Former WWE Star D-Von Dudley Says He Was Forced to Retire

D-Von Dudley has shared details about his 2016 departure from WWE, stating that he did not wish to retire at the time. In an interview with DJ Vlad, D-Von said his exit was tied to his longtime tag team partner, Bubba Ray Dudley.

According to D-Von Dudley, WWE was interested in continuing the Dudley Boyz run following their 2015 return. He said he had signed a new contract, but was later informed that it would not be valid unless Bubba Ray also re-signed. When Bubba declined, D-Von said his own deal was effectively null and void. (Via Wrestling News Co.)

“Bubba didn’t want to re-sign. Me and Bubba kind of went at it a couple of, not physically, not in a fight, but we were kind of upset with each other because he wanted to leave and I wanted to stay… As I signed it, he says, ‘All right, now all we need is Bubba’s signature.’ I said, ‘What do you mean we need Bubba’s signature? I signed.’ He goes, ‘Yeah, D-Von, and we thank you for signing, but it’s going to be a null and void contract if Bubba doesn’t sign,’” D-Von said.

D-Von explained that he asked Bubba Ray to reconsider for another year. However, Bubba maintained his decision not to continue. He also described a conversation with Vince McMahon during SummerSlam weekend in Brooklyn. According to him, McMahon indicated he preferred to use the Dudley Boyz as a team and was not planning a singles run for him if Bubba Ray was not involved.

“I said, ‘Vince, this is not right. I have a family. I signed that contract and gave it to you. Why don’t you just put me in singles?’ He said, ‘Well, I’d rather have you both together. If I can’t have one, then I can’t do the other,’” D-Von said. “I said, ‘Vince, I kept my mouth shut for all those years I worked for you. Even when I didn’t want to do things, I did it. I did it with a smile on my face. And now my money, my life is being jeopardized because Bubba doesn’t want to stay. I’m not mad at Bubba, but I’m mad at this situation that I got put in.'”

D-Von said he expressed frustration during that discussion, emphasizing his desire to keep wrestling. He later appeared in a farewell segment on RAW, delivering it in his own words rather than following a scripted promo.

Following his in-ring exit, Triple H offered him a backstage role as a producer. D-Von said he initially requested to continue wrestling in a limited capacity, including working with younger talent, but was told the available option was the producer position. He accepted the role, citing financial stability and benefits for his family. D-Von added that Stephanie McMahon later reassured him that future opportunities could arise.

“She took my chin, she said, ‘D-Von, it’s not goodbye. It’s see you later. We will do business again.’ She looked me straight in the eye and said that,” D-Von said. “No matter how much I tried to tell Vince or tell somebody, ‘Let me help this guy out because he’s not getting over. You can beat me every night, I don’t care, but let me go in there and help him.’ And they kept saying no. So I never really wanted to retire during that time.”

Dudley maintained that his departure was not a personal decision to retire but rather the result of circumstances around the tag team’s status. He also mentioned that he and Bubba remain on good terms.