D-Von Dudley is ready to hit another 3D at IMPACT 1000.
IMPACT Wrestling Hall of Famers Team 3D recently sat down with Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated. When asked about returning to the ring for the first time since 2016, D-Von spoke about how he believed the stroke he suffered in 2019 and having back surgery the following year initially ended his in-ring career.
“It’s no secret I had the stroke in 2019, which was stress-related,” D-Von Dudley said. “Working behind the scenes for WWE at the time as a backstage producer was very stressful. A year later, when I had back surgery, I thought I was done. But I had a great trainer, and I kept getting stronger. Then I thought, ‘Let me get in the ring and try it again.’
“At first, I was a little off. But then I started doing it on a regular basis. I thought, ‘What if I do something with Bubba? Or something with my sons, who wrestle on the independent scene?’ The more I did it, the better I moved. At my wrestling school, I started getting into the ring with my students. Then I got the call from Bubba about doing the thousandth episode of Impact! He asked if I could get into ring shape, and I said, ‘Hell yeah.’ I’ve been working so hard to prove I haven’t lost a step. I’m ready for another 3D.”
Team 3D ruled over IMPACT, WWE, and ECW throughout their illustrious career
While many people remember The Dudley’s work in WWE and ECW, D-Von quickly pointed out that they spent more time in IMPACT than they did in WWE.
“We had a better run in TNA than we did in WWE,” D-Von Dudley said. “But that’s our story–we’ve always been able to create something special. Look back, and you’ll remember that the Dudley gimmick was not meant to be serious. It was masterminded by Raven, and Taz put his two cents into it, but it was meant to be a joke. At first, we were just happy to be part of it. But Paul Heyman believed in us, and we decided to take the tag team to the next level.”
In closing, D-Von believes IMPACT 1000 is going to be incredible, and he’s grateful to God and the fans for lifting him up.
“Now we get to go back out there, the two of us, and return to Impact,” D-Von Dudley said. “Can you believe that? This Saturday is going to be incredible. The fans have no idea how inspirational they are to me. During my rough days, they were always there for me. I’m grateful for God, who brought me here, and I am grateful to the fans for lifting me up.”
READ MORE: D-Von Dudley Recalls A WWE Office Member Not Liking Him Because He’s Black
What do you make of D-Von Dudley’s comments? Are you looking forward to seeing him return to the ring at IMPACT 1000? Let us know your thoughts by sounding off in the comments section below.
