Bubba Ray Dudley, known for his no-nonsense persona and contributions to the wrestling world, has undergone a remarkable journey of transformation, maintaining his relevance in the ever-evolving landscape of professional wrestling. From his early days in ECW to his current endeavors, Bubba Ray's story is one of adaptation, reinvention, and unwavering passion for the business.
From ECW Original to iHeartRadio Host
Francine, an ECW original with thirty years of experience in the wrestling business, shares her journey on iHeartRadio alongside co-host Chad. Their podcast covers a wide range of topics, from wrestling knowledge to personal life, creating a lifestyle podcast where nothing is off-limits. Chad, with twenty years of broadcasting experience and a background with WWE and The Howard Stern Show, brings his own stories and experiences to the show. Together, they emphasize the importance of getting to know the real people behind the wrestling characters.
Embracing the Evolution of Wrestling
Bubba Ray acknowledges the significant evolution of the wrestling business from the 1990s to the present day. He marvels at the rise of action figures and the ability for wrestlers to see different versions of themselves immortalized in plastic. Francine echoes this sentiment, recalling her initial disappointment at not getting an action figure in the '90s due to the belief that "girl figures don't sell." Today, she celebrates having her own action figure and other opportunities, highlighting the progress made in recognizing and celebrating female wrestlers.
A Surprise Appearance and a Challenge Issued
Bully Ray made a surprise appearance at Slammiversary to challenge Team 3D to one last match against the Hardys at Bound For Glory on October 12. However, D-Von Dudley was conspicuously absent, leaving fans to wonder if he was healthy enough for one more ride in the ring.
Francine expresses her inability to call Bubba Ray by his "Bully Ray" moniker, highlighting the personal connection and respect she has for him. Bubba Ray, in turn, compliments Francine on her appearance, showcasing the camaraderie and mutual admiration within the wrestling community.
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Health Update and DDP's Assistance
In a recent interview with Chris Van Vliet, D-Von provided an update on his health. He revealed that he lost about 85 pounds with the help of DDP (Diamond Dallas Page). D-Von had been experiencing trouble walking due to scar tissue, so he reached out to DDP, who shared his knowledge. The combination of DDPY (DDP Yoga) loosening his body and an organic/grass-fed diet led to significant results.
D-Von also addressed the possibility of one last match, expressing his desire for it to be against either the Hardys or Edge & Christian. He trusts the Hardys with his body and feels comfortable taking basic bumps in the ring, which he has done while training wrestlers at his school. However, he stated that a ladder match is out of the question.
TNA's Resurgence and Embracing History
Bubba Ray discusses the name change back to TNA from Impact Wrestling. He believes that Impact Wrestling discovered that the TNA name still held value when negotiating to get Impact into certain markets. Fans still chant TNA, and in certain parts of the world, like England and India, TNA was more watched than WWE. He thinks that they are embracing their history and that they're going to bring this name back because of all the good press that they got in the past from the name. Bubba Ray also notes that the fans and wrestlers he has spoken to love the fact that they've gone back to TNA. He believes it will be called TNA TNA Impact, with the company being called TNA and the TV show being called Impact.
Coaching on WWE LFG Season 2
Bubba Ray returns as a coach for Season 2 of WWE LFG (formerly known as WWE Tough Enough), alongside Booker T, The Undertaker, and Michelle McCool. He emphasizes that he doesn't view it as a competition, but rather an opportunity to help the future greats of the wrestling industry. He acknowledges the unique coaching styles of each coach, with Booker T and himself having years of experience running wrestling schools.
Bubba Ray expresses his desire to see Zena Sterling succeed in Season 2, believing that she should have been given an NXT contract in Season 1. He also mentions Sirena Linton and Elijah Holyfield as talents who have shown significant growth and potential.
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Addressing R-Truth's Transformation
Bubba Ray clarifies his previous comments about R-Truth's transformation, stating that he never said he disagreed with him going serious so soon. Instead, he expressed his desire for Ron Killings to fully embrace his serious side and leave the R-Truth persona behind. He wants to care and be emotionally invested in the serious side of Ron Killings.
Praising John Cena's Heel Character
Bubba Ray defends John Cena's heel character, arguing that he doesn't need to change his appearance or attire. He believes that it's about the personality and the reaction to Cena's words, tone, and mannerisms. He draws a parallel to the band Kiss, who have maintained the same makeup, songs, and stage performance for decades while still selling out shows.
Continued Opportunities and Gratitude
At 51 years old, Francine is amazed at the opportunities she continues to receive and the interest people still have in her and ECW. She expresses her gratitude to everyone who has stuck with her on this journey for thirty years. She never thought it would lead to action figures and video games in 2023. It's a surreal and cool experience, and she's appreciative and excited for what the next year brings.
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