D-Von Dudley Alleges Jim Ross Made Racist Remarks Towards Him

D-Von Dudley has confirmed the WWE higher-up who allegedly made racist remarks towards him around the turn of the millennium was former WWE Executive Vice President of Talent Relations and current AEW commentator Jim Ross.

Dudley had already heavily insinuated the former WWE higher-up he was referring to was Ross, but D-Von has confirmed it was JR during an appearance on Duke Loves Rasslin.

"Did I come out and say '10-gallon hat'? Yes. Did Maven let the cat out of the bag? Yes. Was it JR? Yes. I did have a problem with JR back then - and I didn't know why. I'm not angry at the man today. I know he's dealing with health issues, and to show you where I am in my life now, I pray that God heals his body. But was I disappointed when he said what he said to me back then? Yes, I was," D-Von said.

"He can deny it all he wants, but Bubba was there - and he remembers the incident. Paul Heyman was there, Spike Dudley was there, Tommy Dreamer was there. All these people witnessed it, and none of them are Black. I say that because people love to claim, 'Oh, if they were Black, they'd stick together and pull the race card...'No one is pulling anything here. And I'm not saying this now because I'm retired or no longer with the company."

Dudley later explained why he decided to go public with the allegations, adding:

"The question kept coming up, and I got tired of hearing, 'Who was it?' If I didn't want to say it back then, I had every right not to. You just wanted to know - I didn't owe anyone that answer. So why now? Because I wanted to. This was my way of letting it go. Whatever people choose to do with it on social media… that's on them. I don't wish the man any harm or illness. I was very hurt - very bothered - by what he said on two separate occasions. And just like I've said about Hogan, I'm not asking anyone to forget, but you do have to forgive. And I've forgiven him in my heart. I haven't talked to him, and when I see him, I don't say anything, because he's never come to me to apologise. He might say he doesn't remember...and that's fine."

Dudley had previously revealed on his YouTube channel in an interview with Bubba Ray Dudley and Maven on October 17 that a WWE higher-up had told D-Von they didn't like him because of the colour of his skin. Dudley didn't name Ross at the time, but he did refer to a "10-gallon hat", and Maven shouted "Go Sooners" in reference to the Oklahoma Sooners football team that JR supports.

Dudley later noted he believes a lot of members of the Ku Klux Klan "made their way" into pro wrestling and traded in their white sheets for suits.

H/T WrestleZone