Splitting Up The Dudley Boyz?

[Jack-Hammer]

According to the WON, there's some talk in WWE about splitting up Bubba Ray and D-Von with Bubba Ray altering his gimmick to be more along the lines of the Bully Ray character in TNA. The report doesn't mention how serious the talks are or how much support from the top officials it has, nor does it mention what will be done with D-Von.

I wouldn't mind seeing Bubba Ray go solo and, frankly, it worked quite well for him in TNA. Of course, I doubt he'd be exactly the way he was in TNA because someone would almost certainly get offended. I also can't say that I'm overly anxious to see them have another tag team title run because, frankly, I just don't see that they need it. What they've been doing is putting over younger, fresher teams, especially New Day, and that's the best way to use them in my eyes. However, eventually, it'll start to get a bit old watching them put over other teams and it won't be long after that when we'll hear about fans wanting them to split up anyhow.

 

[Y 2 Jake]

Yes please. The Dudley nostalgia run is over. Other than them winning another set of token tag titles t's nothing left for m to do.

Bully Ray was a revelation. He's not headliner material in WWE but he's a great gatekeeper. He could be a fresh, credible opponent for Owens, Ambrose and others on that level.

 

[Mustang Sally]

Seems like another nod to the dearth of top singles performers currently working.

Guys like Cena, Rollins, Orton go out......guys like Styles, Gallows and possibly Bully Ray come in.

Questions asked.... questions answered.

What happens to the new hires when the old guys come back is anyone's guess......but having 'too much' top talent sounds like a pleasant problem to have, no?

 

[Jeff Deliverer of Mail]

As much as Bully Ray is a better gimmick than Bubba Ray, it leaves Dvon Dudley out in the cold. I find once Devon goes solo his star fades really fast.

 

[J.J.]

I have mixed signals about that. I feel the tag division needs them more at the moment. You remove them from the tag division and what other legitimate teams do you have? I've anticipated a heel run - even though it would never draw the heat it did during their ECW days. While on the other hand, Bubba during his run as Bully Ray was the best work of his career, so there is a bit of curiosity there on my part to see if it could work. But then what do you do with D'von? Last WWE run his Baptist Church gimmick was failure.

 

[rmp0012002]

Bubba has even tweeted about the Bully Ray character possibly coming back. I like the Dudleys and they need another run with the belts but it puts Dvon on the outside when Bubba is Bully Ray. Maybe Dvon is ready to retire and has no issues with it.
Bubba as Bully Ray and as a mobile 300lbs would work well at the main event level. He was great as a singles guy in TNA.

 

[Azane]

Poor Devon, he's so bland solo, he gets a run against Bubba, gets destroyed, leaves town.

Just seems like what happens to him.

Using Bubba as a Bully Heel works great for their anti bully campaign though, people like Kallisto or Dolph sized characters beating a bully just leads to feel good moments, especially for kids.

 

[George Steele's Barber]

No need for a Dudley feud, just have Bully tell Devon that he wants to take this opportunity to try to get things done on his own. Maybe throw in a catch where Devon gives his blessing but says Bully has to beat him first before he can go on his own. Bully beats Devon, they hug it out and Bully takes his own path elevating through the mid card. If he gets enough fan support give him a title or go as far as a main event run. Maybe let Devon surprise help Bully when he is at a numbers disadvantage.

When the run is over he can put over and help elevate some mid carders himself and then finish his WWE run back with Devon.

Devon can tag with Kallisto and singles job while Bully tried to make his mark.

I don't see much risk in this. It is a little different than most tag break ups and who knows if they can make some money on Bully. He was probably TNA's most compelling character for a time.

 

[detroitking02]

Fact is WWE hasn't created a big star since John Cena. With Cena, Rollins, Orton out WWE is desperate. Bully Ray was a really good top singles wrestler as a heel in TNA which WWE failed at doing. Now WWE is signing AJ Styles who WWE didn't care to sign years back . WWE is now going after other wrestling organization established stars and ppl who made a name for themselves. WWE like usual will drop the ball with Bully Ray gimmick and AJ Styles.

 

[lil steroid meat]

Kane couldn't be their main enhancement talent forever.

This might as well be Devon's pink slip though.

I have a feeling this wouldn't be happening if people weren't injured.

 

[J.J.]

Fact is WWE hasn't created a big star since John Cena. With Cena, Rollins, Orton out WWE is desperate. Bully Ray was a really good top singles wrestler as a heel in TNA which WWE failed at doing. Now WWE is signing AJ Styles who WWE didn't care to sign years back . WWE is now going after other wrestling organization established stars and ppl who made a name for themselves. WWE like usual will drop the ball with Bully Ray gimmick and AJ Styles.

What exactly did WWE fail at doing? Creating someone to compliment Cena or making more out of Bubba Ray? If it's the first, I agree and disagree. They didn't push anyone to Cena's level but they have pushed other stars over the years to rival him. Batista, CM Punk, DB, and Edge to name a few.

But if you're referring to Bubba in general - he was a success in WWE even if it was mainly shared with D'von or Spike Dudley. D'von couldn't get over on his own and Bubba was doing surprisingly okay considering the WWE audience had only seen him in a tag team.

Sometimes WWE misses the boat on talent as did ECW and WCW did. Arguably Jericho, Benoit, Mysterio and Eddie Guerrero found continued success in WWE than WCW or ECW. I'd argue that Kurt Angle had a better career in TNA than WWE but the success carried.

The same thing can be said about Bubba. Just because he wasn't a main eventer doesn't mean WWE failed with him. They chose to utilize him in a different avenue much like TNA did with him for so many years. He had a great run as a heel in TNA and I applaud them for giving him that opportunity.

 

[Vanilla Midget]

A Bubba Ray push inevitably comes at the expense of D-Von becoming irrelevant, but does it have to? Instead of Bubba Ray being pushed as a top heel at the expense of his brother, why not turn D-Von heel as well and have him become the back up and bodyguard?

That they could call up Batista and see if he's down for Reverend and Deacon reunion tour? I smell money.

Bubba has claimed in interviews to be in the best shape of his life/career. 44 is a little too old in a time where we're questioning the ages of a group of guys from NJPW who are in their mid 30s.

WWE needs interim stars, and Bubba could carry some big feuds. Based on his TNA work, I'd say he's capable of garnering better heat than anyone in League of Nations, who are the top heels right now so far as booking is concerned (McMahon and Triple H not withstanding).

Regardless of his shape, his run will be short if he has one. Two, three years maximum and father time will likely come to collect on his in ring career. Bubba has had a late career resurgence with the Bully character, maybe that can translate into some money and some good tv for us.

But it has to happen after TLC at WrestleMania 32, I mean come on.

 

[YatesA]

All for a Bully Ray singles run, get heat on him, if it catches well then get a title then put over a babyface and Bully rides off into the sunset.

 

[Gio 8]

I really don't think Bully Ray would work in WWE. I'm not a massive fan of TNA but the aces and eights story was great at times and that's what got him over there. If the split the Dudleys it will be on a par with when they split most tag teams. A short feud which ends with both vanishing afterwards for a while.

Titus and Darren, Miz and Sandow, Shad and JTG, Cody and Goldust and DiBiase and Rhodes spring to mind. I'm all for a good tag team split but the WWE never seem to be able to stick with it and see how it goes.

 

[Good Golly It's Ollie]

Fact is WWE hasn't created a big star since John Cena. With Cena, Rollins, Orton out WWE is desperate. Bully Ray was a really good top singles wrestler as a heel in TNA which WWE failed at doing. Now WWE is signing AJ Styles who WWE didn't care to sign years back . WWE is now going after other wrestling organization established stars and ppl who made a name for themselves. WWE like usual will drop the ball with Bully Ray gimmick and AJ Styles.

Who says they will drop the ball? You don't know what's going to happen mate. As for star power Cena's the biggest in a long time, yeah, but Orton's pretty well known as well. Creating 'the one guy' is a financial focus of theirs because it turns the guy into a draw and merch machine, and yes they could probably use more backups, but the Shield that seem like they'll be able to carry the company for a little while at least, along with Lesnar et al.

Also WWE have reportedly tried to sign Styles a few times but only now is he in a life position where he's comfortable accepting.

Anyway I'm sort of half-and-half on this, partially because I'm a blatant mark for the Dudleys as the Dudleys, but I appreciate there was a lot of untapped potential in Bully Ray and there's not much else for them to really do now. Don't care if he doesn't main event, I'm not sure it's the right fit between him and the other top guys anyway.

But it will be hilarious if a Bully Ray vs. AJ Styles WWE title match ever happens.

 

[kadroan]

According to the WON, there's some talk in WWE about splitting up Bubba Ray and D-Von with Bubba Ray altering his gimmick to be more along the lines of the Bully Ray character in TNA. The report doesn't mention how serious the talks are or how much support from the top officials it has, nor does it mention what will be done with D-Von.

I wouldn't mind seeing Bubba Ray go solo and, frankly, it worked quite well for him in TNA. Of course, I doubt he'd be exactly the way he was in TNA because someone would almost certainly get offended. I also can't say that I'm overly anxious to see them have another tag team title run because, frankly, I just don't see that they need it. What they've been doing is putting over younger, fresher teams, especially New Day, and that's the best way to use them in my eyes. However, eventually, it'll start to get a bit old watching them put over other teams and it won't be long after that when we'll hear about fans wanting them to split up anyhow.

It sounds great for Bubba Ray. I'm just not sure if this is a good thing for D-Von, especially since Spike isn't around.

 

[AegonTargaryen]

As much as Bully Ray is a better gimmick than Bubba Ray, it leaves Dvon Dudley out in the cold. I find once Devon goes solo his star fades really fast.

Does Devon even matter?

The guy is so overrated and beyond redundant, it's a shame. The Dudleys(as a tag team) themselves are redundant, to be candid. I do believe Bully Ray as a solo guy is talented and stuff. But Devon? Jeez.

I've never seen him do beyond 3-4 moves and it's been like 20 years. The get the tables schtick is torturously annoying and the dumb WWE crowds like nothing more than to respond like a bunch of Pavlovian dogs...to whatever they're conditioned to respond to.

That being said, It'll be good for business if Bully goes solo. He could potentially have quite a few interesting feuds, and the most intriguing one I can foresee/conceive as of now is BULLY RAY vs Kevin Owens. Imagine the verbal exchange.

 

[BestSportsEntertainer]

The Dudleyz have only been together 5 months since returning. There should be no rush to split them up. They can still feud with the League of Nations or turn heel and feud with the Lucha Dragons or Usos. We also need to see at least one TLC match.

If they do split, the Usos are the only face tag team in WWE. Who wants to see that?

Bully Ray had a great singles run in TNA as a heel, and he should be just as great in WWE, but they should wait about 1-2 years before they split.

 

[J.J.]

The Dudleyz have only been together 5 months since returning. There should be no rush to split them up. They can still feud with the League of Nations or turn heel and feud with the Lucha Dragons or Usos. We also need to see at least one TLC match.

If they do split, the Usos are the only face tag team in WWE. Who wants to see that?

Bully Ray had a great singles run in TNA as a heel, and he should be just as great in WWE, but they should wait about 1-2 years before they split.

Well WWE only focuses on one team at a time. There's still PTP, whatever that can evolve out of Social Outcast, and we haven't seen an official breakup of Lucha Dragons. Maybe something can still be salvaged out of The Acension? Wishful thinking?

It's tough to want to wait another year or two to split the team. You gotta keep in mind that Bubba Ray is in his mid 40s as is D'von. I still stand by keeping them together and have single matches - no need to split them and have them feud with each other.

There's enough talent between NXT and the main roster to where they don't have to move Bubba into a solo run at this stage of his career.

 

[d_henderson1810]

According to the WON, there's some talk in WWE about splitting up Bubba Ray and D-Von with Bubba Ray altering his gimmick to be more along the lines of the Bully Ray character in TNA. The report doesn't mention how serious the talks are or how much support from the top officials it has, nor does it mention what will be done with D-Von.

I wouldn't mind seeing Bubba Ray go solo and, frankly, it worked quite well for him in TNA. Of course, I doubt he'd be exactly the way he was in TNA because someone would almost certainly get offended. I also can't say that I'm overly anxious to see them have another tag team title run because, frankly, I just don't see that they need it. What they've been doing is putting over younger, fresher teams, especially New Day, and that's the best way to use them in my eyes. However, eventually, it'll start to get a bit old watching them put over other teams and it won't be long after that when we'll hear about fans wanting them to split up anyhow.

I think it is a great idea.

Have them work through the tag-team division a bit longer, and when they have exhausted that, then have them fall out. They could fight over a couple of PPVS, with the blow-off match being a Tables Match.

Maybe you could even have the cracks in the team reveal itself when Bubba tells D-Von to get the tables, and D-Von says "Get your own damn tables!" and walks off, leaving him at the mercy of the tag-team they are fighting.

After their feud, D-Von could be in the midcard division, and be in the IC or U.S. Title picture.

Bubba Ray should go back to being a "Bully Ray" type character, and should fight for, and even win, the WWE Title. Bubba Ray has the stickwork, his ringwork has improved, and if he gets back to his match fitness in TNA, he could be a top-liner, no worries.

I could see Bully Ray fighting people like Cena, Orton, Reigns, Rollins and other top-liners.

 

[Uncle Sam]

Bubba Ray Dudley is one of the most overlooked wrestlers in WWE history - genuinely a phenomenal, world class talent; a man who knows precisely how to manipulate a crowd any which way, which is the ultimate aim of professional wrestling. I've called him one of the greats of the last twenty years before and I've meant it. The Dudley Boys, by most metrics, are one of the greatest tag teams of all-time, and it's basically always been Bubba Ray and the other bloke. D-Von's the warmest of warm bodies, and by no means bad, but he's no Bubba Ray, and that's been emphasised any time they've had singles runs.

So yes, Bubba Ray is a valuable asset by himself. D-Von can go enjoy retirement in his parish.

 

[NSL]

Seems like another nod to the dearth of top singles performers currently working.

Guys like Cena, Rollins, Orton go out......guys like Styles, Gallows and possibly Bully Ray come in.

Questions asked.... questions answered.

What happens to the new hires when the old guys come back is anyone's guess......but having 'too much' top talent sounds like a pleasant problem to have, no?

^^^ This definitely seems like the reasoning, but I'm not sure I agree with the move. Bully Ray can certainly work as a sorta top guy, and that would allow D-Von to be a road agent/mentor for the young tag wrestlers, but I think they're best served in the tag division, at least until the guys from NXT start moving up to the main roster.

 

[Navi]

While I would say that Bubba Ray is the more charismatic of the two and a singles career isn't out of the question. What does beg to be answered is, why now?

With the Prime Time Players not wrestling, what's up with that, and the injury to Sin Cara, the tag division is lacking. You only have the Uso's, New Day and the Dudley's. Los Matadores have dropped off the face of the earth so it would seem. The Ascension aren't used much either.

So why split up the Dudley's at this time when they are needed? Maybe two weeks ago might have looked like a good idea, but with the Lucha Dragon now gone, I don't think they can afford to do it. I mean sure they can make tag teams out of anyone at any time, but chemistry is important and two wrestler's thrown together sometimes just doesn't work.

Call up a couple of teams from NXT if you have too, give them some time to get at least a little established, pray to God there are no more injuries, then split them up. Bubba Ray as I said would do very well, he's the mainstay of the two, D-Von don't know what they would do with him. Maybe send him to NXT to help the newer guys.

 

[NSL]

With the Prime Time Players not wrestling, what's up with that, and the injury to Sin Cara, the tag division is lacking. You only have the Uso's, New Day and the Dudley's. Los Matadores have dropped off the face of the earth so it would seem. The Ascension aren't used much either.

To be honest, I had completely forgotten about PTP, Los Matadores, and The Ascension, which goes to show how badly the Dudleyz are needed right now. They don't need to be in the tag title picture, or even in "tag" feuds, but they need to be on TV as a unit, and not as singles wrestlers. They can wait to do that once summer comes, and guys like Undertaker and Brock aren't around as much as they will be for the WrestleMania build.

 

[Hyorinmaru]

I liked Bully Ray in TNA so I wouldn't mind a singles push and maybe a midcard title reign before he retires. He's shown he can do awesome on his own and a US or IC title reign especially with him as a heel would be great TV and a good rub for the young face they choose to beat him for the title.

Devon is another story though. He's decent in the ring but he's horrible on the mic. There's a reason it's Bubba on the mic during 99% of their promos. If they split put him in another tag team because if they don't he will flounder on his own and I would hate to see that happen.