D-Von Dudley Then and Now
By Cornell Scott / September 8, 2024
D-Von Dudley Then
D-Von Dudley, whose real name is Devon Hughes, was born on August 1, 1972, in New Rochelle, New York.
Growing up in a devoutly religious household, Hughes was deeply influenced by his parents’ roles in the church.
His father, Preston Hughes, served as a Bishop, while his mother, Renee Washington, was a Pastor.
This strong religious background provided a solid foundation for his upbringing and shaped his values and work ethic.
Hughes attended Elwood-John Glenn High School in Elwood, New York, where he began to develop his passion for wrestling.
The disciplined environment of his high school, combined with his religious upbringing, helped him cultivate a strong sense of determination and resilience.
These qualities would later play a significant role in his successful wrestling career.
As he ventured into the world of professional wrestling, D-Von Dudley became renowned for his tag teamwork, particularly as part of the Dudley Boyz with his partner Bubba Ray Dudley.
His upbringing and education, rooted in discipline and faith, undoubtedly contributed to his enduring success and respect in the wrestling industry.
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D-Von Dudley Wrestling Career
D-Von Dudley, known in real life as Devon Hughes, made a notable debut in WWE in September 1999 alongside his tag team partner, Bubba Ray Dudley.
The duo, known as The Dudley Boyz, first appeared on an episode of Sunday Night Heat, where they faced off against Stevie Richards and The Blue Meanie.
The match marked a successful introduction to the WWE universe, with Bubba Ray securing a victory by pinning The Blue Meanie.
This debut was the beginning of a remarkable career in the WWE, where The Dudley Boyz would go on to become one of the most iconic tag teams in wrestling history.
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Before joining WWE, D-Von began his wrestling career in 1991, training under the renowned Johnny Rodz, a WWE Hall of Famer known for his role as both a wrestler and trainer.
Rodz, who also trained Bubba Ray Dudley, helped lay the foundation for D-Von’s wrestling career.
D-Von made his in-ring debut the same year and spent several years working on the independent circuit, where he garnered a reputation for his skills and dedication.
Although detailed information about his early days on the indie circuit is limited, his success there caught the attention of ECW (Extreme Championship Wrestling).
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In 1996, D-Von signed with ECW, where he began working with the Dudley Family storyline.
Initially, D-Von and Bubba Ray Dudley were rivals, but their storyline evolved into a partnership, forming The Dudley Boyz.
This tag team quickly became a cornerstone of ECW, achieving significant success by winning the ECW Tag Team Championship eight times.
Their time in ECW solidified their reputation as one of the premier tag teams in professional wrestling.
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By 1999, The Dudley Boyz’ success in ECW had drawn interest from larger promotions, and they signed with WWE. Their transition to WWE marked a new chapter in their careers.
D-Von continued to build on his tag team success, capturing numerous championships across various promotions, including WWE, ECW, and TNA Wrestling.
In WWE, The Dudley Boyz won the Tag Team Championship ten times, further cementing their legacy in the wrestling world.
However, despite their success, D-Von and Bubba Ray were released from WWE in 2005 after a six-year tenure.
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They subsequently joined TNA Wrestling, where they continued to excel both as a tag team and as singles competitors.
In TNA, D-Von won the TNA Television Championship twice, showcasing his versatility and talent.
In 2015, D-Von and Bubba Ray returned to WWE, reuniting The Dudley Boyz.
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They remained active in WWE until 2018 when they were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as a team.
Following their induction, D-Von took on non-wrestling roles within WWE, managing the WWE 24/7 Championship and contributing to the promotion in other capacities.
In January 2023, he briefly returned to TNA Wrestling before making a recent on-screen appearance in WWE during the WWE Draft, continuing his involvement in the wrestling world even beyond his in-ring career.
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D-Von Dudley Wrestling Competition
- Independent Circuit
- Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW)
- World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)
- Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA)
- Impact Wrestling
- WWE (return)
- WWE Draft (recent appearance)
D-Von Dudley Wife and Children
D-Von Dudley, known in real life as Devon Hughes, is married to Taylor Hughes.
The couple has two daughters together: Taliyah, born on August 17, 2018, and Amiyah, born on January 15, 2020.
Their growing family reflects D-Von’s commitment to his personal life and his role as a father.
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In addition to his daughters with Taylor, D-Von has four sons from a previous marriage.
His family life, both past and present, highlights his dedication to being a father and balancing his professional career with his responsibilities at home.
D-Von’s journey as a father and husband adds a personal dimension to his public persona, showcasing his ability to manage both his wrestling career and family life.
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D-Von Dudley Now
D-Von Dudley, currently 52 years old, continues to be a significant figure in the world of professional wrestling.
As of now, he is recognized not only for his achievements in the ring but also for his contributions behind the scenes.
In recent years, D-Von has transitioned to a role as a producer backstage in WWE, where he applies his extensive experience and knowledge to help shape the next generation of wrestlers and enhance the overall production of the shows.
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D-Von’s illustrious wrestling career is highlighted by his time in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) from 1995 to 1999, where he made a name for himself as one half of the iconic tag team, The Dudley Boyz.
His contributions to the tag team division were pivotal during this era, and his success in ECW led to a prominent stint in WWE.
He was part of WWE from 1999 to 2005, and then again from 2015 to 2016, where he wrestled under various personas including D-Von Dudley and Reverend D-Von.
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Throughout his career, D-Von has been celebrated for his role in The Dudley Boyz, a team renowned for their high-flying, hard-hitting style and memorable moments in professional wrestling history.
His work in major promotions like WWE, ECW, and TNA Wrestling is marked by numerous championship victories, reflecting his exceptional talent and impact on the sport.
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Even after retiring from active wrestling, D-Von Dudley’s legacy endures through his behind-the-scenes contributions and his continued influence in the wrestling world.
His career, both in and out of the ring, underscores his significant role in shaping professional wrestling over the years.
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FAQs
No, The Dudley Boyz are not real brothers. They are a fictional tag team consisting of Devon Hughes (D-Von Dudley) and Mark LoMonaco (Bubba Ray Dudley), who portrayed brothers in their wrestling personas.
The Dudley Boyz, D-Von, and Bubba Ray had successful careers in multiple promotions including WWE, ECW, and TNA.
After their initial run in WWE ended in 2005, they reunited with WWE in 2015 before leaving in 2016.
They were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2018. D-Von now works as a producer in WWE, while Bubba Ray has pursued various ventures outside wrestling.
D-Von Dudley is not actively wrestling but is not fully retired. He works behind the scenes as a producer in WWE and occasionally makes appearances.
D-Von Dudley has two daughters with his current wife, Taylor Hughes: Taliyah (born August 17, 2018) and Amiyah (born January 15, 2020). He also has four sons from a previous marriage.
As of now, D-Von Dudley works as a producer backstage in WWE, while Bubba Ray Dudley is involved in various projects outside of wrestling, including media appearances and independent wrestling events.
The Dudley Boyz’ brother, Spike Dudley (real name Matthew Hyson), is still alive.
However, their other wrestling brother, Dudley Dudley (real name Neil Dudley), is also alive. None of the primary Dudley Boyz have passed away.
Spike Dudley, who is retired from in-ring competition, has focused on various business ventures and occasional wrestling appearances.
He remains involved in the wrestling community in a non-active capacity.
While D-Von Dudley is no longer actively wrestling, he is not fully retired. He continues to work as a producer and makes occasional appearances in WWE.