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The Dudley Boyz are one of the greatest tag teams in wrestling history, competing in ECW, WWE, and TNA. Bubba Ray and D-Von would work together for decades and carry tag team gold everywhere they went. Bubba Ray even transitioned into a successful singles competitor. Many forget, however, that D-Von Dudley was a solo wrestler too, and he was better than you think.
D-Von Dudley Was Looked At As The Lesser Of The Dudley Boyz
The Dudley Boyz are arguably the best tag teams of all time. They are one of the defining acts of the original ECW, carrying tag team gold there eight times through the late 90s, before moving to WWE. The duo didn’t miss a step, as they were seemingly tailored-made for the company’s extremely popular Attitude Era. They, along with the Hardy Boyz and Edge and Christian, would rule the tag team scene for years.
Bubba Ray always seemed to get just a little more attention, however. It wasn’t that D-Von was lacking. He had the talent and charisma that his kayfabe brother had, but the camera always sought out Bubba Ray first. In 2002, WWE would do the unthinkable and split the popular pair, with Bubba Ray on Raw and D-Von shipped to SmackDown. Many thought it would be the end for D-Von as if he needed Bubba Ray’s star for him to shine. Without him, he would surely fail. Instead, for a little while at least, D-Von thrived.
RELATED: Why The Dudley Boyz Were Better In TNA (& Why They Were Better In WWE)
Reverend D-Von Gave Us The Debut Of Batista
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On SmackDown, D-Von Dudley was repacked into Reverend D-Von, a heelish preacher who served as the spiritual advisor to Mr. McMahon. It showed what the company thought of his potential, to pair him with the man who ran everything. D-Von was given a big push, sharing the ring with the likes of new stars such as John Cena and Randy Orton, and even beating Triple H on an episode of SmackDown.
The character will most be remembered for being used to debut Batista. Batista stood by Reverend D-Von’s side as Deacon Batista, an imposing-looking enforcer clad in a sleeveless suit and wearing a collection box on a chain around his neck. D-Von and Batista became a tag team, but with Batista primed to be a huge star, it wasn’t long before he turned on D-Von. Just like that, the Reverend D-Von character ran out of steam, and by the end of the year D-Von and Bubba Ray would be reunited. Even though Reverend D-Von didn’t last long, he was given a big push while he existed, and will always at least be remembered for giving us one of wrestling’s most popular stars in Batista. If D-Von hadn’t been so good in his role, Batista may not have become the legend he is today.
RELATED: The Dudley Boyz Were A Rare Tag Team Who Succeeded As A Duo & As Singles Stars
Brother D-Von Wins Gold In TNA
In 2005, WWE and The Dudley Boyz parted ways due to a contract dispute. In typical ugly fashion, WWE took The Dudley name too, even though The Dudley Boyz existed before they came to WWE. Now known as Brother Ray and Brother D-Von and calling themselves Team 3D, the pair continued to thrive and be as popular as ever, even though they were in the much smaller pond called TNA.
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During a 2010 retirement ceremony, Brother Ray turned on D-Von and became Bully Ray. The two battled for months, allowing both to become singles stars in the process. Brother Ray would become a megastar with the company, but you can’t ignore what D-Von accomplished either. D-Von would use his momentum to begin a feud with D’Angelo Dinero, where D-Von would come out the victor. He would then go on to challenge Robbie E for his Television Championship. At the Victory Road PPV, D-Von defeated Robbie E to capture his first singles championship.
D-Von successfully defended the title against the likes of Hernandez and Kazarian, before being stripped of the title after six months when he temporarily left the company following another contract dispute. It wasn’t long before D-Von returned, and now as a heel, recaptured his Television title, taking it away from the great Samoa Joe.
D-Von would carry the championship for another six months, before dropping it and leaving the company once more in 2014. He would never again carry a singles championship, but he made a lasting impression that let everyone know he was just as good as his kayfabe brother.
