The Dudley Boyz were known to lose high-profile matches in ECW, and Bully Ray was a recent guest on the “Busted Open Radio” podcast to discuss why Paul Heyman often booked them to lose. He said,
“We would beat Dreamer and Sandman every night, but no world titles were on the line. Every time Paul put a world championship on us was for us to drop it because he knew that any babyface team that beat the Dudleys instantly became credible.”
He continued, “And this is not my words, this is Paul’s words on how he built us. Paul knew he could beat us every single night, ‘But as long as I gave Bubba the microphone the next night, everything would be fine, because he would get all the heat back.’”
The Dudley Boyz, one of the most iconic tag teams in professional wrestling history, were known for their incredible in-ring skills and captivating storylines. However, they were also notorious for losing high-profile matches during their time in Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW). Recently, Bully Ray, also known as Bubba Ray Dudley, shed some light on why their manager, Paul Heyman, often booked them to lose.
In a recent interview on the “Busted Open Radio” podcast, Bully Ray revealed that Heyman’s strategy behind booking the Dudley Boyz to lose was to elevate other teams and make them credible. He explained that while they would defeat popular teams like Tommy Dreamer and The Sandman on a regular basis, no world titles were on the line during those matches. However, whenever Heyman decided to put a world championship on the Dudley Boyz, it was with the intention of having them drop it to another team.
According to Bully Ray, Heyman believed that by having the Dudley Boyz lose the title, it instantly made the opposing team more credible. This strategy was a testament to Heyman’s understanding of wrestling psychology and his ability to create compelling storylines. He knew that the Dudley Boyz were already established as a dominant force in the tag team division, so by having them lose, it would give other teams a significant boost in reputation.
Furthermore, Bully Ray emphasized that Heyman’s faith in the Dudley Boyz was unwavering. Despite booking them to lose, Heyman always made sure to give Bubba Ray Dudley the microphone the next night. This allowed Bubba Ray to cut passionate promos and regain the heat that may have been lost due to their previous defeat. By giving Bubba Ray the opportunity to address the audience and showcase his exceptional mic skills, Heyman ensured that the Dudley Boyz remained relevant and maintained their status as one of the most despised and entertaining teams in wrestling.
Heyman’s booking decisions not only helped elevate other teams but also showcased his ability to create long-term storylines. By having the Dudley Boyz lose and then regain their heat through compelling promos, Heyman was able to keep the audience invested in their journey. This approach allowed for continuous character development and ensured that the Dudley Boyz remained a significant draw for ECW.
In conclusion, the Dudley Boyz were often booked to lose high-profile matches in ECW by their manager, Paul Heyman, with the intention of elevating other teams and making them credible. Heyman’s strategy demonstrated his understanding of wrestling psychology and his ability to create compelling storylines. By having the Dudley Boyz drop world titles and then regain their heat through passionate promos, Heyman ensured that they remained a dominant force in the tag team division while also giving other teams a chance to shine. The Dudley Boyz’ legacy as one of the greatest tag teams in wrestling history is a testament to Heyman’s booking decisions and their exceptional talent.