Bubba Ray Dudley Then and Now
By Cornell Scott / September 8, 2024
Bubba Ray Dudley Then
Mark LoMonaco, widely recognized by his ring name Bubba Ray Dudley, was born on July 14, 1971, in the Queens borough of New York City.
Growing up in Queens, he was immersed in the vibrant culture of one of New York City’s most diverse neighborhoods.
During his formative years, he moved to Dix Hills, a suburban area in Long Island, where he continued to develop his athletic skills and interests.
In Dix Hills, LoMonaco attended Half Hollow Hills East High School, where he was an active member of both the track and football teams.
His involvement in these sports highlighted his dedication and physical prowess, laying a foundation for his future career in professional wrestling.
His experiences on the track and football field not only honed his athletic abilities but also instilled a sense of discipline and teamwork that would later become essential in his wrestling career.
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Bubba Ray Dudley Wrestling Career
Bubba Ray Dudley, born Mark LoMonaco, began his wrestling career with a tryout for Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) in September 1995.
Initially appearing as Mongo, the bodyguard of Bill Alfonso, he quickly made a strong impression on ECW owner Paul Heyman.
After taking a chokeslam from wrestler 911, LoMonaco was hired and transformed into the character of Buh Buh Ray Dudley.
The character was a comically stuttering, dancing, and overweight member of the fictional Dudley family.
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The misspelling of “Bubba” was a nod to his stutter, and his unique persona quickly became a fan favorite, with crowds cheering and chanting “Buh Buh Buh Buh” during his matches.
Buh Buh Ray Dudley, alongside his “kayfabe” half-brother D-Von Dudley, formed a dominant tag team known as the Dudley Boyz.
They gained notoriety in ECW for their high-impact style and controversial antics.
The team won the ECW World Tag Team Championship a record eight times, defeating major tag teams such as The Public Enemy, The Eliminators, The Gangstas, and Sabu & Rob Van Dam.
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Their intense and provocative interviews, often involving provocative actions and statements, fueled their popularity and made them a central part of ECW’s success.
In 1999, the Dudley Boyz made a significant move to the World Wrestling Federation (WWF), where the “Buh Buh” spelling was dropped.
In the WWF, Bubba Ray Dudley and D-Von engaged in a high-profile feud for the WWF Tag Team Championship with The Hardy Boyz and Edge & Christian.
Their matches were notable for incorporating Tables, Ladders, and Chairs (TLC), and they competed in three acclaimed TLC matches at WrestleMania 2000, SummerSlam 2000, and WrestleMania X-Seven.
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Despite initially being heels, Dudley Boyz’ actions, including putting women through tables, eventually led them to become fan favorites.
Their involvement in the WWF saw them becoming one of the most prominent tag teams, further solidified by their unification of the WWF and WCW Tag Team Championships in 2001.
After the dissolution of The Alliance, the Dudley Boyz continued to thrive in WWE, winning the WWE Tag Team Championship once more before the company was rebranded as World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) in 2002.
They remained a significant presence in WWE, continuing their legacy as a top tag team.
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In 2005, Bubba Ray Dudley returned to professional wrestling with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA).
During his tenure, he became known as Bully Ray and engaged in various storylines, including a notable feud with the villainous Aces & Eights stable.
His time in TNA also featured a memorable run as a face character and culminated in significant feuds, including a notable rivalry with Dixie Carter and her faction.
His involvement with TNA included a stint in the TNA Hall of Fame and an appearance in Tommy Dreamer’s House of Hardcore promotion.
Bubba Ray Dudley made a surprise return to WWE at the 2015 Royal Rumble, reviving his Bubba Ray Dudley persona.
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He and D-Von Dudley reunited in WWE, rekindling their tag team success.
Their return was marked by nostalgia and renewed energy, leading to further successful runs in various wrestling promotions, including a notable appearance at Insane Championship Wrestling’s Fear and Loathing IX and House of Hardcore events.
His career has been characterized by his ability to adapt and thrive in various wrestling environments, making him a celebrated and enduring figure in professional wrestling.
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Bubba Ray Dudley Wrestling Competition
- Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW)
- World Wrestling Federation/Entertainment (WWF/WWE)
- Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA)
- Insane Championship Wrestling (ICW)
- House of Hardcore (HoH)
- WhatCulture Pro Wrestling (WCPW)
Bubba Ray Dudley Now
As of now, Bubba Ray Dudley, also known by his real name Mark LoMonaco and his wrestling alias Bully Ray, is 53 years old and continues to have a notable presence in the professional wrestling world.
After an illustrious career marked by significant achievements in various wrestling promotions, Dudley has focused on a combination of independent appearances and roles in established wrestling organizations.
Dudley, who was a two-time TNA World Heavyweight Champion, was inducted into the TNA Hall of Fame in 2014, acknowledging his contributions and success in the company.
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His accomplishments were further recognized with his induction into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2018, celebrating his impact and legacy within the world of professional wrestling.
These honors reflect his influential role in shaping the tag team and singles wrestling scenes.
Following his time with WWE, where he and his tag team partner D-Von Dudley—known collectively as The Dudley Boyz—had a celebrated run, Bubba Ray Dudley transitioned to a period of independent circuit appearances.
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During this time, he revived his Bully Ray persona, which he used effectively in Ring of Honor (ROH) and TNA, continuing to captivate audiences with his compelling character work and in-ring skills.
On the other hand, D-Von Dudley returned to WWE, where he took on a behind-the-scenes role as a producer.
He contributed to the development of new talent and the overall production of wrestling events until January 2023.
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Despite their individual paths, the legacy of The Dudley Boyz remains a significant part of wrestling history.
In summary, while Bubba Ray Dudley and D-Von Dudley have pursued separate career paths in recent years, both have continued to contribute to the wrestling industry in meaningful ways.
Bubba Ray Dudley has remained active on the independent scene and in other promotions, maintaining his prominence in the wrestling world, while D-Von has focused on his role within WWE’s production team.
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Bubba Ray Dudley’s Net Worth
Bubba Ray Dudley, an American professional wrestler and radio talk show host, has accumulated a net worth of $3 million, reflecting his successful career in wrestling and his ventures into radio broadcasting.
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FAQs
Bubba Ray Dudley, known as Bully Ray, is still active in wrestling, primarily appearing on the independent circuit and participating in promotions like Ring of Honor (ROH) and Impact Wrestling (formerly TNA).
No, the Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray Dudley and D-Von Dudley) are not actual brothers; they are professional wrestling characters who portray half-brothers as part of the Dudley family storyline.
No, Velvet Sky is not married to Bubba Ray Dudley. She was previously in a relationship with him while they were both in TNA, but they are not currently together.
As of now, Bubba Ray Dudley (Bully Ray) is active on the independent wrestling circuit and in ROH and Impact Wrestling. D-Von Dudley has been working as a producer in WWE until January 2023 and is not currently active in the ring.
The Dudley Boyz achieved significant success in wrestling, including multiple championships in ECW, WWE, and TNA.
After their successful runs, they pursued separate paths: Bubba Ray continued as Bully Ray in various promotions, while D-Von worked behind the scenes in WWE.