Earlier this month, WWE Hall of Famer D-Von Dudley revealed that he was the victim of racism during his early WWE career. Explaining that the company's "philosophy was still stuck in the 50s and 60s" when he signed with them in the mid-90s, he recalled a vile exchange with a WWE official.
D-Von explained that, "When a person comes up to you and tells you that they don’t like you because of the color of your skin, and you’re sitting up there going, 'Wow, really?' When? 1999, uh, 2000."
In a new interview, the ECW icon defended Vince McMahon, John Laurinaitis, Michael Hayes, and Pat Patterson amid the continued speculation, and revealed that he was talking about iconic commentator Jim Ross.
"Was it JR? Yes, I did have a problem with JR back then, and I didn’t know why," D-Von shared. "I’m not angry at the man today, but was I disappointed with that man when he said the things he said to me back then? Yes I was."
"I don’t wish that man any bad illness, nothing like that. I was very hurt, very bothered by what the man had said on two separate occasions," he continued. "And like I said about Hogan, I’m not asking you to forget what was said, but you have to forgive. And I’ve forgiven him in my heart."
"I have not talked to him. When I see him, I don’t say anything to him," D-Von added. "Not once has he come to me and apologized for the things that he said. And he might say he don’t remember...whether he wants to be stubborn about it or what have you, that’s on him."
Ross has yet to comment on D-Von's claims, but now that he's been named, we have to imagine he'll eventually say something in response on his podcast.
The full interview is worth a watch, as the WWE Hall of Famer also comments on AEW President Tony Khan's inability, in his opinion, to book a professional wrestling show.
"I’ve never buried [Tony Khan]. I’ve sat there and said I’ve got no gripes with him. I’ve got no hard feelings," D-Von shared. "I just don’t think he’s the right booker for the company, even though he’s the guy that financially takes care of everybody. Listen, Dixie Carter financially took care of everybody in TNA at the time, but she wasn’t a booker."
"I’ve always said, get somebody that can come in there and help you book, instead of the people that you have surrounding you."
You can watch the full interview with D-Von in the player below.