba in 7:09. They did some near falls that Bubba survived with Flair distracting, but the finish was clean as a sheet with the pedigree.

Did this push just not work?

Was there anything more that could’ve been done with Buh Buh?

Was there talk of having the Dudleys feud against each other at any point?

At Survivor Series 2002 the Dudleys are reformed in a tables match at MSG, this time it’s Jeff Hardy teaming up with Spike & Bubba to take on Rico & 3 Minute Warning. D-Von comes out to put the band back together so to speak and hit the 3D on Rico. Better together than not right?

The Dudleys win the titles back and forth a few times, working with William Regal & Lance Storm and the like before they run into La Resistance. Now the Dudleys had issues with La Resistance backstage did they not? Did you ever hear about that?

Did everyone have issues with La Resistance?

The Dudleys would hold the titles until December when they dropped them to Ric Flair & Batista. But this wasn’t the last run in between the Dudleys & Evolution. There was an infamous match where Bubba, Batista & Randy Orton all got hurt - blowing major plans. What can you tell us about what happened and how you heard it all went down?

The Dudleys WWF run would run into the path of the Deadman - the Undertaker & Paul Bearer. The Dudleyz were drafted to Smackdown and put together with their former ECW boss Paul Heyman.

The Dudleys would kidnap Paul Bearer which would lead to the…CONCRETE CRYPT MATCH at the Great American Bash. From the Observer

“Undertaker beat The Dudleys in 14:42. Bubba taunted Undertaker, telling him to lay down and be pinned. He laid down, but then snatched D-Von and started fighting. The match consisted of Heyman pulling the lever whenever he was mad at Undertaker, who was supposed to lay down. Bearer kept saying that Undertaker would never let him die, and became so obnoxious about it that people would have half wanted him gone, if they cared. This was just dying as if felt like people just didn’t want wrestling to turn into this and they didn’t have their finger on the pulse. D-Von used a low blow, but Undertaker sat up. Paul Heyman pulled out the urn to control Undertaker, but instead, he choke slammed Bubba and pinned D-Von after a tombstone. Heyman vowed to flip the switch for good, when lightning struck him down. Undertaker paused in front of the switch, and then pulled it. A major flop of a main event. *”

Bruce - what can we talk about this match in a positive way?

The Dudleys would be reformed with Spike this time as a leader and a heel - this was quite the development wasn’t it?

They were taken off TV and sent to OVW while the “creative team” worked on a plan to bring them back. Was there anything left to do with the Dudleys?

Well the only thing left to do was when ECW One Night Stand was going to happen - for them to come back and be in the main event and take on Tommy Dreamer & the Sandman. Could this have been an opening for the Dudleys to come back?

The WWE would announce just a few weeks later they opted not to continue contract renewal negotiations with the team. Were you surprised by this?

They would go to TNA for the next 9 years - where you would come into contact with both men. What did you think of their run in TNA - and was Bully Ray everything you wanted him to be in WWE during that attempt at a singles push?

They would return to the WWE before being inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2018. Much deserved yes?

Where would you rank them in tag teams?

What is their legacy?

What are your feelings on both guys today?