Jim Ross Denies Racism Allegations Made by D-Von Dudley
A recently surfaced claim of racist remarks has been vehemently denied by Jim Ross, the veteran announcer currently working for All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and a WWE Hall of Famer. The controversy stems from allegations made by former WWE Superstar D-Von Dudley regarding an incident dating back to 1999-2000.
D-Von Dudley first publicly alleged on his YouTube channel in October that Ross told him he disliked him due to his race during his time in WWE. Dudley further stated that his former tag team partner, Bubba Ray Dudley, was present to corroborate the story, along with fellow wrestlers Paul Heyman, Spike Dudley, and Tommy Dreamer.
Addressing the accusations during the Christmas edition of his “Ask JR Anything” podcast, Ross dismissed the claims as “absurd.” “Recently I heard that D-Von Dudley thought I was a racist. That’s so absurd. It’s not even — it doesn’t merit a response,” Ross stated. He emphasized his respect for both D-Von and Bubba Ray Dudley, highlighting their contributions to the wrestling industry.
Ross specifically pointed to the success of The Dudley Boyz, particularly their iconic TLC matches, which he described as “pieces of art” that would “last forever.” He also noted his involvement in their booking and the financial success they achieved. “I hired he and Bubba. I thought we did a good job of booking them. They made money. They were put in situations where they could do the things they do best,” he explained.
The broadcaster expressed surprise at the allegations, stating he had no recollection of ever having a negative interaction with D-Von Dudley. He speculated that Dudley’s motivation might be related to his post-wrestling career, contrasting it with Bubba Ray Dudley’s success as a broadcaster. “I never said that to D-Von Dudley. And why he would conjure up that, I guess to get attention. I thought, well, maybe he’s not as happy with his post-wrestling life as Bubba is,” Ross said.
Ross further underscored his history of working with and supporting Black wrestlers, naming Shelton Benjamin, Junkyard Dog, and Ernie Ladd as examples of talent he either signed or greatly admired throughout his career.
Looking ahead, Ross is scheduled to appear at the January 7, 2026, AEW Dynamite event at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Source: F4WOnline
