D-Von Dudley: If It Wasn’t For Paul Heyman, There Would Be No Attitude Era

D-Von Dudley comments on Paul Heyman going into WWE Hall of Fame. 

Paul Heyman was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2024 due to his contributions to the business as a photographer, manager, commentator, promoter, and more. Heyman’s biggest contribution to wrestling was ECW, a promotion that still lives on in spirit to this day. 

Two of the biggest success stories coming out of ECW were the Dudley Boyz (D-Von Dudley & Bubba Ray Dudley), who were the top tag team in ECW history and went on to have success in WWE and TNA. 

Speaking on Gabby AF, D-Von commented on Heyman going into the Hall of Fame. 

“The whole induction for Paul was great because Paul really did deserve it. Paul helped change the face of professional wrestling, of course along with Cactus Jack and Terry Funk and Onita bring that style from Japan to the United States when ECW was born. But, with the ideas and the booking of Paul Heyman and how he ran that company, it was great with how he gave a bunch of misfits the opportunity when other wrestling organizations wouldn’t have dared to give us an opportunity. He made us into stars. I like to say that we were stars in ECW, but we became superstars in WWE. In order for us to be able to become that superstar, first we have to become a star, and Paul Heyman helped us do that. Well deserved for him being inducted into the Hall Of Fame. Again, if it wasn’t for him, there would be no attitude era, there would be no Stone Cold Steve Austin, there would be none of us so I’m very happy and proud that he’s in the Hall Of Fame.

“His speech on the other hand, ooh. That was a little crazy because no one had ever spoke like that at the Hall Of Fame. He kept it real, he kept it real but no one had ever done that before and the language that was being used, I’m listening to it in the arena, so I don’t know what was being bleeped but I’m sure you can make out what he was saying even though it was being bleeped. I think that’s the first time that anyone has ever done that before and that’s just true Paul Heyman form. He’s not gonna do the same like everyone else, Paul is gonna be Paul and he’s gonna be entertaining. You’re gonna be glued to the TV from the time he comes on until the time he says goodnight.”

Many ECW legends, including the Dudleyz and Rob Van Dam, were in attendance for Heyman’s Hall of Fame induction. 

Elsewhere during the interview, D-Von commented as to why he was not part of WrestleMania XL alongside Bubba Ray. You can find his full comments by clicking here. 

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