In a new interview, Bully Ray has talked about his and D-Von's departure from WWE, and why he was never able to bring his TNA persona to the company he spent a large chunk of his career in.
Apparently, The Dudleys were not happy being used to put younger talent over for an entire year and that led to a lot of clashes with Vince McMahon. It was then that Bully Ray suggested turning on his tag team partner and playing that character he had developed in TNA/Impact.. However, Vince had a big problem with that.
"I told him about Bully Ray, and me and Vince McMahon had three really good and serious conversations about Bully Ray and he was totally into it. He said that nobody loves the bully character more than me. He said that is who I am, but he said that I cannot call you Bully Ray. I can't use the name "Bully" and have the Be-A-Star program."
Even after he suggested portraying Bully Ray in that way for a year before learning his lesson and becoming reformed so he could speak on behalf of the Be-A-Star program, Vince was worried about the reception the concept would receive in the press. However, it seems they agreed on the "Intimidator Bubba Ray."
"Our last night that was on Raw was supposed to be the night I turned on D-Von. A few days before Raw, Vince McMahon calls me himself and said, 'Pal, I'm sorry, we're not going to run with it. We're not quite sure we see the money in the feud.'"
Vince has since told him he would be welcomed back in a producer role, but most fans will agree that he made a mistake not bringing Bully Ray to WWE.