The Dudley Boyz Reflect On Their Differing Relationships With Vince McMahon

The Dudley Boyz had very different dynamics with Vince McMahon, something that the two opened up about in a new interview. The WWE Hall of Famers spoke about their dynamics with the former WWE Chairman in an interview with Maven on D-Von’s YouTube channel. Bubba Ray spoke about his being willing to challenge McMahon and fight for his ideas. Meanwhile, D-Von said he was afraid of Vince until he became a producer and had to fight for what he wanted. You can see highlights below:

Bubba Ray On His Relationship With McMahon:

“I’ve had Vince call me into the office to get my opinion on other people’s stuff. Because he knew I wouldn’t sugarcoat anything, and I would give [my opinion]. And I pitched things to Vince that I thought were going to work, and he just would say no. And I would get so [mad]. One day I walked out of the office like, [starts to swear]. He goes, ‘What was that for?’ I said, ‘Because I couldn’t close you on my idea.’ He goes, ‘Better luck next time.'”

D-Von On Fearing McMahon:

“A lot. Back then, I think a lot of people feared Vince…. Bubba was a rare exception [to] that. Because again, a lot of people when they walked into it, they were fearful of Vince. Because the man had your life in his hands. It was like, ‘Okay I’m not going to sit there and go against him.’ You know, whatever Vince wants, Vince is going to get. It was like, ‘Yep, not a problem sir!'”

On When He Stopped Fearing McMahon:

“When I became a producer and I had to work with him behind the scenes and things like that, that was when the fear disappeared. And that was when I was just like, I began to question him in terms of things that I didn’t agree with. That was the only time that that relationship between him and I. I went from fearing him as talent, but then when the producer came, I wasn’t scared anymore. Because in order for me to get my point across and give him my ideas on what I felt worked for the match, I had to grow some balls and go, ‘No, Vince, I don’t like that. This is what I like.’

And I always felt that when he stood up to Vince, he respected you more. And that always stayed in the back of my mind. So as a producer, that was when I found the guts to be able to go, ‘No Vince, this is what I feel. If you don’t want it, this is your ballpark. This is your sandbox. If you say no to what I got to say, then that’s fine. But I’m telling you how I feel.’ And that was the only time that it became to me to be natural with him, to be able to not have that fear once I became a producer.”

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit D-Von Dudley with a h/t to 411mania.com for the transcription.