WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray, also known as Bubba Ray Dudley, voiced his concerns about a Monday night RAW segment involving Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch and fellow WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Bella. The segment featured Lynch delivering a sharp line referencing Nikki Bella’s past relationship with John Cena, but Bully Ray felt the exchange left much to be desired in terms of in-ring storytelling and dialogue impact.
Bully Ray Highlights Missed Opportunity in Segment Dynamics
During his appearance on Busted Open Radio, Bully Ray said,
“What good does that do [to] Nikki? You see, can you feel my silence? Is my silence speaking volumes yet? No? What the f**k are we doing over here? I don’t mind them giving Becky Lynch that line. Just make sure Nikki can follow it up. There was no following it up. There was no rebuttal. There was no retort. There was no like, ‘Oh yeah, well check this out, sister.’ Nothing. To the point where Nikki looked uncomfortable because the reaction was so overwhelming, and Nikki had to admit, yeah, you got me, right? Just for the pop..”
He stressed the absence of a strong comeback from Nikki Bella significantly weakened the segment’s impact and left the babyface character vulnerable.
Importance of Balanced Dialogue in WWE Segments, According to Bully Ray
Continuing his critique, Bully Ray emphasized the need for balance between the heel and babyface roles in segments. He explained,
“The heel buried the babyface. It’s a hell of a line. It was very creative. Very witty. But make sure your babyface has got something too, so that when your babyface comes back with some, a zinger that’s at the very least on the same level, Becky can sell like, ‘Oh my god, I can’t believe you went there,’ then hit her with the belt.”
His points suggest that for segments to resonate effectively with the audience, both competitors must have equally compelling moments. Without a strong rebuttal, the storyline risks feeling one-sided and can diminish the viewers’ engagement with the characters’ rivalry.
The Broader Impact on WWE Storytelling and Viewer Engagement
Bully Ray’s critique of the Becky Lynch RAW segment raises questions about the crafting of women’s wrestling promos on WWE programming. When a storyline fails to provide a satisfying back-and-forth, it can undermine character development and lessen the dramatic tension essential for captivating the audience.
Going forward, WWE may consider refining such exchanges to ensure all participants receive adequate material to respond creatively, which could lead to more compelling segments and heightened viewer investment. As one of wrestling’s most respected voices, Bully Ray’s observations serve as a reminder of the importance of balance and timing in wrestling narratives.
