Bubba Ray Dudley: "Technical wrestling is boring", TNA vs WWE, Sting, CM Punk, more

Emmy winning entertainment reporter Chris Van Vliet talks to TNA World Heavyweight Champion Bully Ray. Bully talks about TNA not being able to compete with the "gigantic mega machine" of WWE, he says he is a fan of CM Punk, talks about Devon's departure from TNA, the chances of Sting going to WWE and much more.
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Twitter: @ChrisVanVliet
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[@hotman718]

Damn he looks in great shape. Way better then his WWE days.

[@Bmx427]

Now he’s fat again 🤦‍♂️

[@FINETUNEDGAMING]

I can't take anything away from Bully. When it comes to getting a reaction from the crowd he's right up there with the best of them. I'd love to have sen the kind of promos he could do with guys like The Rock, HBK or Flair...the true showmen of wrestling history. Safe to say that Bully Ray's pretty high on that list. Best heel of the modern era (take that Triple H).

[@rockajabroni5975]

Yeah the heat he gets is REALLY hard to do right? Just calling fans random shit. Get real, 'one of the best'...

[@FINETUNEDGAMING]

Jake Gigawatt Yeah, cuz just anyone can do it and get taken as seriously as he can right? Shut up.

[@jesuscondom7444]

1. Bully Ray is nowhere near as good as Triple H was. Bully Ray is at highest on level with Orton when he was heel in 2009. 2. Bully Ray is not even close to the likes of Ric Flair, The Rock, Stone Cold, HBK, Undertaker etc..

[@FINETUNEDGAMING]

Jesus Condom 1. Bully Ray incited riots in the crowd, that's how much heat he got in the ECW era...maybe you don't know that because you never watched it, but I did and millions of others have as well. 2. Speak on what you know. The Dudleys did have a feud with Taker in WWE when they stole the Urn, and that was a classic, hard hitting rivalry. Pay attention to how Bully/Bubba spoke and promoed in that. Consistently intense with the NYC attitude of his. The rest you can't speak on because it never happened, so stop trying to sound like an expert, cuz you right now just sound like *another* clueless WWE fanboy.

[@VeraciousTorment]

When he says technical wrestling is boring, I don't think he's necessarily wrong. It CAN be boring -- but that of course, is heavily dependent on what is done in the ring, and how the techniques are utilized. Often times, mat wrestlers do the same, generic rest hold, but with guys like William Regal, Chris Benoit, Eddie Guerrero, Bret Hart, Kurt Angle, (to name a few, there's a lot I'm aware of that) those guys were able to mix up the mat wrestling styles with a touch of flavor. Eddie G. with his experience in high-flying wrestling was able to mix it up with some agility, energy. Although he was grounded, it didn't take much for him to come right back up. Hell, even Mysterio's done it a few times. The kip ups, spins, rolls, those are just simple ways of using speed to counter some holds and grapples. Chris Benoit and Regal were both vicious in their styles. They kept you grounded, but they had their brutal, hard-hitting tactics of working with people. Whether it was using headbutts, strikes to the neck, chest, back, whatever it was. They beat the living hell out of you, and worked primarily on those body parts they wanted to "stretch." Bret Hart and Angle are certainly the more traditional mat wrestlers, in my eyes, and undoubtedly one of the best in their craft. Angle works a little more showmanship, in that his personality is the biggest thing next to his wrestling ability. Sorry for the wall of text.

[@killershadow7752]

@sneksnekitsasnek cena is boring

[@jason666king]

Now that is one hell of a (worked) shoot promo. I never gave Bully Ray the respect he deserved as a singles talent, but damn, he just convinced me. JK

[@sc-sportscompilations5753]

Bubba Rey Dudley is a genius!

[@jidf32]

I dont understand how people dont get what Bubba is saying about technical wrestling. the man is a professional and knows what he is talking about. If you look at the biggest money drawers in say the wwe, or the most over guys in the history, not a lot of them are in ring generals. look at hulk, Cena, Goldberg at EWC. technical guys are good and all but in the sports entertainment industry what sells are mic skills(except when it comes to monsters) and attitude. catchphrases also dont hurt. Even Danielson said it that it doesnt matter whether you are good. question is are you marketable

[@kenthegamer]

Look at Dean Malenko and Lance Storm great wrestlers with great matches but both couldn't cut good promos.

[@charismaticenigma1262]

Cena has got good mic skill? Good joke.

[@1Paraj]

Dave Batista cena is stale, and his gimmick is undesirable, but he can cut a hell of a promo. don't bull shit yourself cause you hate him.

[@charismaticenigma1262]

1Paraj I hate you too.

[@1Paraj]

Dave Batista that's lovely. I think about that as I sleep

[@balancer182]

5:50 Oh my goodness, guess who Roman got his catchphrase from?

[@isaiahgarcia163]

Hahaha that's awesome. he got it from someone with just as impressive talking skills lmao

[@y2j-smoove755]

kurt angle and chris benoit had amazing matches, what kind of wrestling would you call that? they were genius in the ring, they are amazing TECHNICAL wrestlers

[@robertodimas7429]

@๓๏гɭยภ ђยภՇ Bret Hart was the face for a good while. Benoit and guerrero were the face for a little only but benoit is the best wrestler(specifically in the ring) ever. Kurt angle was the face for a good while.

[@robertodimas7429]

@๓๏гɭยภ ђยภՇ dean malenko is the only one from the comment that is a true technical specialist. He was never the face but he is for sure one of the best wrestlers of all time. I think hes satisfied with that

[@Blackwolfninja89]

He lost a lot of weight. i hardly recognized at first.

[@charismaticenigma1262]

"Bully Ray: "Technical wrestling is boring" You're boring.

[@WhiteTigerWenzel]

Batista when you return after a what 4 year absent and in the rumble you and Reigns were the final 2... But they were not only cheering Bryan but Roman Reigns. Don't be hating when people hate you my man.

[@charismaticenigma1262]

Joseph Wenzel I hate you too.

[@WhiteTigerWenzel]

love your 45 year old ass to mr. im gonna be wrestling til i can't damn walk! YES! YES! YES!

[@hottamaledanielperez2451]

You guys realize that this most likely isn't actually Batista

[@WhiteTigerWenzel]

Oh I could care less , whether it's Batista or one of his few fans...

[@thomasswimm2265]

One of the best interviews done lately. Kept it real on every subject.

[@Fraevo10]

That was one of the most freakin' awesome interviews I've ever heard with a Pro Wrestler. Much *RESPECT*

[@drzjoker88]

8:31 "No one has ever sold out 94,000 seats before." Antonio Inoki and Ric Flair would like to have a word with you.

[@anuragsai8309]

Finally a geniuine interview!! Great stuff!!

[@jackiethompson7446]

this was by far the best wrestling interview ive ever seen...aside from some shoots..this was top notch

[@maddskilzz1319]

That was a great interview. I haven't watched Bubba's run in TNA but I've always been a fan. I like that he stayed in "character" but at the same time you felt like you were hearing the man behind the character. Although like he said there really isn't a difference between the two. Either way I enjoyed that interview.

[@MrCarlorr]

Bubba needs to go to WWE and win the wwe championship or heavyweight championship at least once.

[@ZUZAINFINITY]

Why? So he can be another guy overshadowed by hhh and cena? No thanks.

[@ThingsYouWant2C]

hell fucking know in wwe he will always be know as bubba Ray the tag team wrestler

[@ZUZAINFINITY]

ThingsYouWant2C Bully Ray is too manly for the WWE.

[@ZUZAINFINITY]

@@m0xl3y89 wow that comment is really old. I guess I meant when cena was the main WWE guy and the other wrestlers were being held back and Bubba would’ve likely not be given a championship match lol. But I don’t really watch wrestling anymore.

[@cylusxxx]

This is one of the coolest interviews I've seen from Bully Ray.

[@JordanMaddison]

Bully Ray is the perfect TNA success story, guy comes in from WWE was a mid-card tag team guy totally reinvents himself and becomes World Champ, hats off to him.

[@abidmalik6541]

Really great interview, mad respect for Bully Ray!

[@SES6924]

technical wrestling is boring to him because he can't do it

[@SOLIDSNAKE.]

He don't hide it tho

[@Mrbgatooo]

Holly shit is that bubba ray dudley? Holy shit he's buff now!

[@doughunt2602]

He's in amazing shape now

[@GEricG]

Bully Ray is looking in great shape these days.

[@FedorMachida]

Awesome interview. Bubba Ray is an all time great.

[@HarmyzSkyy]

i agree man and thx for tellin me when the fight is ill be sure to watch that one.

[@waleed4speed]

nice interview .. good work man

[@sangjester19832]

great interview

[@ledandan1]

That was a great interview. Bully ray is officially a cool dude.

[@MrPie]

Great questions by Vilet. This is a really neat interview.

[@arvydussibonus1712]

Love this!

[@ChaosX2Limited]

this is a good interview, he clearly has a great respect for the business hes not gonna sit there and dump on wwe cus thats not who he is hes a fan and wrestler but i will say this is it dosent matter about your style of wrestling if your technical or not, any kind of style is boring if you dont have the ring presence or charisma to back it up

[@AntiSolid3000]

Great interview

[@Tommy_Munk]

He seems very intelligent and seems to know the business, he could definitely have an important role once he is finished in the ring

[@geobots65]

This is crazy. I think I just became A Bully Ray fan. Great interview.

[@tmntchad]

This was a great interview.

[@nathanieljones5068]

Good Interview

[@drumgod86]

I think it would be cool to do some cross-brand promotional PPV, where TNA sends a few guys and WWE sends their guys and we have like 6 singles matches..that would be cool to see. Would never happen due to money, talent and obviously the heads of the companies would never want to make themselves look weaker by losing to the other.

[@DrGnockerz]

Bully Ray is right, technical wrestling IS boring, guys like Kurt Angle, Ric Flair, Shawn Michaels, those guys did MORE than technical wrestling, they combined their in ring talent with storytelling telling, mic skills and working the crowds. That's what separates them from boring jobbers like Dean Malenko and Roderick Strong. Bully Ray is an absolute legend, Dudleyz/Team 3D is the greatest tag team ever, Ray was one of the best shit talkers ever, I'm glad he finally became a main eventer.

[@DrGnockerz]

***** Lesnar, Benoit & Cesaro have intensity and believability that make their matches interesting when they combine it with their wrestling skills. Punk can at least cut good promos, Bryan just sucks.

[@hyperbomb180]

MrMoneyInTheBank Stop watching wrestling. You just said Dean Malenko, Roderick Strong and Bryan Danielson suck...... First of all, Dean Malenko was one of the few Western wrestlers bringing that hard hitting Jr style to the states. Without Dean Malenko, a lot of wrestlers wouldn't exist. You talk about jobbers as if the wrestler himself has control over what happens in a ring as far as wins and losses go. Have you even watched a Dean Malenko or Roderick Strong match? Roderick Strong isn't even a technical wrestler. He uses more of a Strong style, something you probably know nothing about. There is no point in even talking about Bryan Danielson. He was regarded as the best in the world for 10 straight years. SHUT UP! Dudleyz are the best tag team ever????? SHUT UP x2! Kazuchika Okada was a jobber in TNA and now he's one of the best wrestlers in the world. SHUT UP INFINITY!

[@hyperbomb180]

MrMoneyInTheBank And by saying that Technical wrestling sucks, you would also agree that Dory Funk Jr sucks too right? I bet Billy Robinson also sucked... yeah......

[@DrGnockerz]

hyperbomb180 Those 3 guys are also boring as hell, compare them to guys like Shawn Michaels, Kurt Angle and Ric Flair whom are also great in the ring but they also have compelling characters to keep things interesting.

[@hyperbomb180]

So you watch wrestling for the compelling characters? Okay, it makes sense now. This is the problem with wrestling fans today. They call themselves wrestling fans and die hards yet they watch it for mostly all of the things that happen outside of the ring, If you find wrestlers like Dean Malenko boring, then you are not really a wrestling fan. He was a member of the 4 horsemen for a reason. .

[@vrkurosawa]

I went to an ECW show and a little old lady was in the first row jawing with Bubba Ray and he hid behind one of the security guys and yelled at her...hilarious. Fun guy, fun show.

[@fahimalvee512]

Aces and eights arc in TNA was its best one ever If only bully Ray could have existed in WWE too It would have been iconic Aces and eights arc will be one of the iconic arcs in wrestling

[@jasonlyte-armstrong9995]

Glad to see the trilogy of Steamboat vs. Flair. That was absolutely epic stuff and WCW was the amazing. Look at your list and consider how many of the stars you mentioned were WCW stars..

[@Hellboysjd]

WTF a video AD just ran on youtube and i have adblock!? Back on subject, epic vid! thanks!!

[@wadecooper4228]

this is a good interview

[@shantar3608]

this guy is a great interviewer, should have more subscribers!

[@jtkut4818]

1/2 of the best tag team of all time. Awesome interview.

[@joshuagumpert8910]

Of their era. Road Warriors vs Dudleyz would be my dream match.

[@JTISREBORN]

Bully Ray is the Best Heel in pro wrestling right now. How many people have been so hated that the fans threw garbage at him. He's the man. I'd like to see him have a feuds with punk that would be great tv.

[@NateDawg920]

Holy shit...Bubba Ray got so damn big they had to change his name to Bully...I'd luv to see a side by side pic of now and 15 years ago...what a difference.

[@superdark37]

The problem with technical wrestling is that casual fans usually do not know how to appreciate the hard work and technique performed by very technical wrestlers like Dean Malenko or William Regal. Hardcore wrestling, as exciting as it looks and sounds, is unsustainable if done in excess as the audience will want more violence in the expense of the wrestlers' well-being. At the end of the day, a balance has to be made.

[@Camel76]

You can watch the episodes online or on their site.

[@loveyoungwild]

I love Bully and I hope he comes back to WWE.

[@MrBlack252]

Man Bully Ray got ripped!

[@quintana2639]

Love his honesty!!

[@tyermullins712]

I met Team 3-D in 2006 at a high school event. It was a Huge honor and I will never forget that moment

[@kryceksangel]

Where have you been? It's always been brought back for the 2016 olympics. Can't imagine it being in the winter olympics.

[@Science2Student]

It's really strange to me, because till now , I know this guy as Bubba Ray Dudley!!!

[@TheSupinesmokey]

i see what you mean but they only do that because to them is a somewhat basic move it doesnt form a being part of their moveset if it did they would definitely sell it e.g if they were wrestling steve corino

[@beafraidhorror]

Yea Michaels, Hart, Benoit, Jericho, Punk and Daniel Bryan are soooo boring. (Sarcasm)

[@jadoc3767]

How many times i have to say this? CM PUNK IS NOT A TECHNICIAN DAMMIT!!

[@WRESTLEHOUSE]

BEST Interview EVER ... GO Bully Ray GO TNA ... hash tag upside down heart!!!!

[@swacfan100]

He said it so right about WWE & TNA, WWEs been around for what 30 yrs something like that. WWE has also had help from celebrities, MR T. CINDY LAUPER. MIKE TYSON etc, they've had time 2 grow. To be around for 11 yrs while WWE is still king is amazing, a better network & promoting of their product would help as well.

[@qunardhoward]

If I remember correctly Christian said in an interview and I quote " I haven't won a world title until I won it in wwe."

[@levimcdaniel]

any match links of him as Mongo Vile ?

[@ItzDSD]

I hate how people don't get what he's saying. I could try to explain it but I'm not very good at it. I can tell you a story about how Eddie Guerrero and Dean Malenko had a match at a house show. It was a technical match, they were transition hold from hold, mat wrestling, chain wrestling, and doing it all - but the crowd got tired of it, they began to boo. Chant this is boring for the remainder of the match until Dean Malenko stopped the match and picked up a mic and told them to shut the fuck up. I honestly can't remember exactly where I heard it from. But I know it was from a wrestler that was working in WCW.( Edit: Raven Shoots on Dean Malenko, Eddie Guerrero, & Chris Benoit) In that case, technical wrestling is boring. But if you say it like that nobody will understand. If I say, to the UFC fans out there, GSP has entertaining fights. You'll fucking laugh. He takes you down, lays on you, lets you get up, and takes you down again. He's a scientific fighter. If I say, for the boxing fans out there, Floyd Maywhether is an exciting boxer, you'll fucking laugh. He's a very scientific boxer and only few can appreciate what he does in the ring. Many can appreciate his record, many can appreciate GSP's record. It's the same with Technical wrestling. Few can appreciate it. You may THINK you're the few that appreciates it but no, you just appreciate a good match. Watch World of Sport or (since the WWE Network came out) some really really old school wrestling. You might find a technical match or two in there. And in that technical match you'll say "this is so fucking boring" or you could enjoy it. Now if you're not into boxing well let's bring up some TV shows. Breaking Bad drew its biggest numbers for it's finale. It broke records in the finale...but wait a minute, what about the rest of the show? It was a brilliantly written and acted show with incredible cinematography but for a while, it was getting beat by what show? What show of all shows? True Blood. Why? Because True Blood had vampires. True Blood had explosions, and werewolves, and SEX. Breaking Bad was about a teacher with cancer who got into the meth business. 'Who cares nothing is happening tonight, he's not going to build a death machine and kill zombies with it or rip out someone's throat with his bare hands then run super fast is he?' Everyone shits on Michael Bay, but he still puts butts in the seats. Almost every damn year he releases Transformers and it makes a lot of money. Nobody is going to see a movie like Drive(watch the movie before you see the trailer) or There Will Be Blood. When they go to a movie theater they want to be really entertained and see something amazing and out of this world. There Will Be Blood and Drive are amazing movies some of my favorites, but they didn't bring in as much money as Michael Bay's Transformers does every year. Scarface didn't, Fight club didn't. Granted the economy is much different now than it was back then but they still didn't draw as much money. There's a reason Hulk Hogan drew ton of money. There's a reason Austin drew a ton of money and the Rock. They were larger than life, and when I say that it's not about their physique its about their personalities and characters. Technical Wrestling is boring in a sense, it took a while for Benoit and Guerrero to get their championships. Benoit because I'm guessing it was because he was too small. However, once Guerrero became larger than life he took off and won the championship. I remember being a kid tuning in every week on smackdown just to see him. He didn't lift the big show on his shoulders or slam Andre. He wasn't that big, strong, or fast. But he was funny and smart as a character. He lied and cheated every week and people actually rooted for him. I didn't watch him as a kid because of his technical wrestling, I watched him because he was entertaining and really that's all that matters. That's how you bring people in, by being entertaining. That's it for my essay, did not expect to write this much. TL;DR entertainment > technical wrestling.

[@3089280288]

Technical is were it should be at. The crowds suck

[@3089280288]

***** By who? We don't see it unless you watch college sports. This show stuff is over rated because that's all you see. Why does America do this?

[@anuragsai8309]

Great comment man.. It should be a right mix of both if you ask me

[@marcjohnson4782]

what about mma

[@fireheartis1]

Although I don't think all technical matches are boring like Bully Ray I have to say this dude can give a good interview. He's very respectful to the interviewer and tells it like he feels. I respect Bully Ray for that and wish his career well. I just hopes he releases technical matches the likes of Bret Hart VS Bob Backland were amazing and very fun to watch.

[@asclosetotedturnerasilleverbe]

well done

[@MrKravonGill]

wow dint kno this guy was still wrestling..big ups Bully

[@pur3k0]

I don't use twitter. You don't have a mic?

[@AdoublesLdouble]

Plus one of my favorite wrestlers of all time wasn't really a technical wrestler. Stan Hansen was beast

[@RM2k3-GRP]

most of the time it's still his heel "character" speaking

[@Konni1969]

No problem.

[@PapaPaegan]

ROH currently is on TV via the Sinclair Broadcasting Network (which owns various regional cable channels), and have had a TV show off/on for the last 3 years or so. For the first 7-8 years of the company's existence, though, it was entirely live show/DVD based, and it utilized the internet to connect to its fanbase better than anybody else. The ROH store sells compilation DVDs of former stars that went on to WWE/TNA fame. You should check 'em out.

[@WolfsBlood003]

He's in his prime now !!! good to see

[@SuperDerekShort]

Damn bubba got big as hell. "IF YOU DONT KNOW BY NOW, AH-AH-AH-OUR NAME I-I-I-I-IS THE D-D-D-DUDLEYS!"

[@zattanna74]

i have to say bully done a good honest interview

[@TheSupinesmokey]

roderick strong isnt boring i love his variations of the backbreaker ditto richards is good to watch obviously it's not bully's style so he isnt in to it but i enjoy watching these guys wrestle. and so do others those good story telling does add something extra to the mix

[@sexyfoward9]

Holy shit this is Bubba Ray? Wow, its been years since I've seen him.

[@thugzman7890]

Dude looks great

[@MyDestinyIsHero]

He's in awesome shape these days, he looks jacked.

[@royalkakler]

you can tell his improved his health, his physically better then he ever was in WWE

[@MrThundaro]

Terry has a heart of gold man.

[@stevenhaymon2441]

Whats funnt us thats s legit newstation interviewing him. Lol!

[@seanohare1001]

That Egg Sucking dog almost had me believing that was really Terry Funk 🤣

[@panther2552]

technical wrestling doing pretty damn good over in Japan. Right now NJPW is doing better than any other company. Also MMA fans should have no problem embracing pro wrestling considering arguably it's greatest fighter ever is easily pro wrestling's greatest technical wrestler in Kazushi Sakuraba.. oh yeah then there's lesnar. great interview btw. kinda nice with the half in character thing.

[@thepoetmack28]

He's not one of my favorite wrestlers, and I have a hard time buying into him as a main eventer even with his talking ability. That said this is one of the best shoot interviews from a wrestler I have seen. I know being real is what they are meant to be, but this one just seems genuine.

[@antzk9]

Tna caught my eyes from day one, its good interview by bully ray

[@RenosG]

The interviewer looks like Henry Cavill or is it my idea? Great interview btw and a very smart guy

[@lilosi445]

You have a point, but business wise it makes no sense to mention title runs from another company.

[@Letrnekissyou]

9:48 to 10:03 is when he talks about CM Punk Just in case anyone is only here to hear Bully commenting on CM Punk, no offense 'cause I watched the whole thing and I think it's a good interview I'm just saying

[@TheOutlawSteel]

I like how everyone below me is talking about random shit instead of actually talking about the video and how cool Bully Ray is out of character. He seems like a really straightforward and fun guy.

[@DarthBigMan]

I respect that man!

[@EMWFigureShelf]

I'd want to see Kevin Steen vs Bully Ray

[@joshbaker8128]

Gotta respect bully ray a champion in every major promotion hes been a part of hes wrestled the greats of today love him hate him great entertainer but pure wrestling fan do apperciate technical wrestling guys like aj styles cm punk daniel bryan kaz Samoa joe lots of heart some these guys Ain't the biggest and don't fit the stereotypical wrestling mold image wise but are great to watch

[@Poezick88]

Dude this guy is the man.

[@sjcsiba]

Oh I totally agree! That's why it's so sad that the world title is so low on the card, seeing as someone like Triple H has been chasing that title for years when he was still active as a superstar all the time. I'm not saying guys like Ziggler and del Rio don't have talent, for them the current use of the title is great, but the days that guys like Taker and Edge, among others, were chasing the WHC are not that long ago. As for Bully being any kind of champ in WWE? Don't know, we have to wait.

[@nourjeffhardy110]

He may bore you to tears when he talks but he's still a pretty good mic worker. I understand how you wouldn't be fully invested in his lame jokes, but when he's motivated (being serious), there's no arguing he's one of the best in that department.

[@LPnumber1]

Finally a news reporter that seems interested in interviewing a pro wrestler

[@WillFoSkill]

Bully Ray is so inspirational. My son wants to be just like him!!

[@dmxjericho6072]

I would LOVE to see Paul Heyman and Bully Ray work together (when he retires) have some creative advice and story ideas for WWE or TNA. These two know how to create excellent storylines, execute awesome character developments, memorable segments and promos, etc. I guarantee you, if this happened, I think the Pro Wrestling Industry could benefit greatly from this. It may not reach the levels of success like in the 80s and 90s, but it would still reach great financial and quality success.

[@Science2Student]

yes, but I just meant that I feel it strange, because I can't convince myself to call him Bully Ray! what a strange feeling ! :)

[@GEricG]

I totally agree with him about his persona. A lot of us fans use wrestling terminology today and we pigeonhole wrestlers as 'face/heel" but really, the best wrestlers are themselves and if we like them, great and if we don't, hey they won't lose any sleep over it.