Bully Ray competed several times at WrestleMania but his guest referee role this year proved to be the most fun for the Hall of Famer.
The former TNA World Champion officiated the Philadelphia Street Fight that saw Bobby Lashley & The Street Profits defeat The Final Testament.
On a recent edition of the “Wise Choices” podcast, Ray recalled his time in Philadelphia, the home of the original ECW. He said,
“This was the most fun I’ve ever had at WrestleMania. Every single WrestleMania I had performed in beforehand was extremely stressful with the TLC matches, the follow-up matches, even some of the lesser to an extent matches, the Four Corners matches. Me and D-Von always put a lot of pressure on ourselves.
“We expected a certain level of performance from ourselves, plus our opponents, but this time, this was so last minute and so carefree to just go out there as a referee, and you’re a referee in a hardcore match. There’s no rules, so all I have to do is basically sit back, enjoy the chaos, and every once in a while drop down to my knees for the two count and then the three count.”
Bully Ray competed several times at WrestleMania including in the Triangle Ladder Match in 2000 and the acclaimed TLC 2 match from WrestleMania 17.
Bully Ray Reflects on Fun Guest Referee Role at WrestleMania
Former professional wrestler Bully Ray, also known as Bubba Ray Dudley, recently shared his experience as a guest referee at this year’s WrestleMania event. The Hall of Famer, who has competed multiple times at WrestleMania in the past, revealed that his role as a referee in the Philadelphia Street Fight was the most enjoyable one he has had at the prestigious event.
The Philadelphia Street Fight match featured Bobby Lashley and The Street Profits taking on The Final Testament. Bully Ray, who is a former TNA World Champion, officiated the match and witnessed the victorious team emerge.
During a recent episode of the “Wise Choices” podcast, Ray expressed his fondness for his time in Philadelphia, which holds significance as the birthplace of the original Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW). He described his experience at this year’s WrestleMania as the most fun he has ever had at the event.
Ray explained that previous WrestleMania matches he participated in, such as the intense TLC matches and Four Corners matches, were highly stressful. He and his tag team partner D-Von Dudley always placed immense pressure on themselves to deliver exceptional performances. However, as a referee in the Philadelphia Street Fight, Ray found himself in a more carefree position.
He expressed his delight at being able to simply sit back and enjoy the chaos of the hardcore match. With no rules to enforce, Ray’s main responsibilities were to occasionally drop down to his knees for the two-count and three-count pinfalls.
Bully Ray has had a storied career in professional wrestling and has competed in several memorable matches at WrestleMania. His notable appearances include the Triangle Ladder Match in 2000 and the acclaimed TLC 2 match from WrestleMania 17.
Fans of Bully Ray were thrilled to see him return to the WrestleMania stage, even in a different capacity. The former wrestler’s guest referee role added an extra layer of excitement to the Philadelphia Street Fight, and his enjoyment of the experience was evident.
As WrestleMania continues to captivate audiences with its thrilling matches and unforgettable moments, Bully Ray’s perspective as a guest referee serves as a reminder of the diverse roles and unique experiences that contribute to the event’s enduring legacy.