I didn't like Ray but I do now...

[Ferreira]

After Team 3D was over, Brother Ray start calling himself Bully Ray, the name itself sounds stupid and pointless, but I guess it's better than others we have seen in the past.

I didn't like him as Bully Ray since the beginning I tought his work with D-Von wasn't that good but I guess they had hope that Ray could work on his own after that storyline and sure as hell he can.

I never tought that Ray would be a singles competitor or at least a good one, I saw him as an hardcore wrestler but nothing else, just a random guy who is over 250+ pounds and isn't that quick, but some how, some way, TNA made me care about him. His work with AJ Styles was good, I could picture Bully Ray as a great heel that could over-power his opponents and be a badass.

He is now a top contender in TNA, like it or not, he is probably the 3rd or 4th biggest heel of the company, he is being used in a good way, and helping young guys get a rub, look at AJ, he benefited from the work he is having with him, and I don't know quite why but I would rather watch Ray as a main-eventer than Double J.

It wasn't my intention to compare companies, but let's say that I prefer Bully Ray as a heel than McIntyre, Ziggler or other generic cocky heels that cheat their way to victory. Bully Ray is still a heel but you can believe him as a credible competitor than can over-power his opponent with a powerbomb or beat him with a chair until he can't move, those guys that WWE has, and TNA has too, don't seem credible enough.

I'm the only one that thinks Ray as changed in a good way in the last months? Would you have keep him as a tag team competitor or just retired him?

 

[#hamler]

I do like me some Bully Ray. First things first, I do like Bully Ray simply because he's a different heel. He's a bad ass that's not afraid to fight. He doesn't look pretty, his ring attire sucks, he is a horrible in ring worker, but he's a wonderful heel and I can't put my finger on it as to why he is such a good heel. Maybe its because he's a great mic worker. Every promo like....ever, his promos have always been something to write home about. He can put a young talent over just by cutting a promo on said individual. That's phenomenal mic ability if you ask me. He makes it believable.

Next, he's great a taking a punch. He usually likes to over do the selling and I believe that's what makes Ray a great in ring talent to have. Bully Ray is by far my favorite heel in TNA right now. I'm glad they're giving him some spot light. They took a huge leap of faith with the former mediocre tag team wrestler. I'll admit, I was hesitant at first but now he's someone I don't want to watch TNA without. Great worker.

 

[Philly88]

I thought it was really stupid as well but it does seem to be working now. I think it is much better angle than his singles push on raw way back when.

 

[PhD]

I agree with both of you guys. For my money, Ray is the most interesting character in TNA at the moment, and he's miles ahead of the WWE's midcard heels. In fact, in would suggest that next to Alberto del Rio, he's the best heel in wrestling at the moment, for all the reasons already noted. Better than The Miz? From a standpoint of how much I give a shit, yes.

It's kind of crazy, because I really don't want to like Ray. He's fat, ugly, an unsafe worker, and by all accounts, a huge prick in real life. However, that's probably why he's such a great character, because he's just being himself. I think it was Jim Ross that noted a great heel has to be really self-righteous, to believe that his agenda is correct. This is why Punk is so great with the straight-edge gimmick, and I think you're seeing the same thing with the character of Bully Ray.

 

[BritishLion]

IMO I think Ray is a great heel but not so great in the ring. I propose the idea that he manages another memeber of Immortal, e.g. Gunner, and uses his promo ability to help get them over.

 

[Post]

When Bully Ray first went solo, he seemed to be trying a little to hard to be overly obnoxious. I'm not sure if this was the plan, but it worked. The guy garners serious heat now. He comes right out and says what he has to say, and his distinct New York accent isn't always pleasing to the ears. I like it though, it is all part of good character development.

I have always wanted to see him have a solo run since his WWF days. I had little interest in the Devon feud. It seemed to drag on too long and really go nowhere.

Unfortunately for the Bully, I think he is just going to be a filler for a while until comes up with someone they feel to be a bigger player. I think that he fits in well in the main event scene though and am enjoying his solo work.

 

[Pieman]

I still can't stand him. D-von's been carrying him for YEARS.

 

[AntiChristDeicide]

I still can't stand him. D-von's been carrying him for YEARS.

And yet Bully Ray has more TV time than D-Von. Look its not a knock on D-Von, but how come Ray is getting a decent push in TNA and we rarely see D-Von? I guess TNA sees a lot more potential in him than you or WWE.

 

[Rammsteinerteen]

Bully Ray's gimmick is actually really good. He cuts great promos and is great when given the microphone. Except his in ring work is bland and very uninteresting. It's sort of like The Miz if you come to think about it. Sure, sometimes they make good matches, but thats thanks to the opponents.

Bully Ray, I used to hate him when he first split and went single, but now, he's pretty good. But I'd much rather see them push Samoa Joe, or The Pope over him. Bully Ray is, IMO, just not good enough to make it into the main even. Abyss has been stuck in traffic lately, and he's also really deserving a push too.

I like Bully Ray, but I don't love him.

 

[ray kidman]

i always thought he was a better single wrestler then d-von but i wish they did nt break up the dudley boys cuzz u just dont see tag teams like you use to i thought tna loved tag teams but that has changed

 

[Fenris]

I'm the only one that thinks Ray as changed in a good way in the last months? Would you have keep him as a tag team competitor or just retired him?

Every wrestling promotion has hits, and they have misses. Bully Ray is a hit. A very good hit. I like the gimmick and what they're doing with him. Allow me to show you why TNA hit on the Bully Ray character.

He doesn't look pretty, his ring attire sucks, he is a horrible in ring worker, but he's a wonderful heel and I can't put my finger on it as to why he is such a good heel.

And....

It's kind of crazy, because I really don't want to like Ray. He's fat, ugly, an unsafe worker, and by all accounts, a huge prick in real life.

Hamler, you did put your finger on why he's a great heel and didn't even realize it. PhD did as well. Because he truly is the anti-TNA and the anti-WWE. He isn't pretty, he isn't dressed all flashy and he isn't a technical guy like the TNA Originals. He's chubby, he's ugly, his ring attire is basic clothing and he truly is a ********. In other words what you see is what you get and you'll pay money and invest time into watching THAT guy get his ass kicked and get his comeuppance. You will get into it and get pissed off at the guy for beating up on the AJ Styles and Robert Roodes instead of them doing technical match after technical match.

That's why it's a hit, and that's what makes it great. Noone WANTS to like Bully Ray. Not too many people DO like Bully Ray. Anyone over the age of 6 has likely had experiences with kids and adults LIKE Bully Ray. He's a natural at it and that is a missing element in wrestling today, usually you either get the heel that's obviously playing the role that fans LIKE too much, or you get losers like The Miz that you legitimately hate and want to leave the profession because they just plain suck.

I don't like Bully Ray but I do like his gimmick and I am certainly enjoying his work.

 

[Weapon-X]

TNA sucks no matter how much i try to get into it. Bischoff- has been, hogan, has been, Foley has been, Flair, Sting, tec..

Samoa Joe was a flop, Styles...whatever... Angle is full of sh.t- Jarrett was never sh.t...

they dropped the ball with Eliajah Burke-

yes there is no viable 2nd to WWE, but I refuse to act like TNA is the next best thing. TNA Fu**ing sucks and its the sad truth.

 

[Pay Per Ghost]

I remember back in 02 when they split the Dudleys and Bubba went after Hunter and had a WHC match with him. He put up a good match and can certainly be stellar on the mic.

His new dawning of basically a bully with a Latino Lawn Mower as a barber persona is, well, annoying. I mean for me, its the JBL kinda annoying. He might cut well enough promos and come across as an absolute arse, but the fact is from me he will always get the 'Please-go-away" heat, not the "Boo-stay-for-awhile-I-like-to-see-you-wrestle-but-eventually-lose" kinda heat. There's a difference.

Honestly the man isn't relevant in the ring, I hope he jobs to AJ a few more, apart from that if he never popped on my TV again, be just dandy that.

 

[Big Nick Dudley]

I'm completely split on this Rise of Bully Ray situation.

On one hand, he's one of the best mic workers TNA has. Actually, screw that, he is the best mic worker TNA has. I didn't want he and Devon to split, mainly because I had never cared about either one of them in singles competition. However, he has a great character, and is easily the most interesting member of Immortal (along with Jarrett).

However, he's still Bubba Dudley. As good as he is on the mic, he's nearly 40 years old, he's nothing to talk about in the ring, and I never bought into any reason for his receiving a push. I think he's done well with it, and it's been 10x better than I expected, but, he is who he is. I doubt his matches are going to be anything special, at the level he's heading to.

Again, part of me loves it. He's broken through that invisible roof, and made something happen. The other side of me wishes it were a younger, more well-rounded guy in that spot. I suppose I'll just enjoy it while it lasts.

 

[Notorious718]

I actually do like Bully Ray myself. The man isn't the greatest in the ring but he can cut a pretty decent promo and garners some serious heat. I love his bully character. He's done an excellent job of running with it and making it his own. As far as heels in TNA go, I find him one of the most interesting. But as much as I like Bully Ray and his character, I just don't see him representing Immortal as its world champion even though he's been involved in quite a number of high profile matches, title bouts, and number one contender fights. I have enjoyed watching him for the past few months but I can't see him being anything more than an upper midcarder who competes sporadically in the main event. But besides that, I wholeheartedly agree that he has definitely changed for the better. I'll admit that I was hesitant when he turned on Devon and that I just wanted the both of them to go away. Now I just can't simply watch TNA without grinning when I see Bully Ray. I'm actually enjoying the program he has with AJ Styles right now and I'm assuming they'll have their blowout match at Slammiversary which should be solid.

 

[Hollywood Naitch]

I never thought he would do ANYTHING in singles, but Bully Ray has actually really impressed me. He seems reenergised as a singles guy, and actually looks like he is putting some effort into his work, as he was clearly just going through the motions in the later days of Team 3D.

He looks in a bit better shape than he has done for a while, and I like the fact is he able to go back to the heel role he played in ECW. He is always good at pissing the crowd off and is a natural heel, something alot of wrestlers are not. He is doing very well, and long may it continue. I cannot see him ever winning a major title, but as a mid-to upper card heel, I think TNA have found someone pretty good for the role.

 

[ABMorales787]

TNA has had Bully Ray on the spotlight way before the end of Team 3D. His feud with Jesse Neal may have been more of a bother than actual entertainment, but to say Ray didn't play a stellar heel in a crappy feud? He was terrific. Always has been. Sadly he's limited by his lack of ability.

I've always said it. he reminds me of Big Bossman. He can be an awesome heel. But he can't get past the character part.

 

[Zeven_Zion]

Bully Ray is amazing on the mic. His character fits any feud and is simply good. As far as his in-ring work goes, yes, Bully Ray is a big guy, but what I've noticed is that he's really good at selling moves of smaller guys. Jumping in the air right before someone cross bodies him so there's an actual collision, doing the Ric Flair faceplant thing, things like that make him one of those heels that don't need a lot of offense because their selling is great, and they're the type of guys you want to see get the tar beaten out of them, much like Flair or Jeff Jarrett.

Will Bully Ray once be in the Main Event? I have no doubts that he would. Would he capture the World Title? That's when I start having doubts. He could have a great run with it, I just think he misses some longevity AS Bully Ray in order to stamp himself as this character before he gets a World Title run. When he does, and when his character is ready for it more than anything I'll thoroughly enjoy Bully Ray as World Champion.

 

[He's Phenomenal]

I never haven’t liked Ray, I always thought Team 3D were a great tag team (one of the greatest of all time). But when they split, I didn’t hold out much hope for either guy making it on their own. But Bully Ray has certainly proved me wrong.

IMO, he’s easily the best heel out there at the moment. His mic skills have always been awesome, some of the promos he done in the ECW Arena were some of the best heel promos you will ever see, and he’s always been a decent wrestler. Bully may be a fat bastard, but he moves damn well for a fat bastard. As already mentioned, his selling is priceless. And his offense aint too shabby either. That Uranage/Chokeslam he’s been using looks brutal. Although I would like to see him use the top rope Powerbomb a lot more, as he delivers that better than anyone.

Bully Ray is the reason I’m not convinced Immortal needs to bring a new main eventer into the group, as I believe Bully Ray is that man. He’s easily believable as a top guy as he’s a big, mean, sum bitch. And comes across as the type of guy that would crap on anyone to get to where he wants to be.

I also think Bully Ray is more deserving of this push than anyone else. For the simple fact he’s forced TNA into giving him this push. I bet TNA had no intention of pushing Ray into the main event and towards the World Title when Team 3D split. And I’m hoping this run culminates in Bully Ray becoming the World Champion one day. He deserves that sort of recognition for the career he’s had, let alone the awesome job he's doing now.

 

[Jack-Hammer]

Bully Ray is just plain fun to listen to on the mic. He definitely throws in a lot of that "I'm a New Yorker, which means I'm the baddest mother fucker on the planet" swagger into his promos. Which Ray has always been decent on the mic, he just hasn't really had as much opportunity to showcase what he can do.

That being said, I have little interest in what he does inside the ring. His in-ring ability definitely is no match for his mic skills. Since he's been on the single scene, he hasn't done anything of note outside of a promo setting. He started out on the singles scene months back and that hasn't really changed.

 

[AntiChristDeicide]

That being said, I have little interest in what he does inside the ring. His in-ring ability definitely is no match for his mic skills. Since he's been on the single scene, he hasn't done anything of note outside of a promo setting. He started out on the singles scene months back and that hasn't really changed.

Jack-Hammer, dude you can't expect him to be a good singles wrestler over night. For satan's sake, he was in The Dudley Boys/Team 3D his whole career dating back to his original ECW days.

 

[Brian in Austin]

That being said, I have little interest in what he does inside the ring. His in-ring ability definitely is no match for his mic skills. Since he's been on the single scene, he hasn't done anything of note outside of a promo setting. He started out on the singles scene months back and that hasn't really changed.

Jack-Hammer, dude you can't expect him to be a good singles wrestler over night. For satan's sake, he was in The Dudley Boys/Team 3D his whole career dating back to his original ECW days.

I'm on your side on this one. The Bully Ray character is a good one and I like how he's handled the moment. I sure wish they had continued the feud with he and A.J. at the PPV but I guess we'll have to wait and see where he goes next. Good work from BRD and I hope it continues.