The Dudley Boyz Discuss Leaving WWE In 2005 & Their Returns

In an interview with Talk is Jericho, The Dudley Boyz spoke about leaving WWE, joining TNA and their eventual return to WWE. Here are highlights:

Bubba Ray on being released from WWE: “[WWE] kind of lumped us into that ‘Black Friday’ where they said, ‘oh, the Dudleys were released also’ and that was totally untrue. We were negotiating with them and we got really close to coming to a new deal, but at the end, we just couldn’t agree on a couple of things, so we just agreed to go our separate ways, so we didn’t sign a new deal. We were never released.” Bubba Ray added, “there was definitely a spirited conversation between me and Johnny Ace [also known as John Laurinaitis, former WWE Senior Vice President of Talent Relations].”

Bubba Ray going to TNA as as The Deadly Brothers: “It was close enough, but just different enough, so we actually had merchandise made and everything. And about a week before we were supposed to debut for TNA, word of our name got out on the internet and I was really, really annoyed with that, that it got out there and I just got pissed. And I always knew we had Team 3D to fall back on, so I said, ‘screw it. Lets just call ourselves Team 3D.’”

D-Von on returning to the WWE: “There was unfinished business and everybody comes back at least once or twice and being we had only come through the doors once, it was only fitting that we come back again a second time because we still can go [and] we still look good. I mean, we’re in better shape now than we were 15, 20 years ago, and not to mention, we’re a lot smarter.”

On Vince McMahon telling them their job is to help mold young tag teams: “We want to do whatever it takes to help every other team get to the level that we were given the opportunity to get to, or the Hardys or Edge & Christian, and maybe one day see a new golden age of tag team wrestling. And if we can lend our name, our credibility, our experience, our whatever, to all of these guys, then job well done.” Bubba Ray continued, “and there are a lot of cool teams here [in WWE] right now. The New Day is doing a fantastic job. They’re really, really entertaining. The Prime Time Players are doing well. I really enjoy the Lucha Dragons and [Los Matadores]. And once the Usos are back together, there are guys out there, that if we can hit at the right time, the right mix of guys in the ring, we might be able to do some good stuff.”

100% DIRECT LINK (PHOTOS): New Cute Renee Young “Selfie” Pic! SHE’S SMOKIN’ HOOOTTTTTT!!