Rico Details Past Issues With Bully Ray, Getting Released by WWE

During a recent interview with Insight with Chris Van Vliet, former WWE Superstar Rico (aka Rico Constantino) discussed his WWE career, working with Billy and Chuck, incidents with WWE Hall of Famer Bubba Ray Dudley (aka Bully Ray), and more. Below are some highlights from Insight:

Rico on Working With Billy Gunn and Chuck Palumbo (Billy & Chuck)

“But when we agreed to do that, when I got there, we had a meeting with Vince and said, Listen, as long as we don’t embarrass that lifestyle or show it in a bad light, we’ll keep going. I also did the same thing with Vince when I turned into the Adrian Street flamboyant character. I said, I will not degrade these people. I will not embarrass these people. So I said, So how far do you want me to go? Quote from Vince, ‘Strap a rocket to your ass and take off. I’ll tell you when to stop’.”

On Wrestlers Not Working To Work Him During His Flamboyant Gimmick

“No, they thought it would hurt their character. I don’t know, Charlie [Haas] was trying to explain it to them, and he said, ‘Listen, this is the easiest it’s going to get. All you have to do is have facial expressions, no bumps, longevity, just react to what Rico does.’ And everybody took it. There was a lot of people, Dreamer, Richards, Spike, Val Venis, I could keep going on even now. You know how hard Bob Holly is. He wanted to keep that character, but he did it the right way. Charlie and I were Tag Team Champions going into Judgment Day. So Bob Holly and I had a one-on-one prior to Judgment Day. So I did my flamboyant stuff in there, and Bob would look at me and go and mouth the words, I’m not doing that. I’m not playing that. And of course, I continue with it. And then I go behind him, then he goes behind me, and then I bend over. So I get my stuff over, and he pushes, and he’s pointing. And then I go prance to the corner, and then I come back to go do something flamboyant, and he clotheslines me. And then he gets to sit there as his character, Bob Holly. I told you I don’t play that. I want you to wrestle, and you can read his lips. I want you to wrestle. And then we get into a hell of a match.”

On His Issues With Bully Ray (aka Bubba Ray Dudley)

“Well, yeah, there were a couple of things. We’re in Chicago at the Allstate Arena, and we’re going to do the match, and Dudley’s are going to be the 18th tag team champions. So we go there, and we’re doing the match, and Bubba has to throw me out of the ring. So he throws me out of the ring, and my leg bounces, top rope, bottom rope slingshots, and I tear my hamstring. I hit the floor, and I know I heard a pop. So D-Von grabs me to slam my head into the steel steps, and I told him, ‘I’m hurt. I’m hurt.’ So he throws me back in the ring to give me back to Bubba. And then, as Bubba’s picking me up, I say, I’m hurt, I’m hurt, and I’m in a suplex so he can hear me. I’m right next to his ear. Well, he suplexes me, and I hear it go pop again. And then they sling shot me from one side to the other, and I’m limping because my legs not working. Then I tried to do a little fire back, and I threw the punch, stomped my left leg, and I couldn’t stand up. I fell down again. So when it’s time to pin me, Bubba knows I’m hurt. He pulls me to the corner, steps on the second turn buckle, and bends my left leg over by my shoulders. I hear it again. So they win and go off and I just lay there. There’s no way I’m getting up three, three pops, one match. I never got an apology. I never got an apology.

“Before that, there was No Mercy. It was Jackie Gayda, me, and Charlie against Dawn Marie, D-Von, and Bubba. I forgot who the agent was, but we’re discussing what we want to do. Bubba, ‘I ain’t doing that. I’m not doing that. I’m not doing that.’ And I go, Well, I guess I’ll just stay in the corner, always giving respect. So I think it was Pat Patterson, as a matter of fact, all of a sudden, Pat says, I got to go. And he walks away. A few minutes later, over the loudspeaker, ‘Bubba Dudley, meet in the green room.’ Well, you know what that means? That means Vince is in there. So he comes back, and he has a totally different attitude. So from not wanting to do my little ride on cowboy, pinch the butt, pitch the cheek, kiss on the cheek, or whatever, he comes up with a spot he does where Jackie’s in the ring and he’s not supposed to be touching the girl, so he gets her by the hair, gets her on her knees, and says, kiss me, baby. Kiss me, baby. And he closes his eyes and puckers his lips, and he puts both hands behind his back, and Jackie rolls over, tags me in. I tiptoe in, and then I kneel down next to Bubba, and I stroke his head. He’s going, Oh yeah, baby, oh yeah, oh yeah. And then I go and give a big kiss. He looks, and he’s like home alone. He runs out, and he’s guggling water, and he walks out of the arena, just walks up the platform. And then now I’m around there with D-Von, and I’m doing the small packages and try to get quick pins and stuff like that, and we continue to match. But for somebody who didn’t want to go through any of that, thought of one of the best spots.”

On Getting Released by WWE

“Well, I wasn’t going on any shows. My final release was 90 days later. So I was under contract until February 2005.”

On If He Was Surprised by the Release

“Yeah, and I went and asked Vince for a raise because I had already fulfilled my three-year rookie contract. I’ve held the tag titles twice, once with Rikishi, once with Haas. I was going to almost every show and on TV. I said I want $1,000 a week.”

Rico’s WWE run included a shocking upset victory over WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair on Monday Night Raw in 2002. He was released from the promotion in November 2004.

Rico also made an appearance for AEW at WrestleDream 2024, being revealed as “The Third Man” of MxM Collection against The Acclaimed.