Dudley Boyz: We’re No Carnival Act

By Donny Liable

Sure, the Dudley Boys-Buh Buh Ray and D-Von-dominated the whole tag team show in Extreme Championship Wrestling. So what! It’s the here and now that counts to their current employer-the World Wrestling Federation. Do the Boyz have the right stuff to lead the WWF Tag Team Division?

One thing they can count on: The competition will only get tougher as they attempt to prove that they are one of the best in tag play. It’s a whole new and some-what dicey experience for the Dudleys. Leaving the security of ECW where, for the better part of four years, they were big fish in a relatively small promotional pond surely must still have rippling effects on Buh Buh Ray and D-Von after months on tour with the media savvy, promotionally powerful WWF.

It’s going to take time for the newest team welcomed by the Federation to feel like family. Claiming the ECW Tag Team Championship as many times as the Dudleys have, their first reign commencing in March 1997, shouldn’t be mistaken as a sign that such achievements are easy or routine. butting heads literally and figuratively with such a diverse range of skilled tag teams-like the Eliminators, Sabu and Rob Van Dam, the Gangstas and a host of others-unquestionably toughened up the Dudleys and prepared them for the next stage in their careers.

Political posturing and growth from their early days-when, as relatively untested rookies, they were pushed as polished veterans-has thought Buh Buh Ray and D-Von a thing or two about succeeding on an often unfriendly field of play. Now they’ve got an invitation for a fresh start. No doubt with the blessing of ECW’s grand leader Paul Hayman, the Dudleys moved on after not only rising to the top of the promotion, but before they became burned out.

However, climbing to the top of the tag team jungle gym in Vince McMahon’s playground is not as cut and dry. Tag belts would be nice to see around the Dudleys’ waists, but they shouldn’t be a pressure lock that dictates whether or not they are “over” or otherwise a hit with the WWF audience or the front office personnel. They belts change hands so rapidly in today’s market that they serve well for photo opportunities but are little more than bothersome trinkets to cart around from match to match.

After lumbering through challenging times in ECW and often not full escaping the shadows of other teams clamoring for the spotlight-such as the FBI or Balls Mahoney and Axl Rotten-Buh Buh Ray and D-Von struggled for respect and individuality. An in ECW paying dues translated into having chairs repeatedly crushed over their heads and being tossed through tables and other furniture at ringside. Perhaps in signing with the WWF-where Jim Ross, on-air TV commentator and chief behind -the-scenes talent coordinator for the McMahon empire, remains a major believer in the Dudley's future-the Dudleys avoided serious and possibly long-lasting physical injuries.

By nature, pro wrestling is physically taxing, and the days of head-locks and bear hugs captivating audiences remain in promotional archives. However, the WWF’s style of shorter matches, emphasis on interview time and desire to remain “marketing friendly” has to be a welcome change for the Boyz.

Bleeding buckets during the overwhelming majority of the team’s three-match weekly ECW booking schedule combined with the chair shots and the brawls through arenas had to have played a major factor when the Dudleys contemplated a change in their employment address. But the Federation hasn’t yet shown any signs that they plan on changing much about the Dudleys’ packaging. The lenses-free prop glasses remain a part of Buh Buh Ray and D-Von’s fighting arsenal as are their bib over alls and tie-dye t-shirts.

All past Dudley brothers-from Spike to Big Dick to Dancing with Dudleys-are no longer in the picture. Sign Guy Dudley, Joel Gertner and Spike Dudley remain home with ECW. In regards to Sign Guy-or as the Dudleys’ whipping boy personal ring announcer, Joel Gertner, labeled him, the “silence behind the violence”-It was WWF management who passed on offering him a contract that would have kept the trio together.

In entering their new work environment opposite such McMahon-made superstars as “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Road Dogg, Mr. Ass, the Undertaker and the Rock, the Dudleys have thus far made a smooth transition. Familiar faces in the dressing rooms played a major factor in the Boyz’ acceptance. Fellow ECW alumni Stevie Richards, the Blue Meanie and Al Snow all offered hints on adjusting to the new and more taxing travel requirements as well as the demands made upon them by the Federation machine. The WWF expects the Dudleys to be ambassadors to the wrestling public and sponsors of the numerous charities supported by the company as well as the monthly pay-per-view cablecasts.

In the fall, Taz also make the move from ECW to WWF. Taz was a major influence on Buh Buh Ray, who has since reverted back to his early ECW stuttering gimmick no doubt with the Federation’s encouragement. Mankind-who, in his formative ring years as Cactus Jack, had several career highlights in ECW-was another welcoming acquaintance in the WWF who helped the Dudleys overcome any bouts of promotional homesickness.

The Dudleys understand the sex and violence theme projected by the WWF. It is the style that made them the wrestlers they are today. In ECW, they excelled in presenting an adult-oriented product under Hayman’s leadership. Buh Buh Ray and D-Von credit their exposure to all of the wrestling styles they experienced while growing up on ECW turf for their readiness to be booked opposite the high-flying Hardy Boyz, heart throbs Edge and Christian, and Headbangers Chaz and Glen Ruth And as far as finishing move go, the Dudleys’ 3-D ranks right up at the top of the list of audience thrillers with Austin’s Stone Cold Stunner and the Rock’s People’s Elbow.

However, the Dudleys will have to clear two very important hurdles before becoming fully integrated into the WWF. First, they have to convince their fans-old and new-that they are more than ECW soldiers. Second, they have to overcome the desire to be the show-stoppers of the WWF right off the bat.

The egos and talents of the other WWF wrestlers, who are each battling to rise to the top of the card and stay there, are just a few of the dilemmas with which the Dudleys will have to deal. Still, the Boyz must constantly look at the bigger picture-their future. And the duo must never forget the obvious-they area tag team, period! And a damn fine one at that. Forget singles competition under any and every circumstance. By being patient and listening to those with more experience in the WWF, the Dudleys may just cross the bridge to lavish longevity in a financially rewarding occupation.