WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray, formerly known as Bubba Ray Dudley, shared his experience of breaking into ECW during a recent episode of the Six Feet Under podcast. He recalled how Paul Heyman’s influence played a crucial role in shaping his initial ECW persona, emphasizing the intense pressure and uncertainty he faced leading up to his debut.
Ray described how he was essentially pulled into the car and brought to the ECW event without much preparation. Upon arrival, he ran into Tommy Dreamer in the parking lot and asked if there was a chance to appear on the show that night. Dreamer gave him a wary but encouraging response, promising to try getting him a spot.
“You’re going to get a shot tonight. Just, no matter whatever they tell you to do, do it to the best of your ability and don’t ask questions,”
Dreamer advised.
Waiting in the Wings and Facing Uncertainty
Despite Dreamer’s assurance, Bully Ray found himself sidelined during the show’s early matches, with no mention of his name on the lineup. As the event progressed, he approached the booker, Paul Heyman, to inquire about his role. Heyman reassured him briefly,
“Don’t worry, kid. When the time’s right, I’ll tell you what to do.”
However, the timing felt agonizingly delayed, and Ray was left guessing whether he was being tested or simply overlooked.
He approached Heyman again as the show neared its conclusion, still confused about his involvement. Heyman repeated his message with the same calm dismissal. Ray recalled,
“There’s only one more match. It’s the main event.”
The tension mounted as the final bout between Public Enemy and the Gangstas began, with Bill Alfonso in the ring and the monstrous 911 threatening to attack him.
Instructions for a Pivotal Role Given at the Last Moment
Shortly before his entrance, Heyman pulled Ray aside and explained his role as Bill Alfonso’s bodyguard. When 911 tried to choke slam Alfonso, Bully Ray was to intervene and take the hit himself.
“Okay kid, you’re Bill Alfonso’s bodyguard, 911 has been trying to choke slam Bill Alfonso. When 911 gets to Bill, you get in front of him. He’s going to chokeslam you. Go get him, kid,”
Heyman instructed.
Onstage, Ray felt overwhelmed and unsure of what to do, describing himself as “a deer in the headlights.” When the critical moment arrived, he stepped in front of the attack as directed and endured the chokeslam from 911, who weighed 402 pounds. Ray compared the height of the chokeslam to the impressive moves of Rey Mysterio, highlighting the physical challenge of the stunt.
The Turning Point: Being Asked to Shave His Head
After the match, Paul Heyman praised his effort and presented a new challenge: shaving his head. At the time, Ray was sporting a distinctive mullet, which he described as resembling a mix between Man Mountain Rock and Brian Knobs. Heyman asked,
“How do you feel about shaving your head?”
Initially terrified, Bully Ray admitted he had two main fears in wrestling – shaving his head and being called “Bubba,” a name often given to larger wrestlers. Despite his hesitation, Heyman reassured him,
“Don’t worry kid, if you don’t want to do it we can always find something else for you.”
This marked one of Ray’s first moments recognizing that opportunity in wrestling comes unexpectedly and requires immediate action.
Shedding the Hair and Embracing a New Identity
The following day, on the stoop of a friend’s house on 12th Avenue in Belmar, New Jersey, Bully Ray had his head shaved, solidifying the new look that would become iconic in ECW. This physical transformation was a visible symbol of the shift in his wrestling career initiated by Heyman’s push.
Choosing the Name that Would Define His Career
A couple of weeks later, in the early hours of the morning during a promo class, the question of what to call him arose. Although the Dudley surname was already decided, they hadn’t settled on his first name. Suggestions bounced around, including “Billy Joe,” “Bobby Sue,” and “Jim Bob,” before someone finally said, “He looks like a Bubba.” Worried that Paul Heyman might overhear, Ray was surprised when Heyman agreed:
“You do look like a Bubba. You look like a Bubba — Bubba Ray! That’s it, Bubba Ray Dudley.”
The Legacy of Paul Heyman’s Impact on Bully Ray’s Career
Paul Heyman’s careful guidance and timely decisions helped shape Bully Ray’s early wrestling persona in ECW. From orchestrating the dangerous debut to encouraging a bold new look and finalizing his ring name, Heyman’s influence was pivotal in setting Ray on the path to prominence. This story highlights how the wrestling industry demands quick decisions and the courage to embrace change under intense pressure.
Bully Ray’s account underscores the unpredictable and sometimes intimidating nature of breaking into professional wrestling. His journey from uncertainty in the parking lot to becoming an unforgettable character involved seizing opportunities as they arrived, even when they pushed him out of his comfort zone. This moment in ECW remains a defining chapter in his career, illustrating Paul Heyman’s eye for talent and willingness to take risks with emerging stars.
