Bubba Ray Dudley

Bubba Ray Dudley is an American professional wrestler who has signed up for WWE as a member of Dudley Boyz. His real name is Mark LoMonaco and is best known for his hardcore wrestling working with promotions such as ECW, TNA, ROH, and, of course, WWE. He came to prominence working with ECW and is one-half of the Dudley Boyz, one of the most successful and most decorated tag teams in pro wrestling history. He is also known by the name Bully Ray.

Early Life

The real name of Bubba Ray Dudley is Mark LoMonaco. He was born on July 14, 1971, in Queens, New York City, USA. He was raised there before moving to Dix Hills in New York during his youth years where he graduated from the Half Hollow Hills East High School. Dudley was an active athlete there and was a member of the school’s track and football teams. Soon afterward, he began professional training for the squared circle.

Bubba Ray Dudley Pro-Wrestling Career

Training and Early Years (1991 - 1995)

Dudley trained under Johnny Rodz and made his debut in 1991 under the ring name Mongo Vyle. His first character was a biker from Hell's Kitchen which drew inspiration from The Nasty Boys, The Road Warriors, and Maxx Payne. Rodz would go on to wrestle on for promotions such as IWA, MEWF, IWCCW, and Coast to Coast Wrestling in the next few years.

ECW (1995 - 1999)

LoMonaco joined ECW in 1995 as Mongo, Bill Alfonso's bodyguard. He was later recast as Buh Buh Ray Dudley, a stuttering, dancing, overweight hillbilly. Teaming up with D-Von Dudley, they formed the Dudley Boyz, a dominant tag team in ECW known for their chaotic matches and offensive promos. They dominated the ECW tag team division, winning the ECW World Tag Team Championship eight times

WWE (1999 - 2005)

The Dudley Boyz left ECW in 1999 and joined the WWF, where they engaged in a legendary feud with The Hardy Boyz and Edge & Christian, culminating in three iconic Tables, Ladders, and Chairs matches. Initially heels, they were soon cheered by the crowd and turned face. In 2001, they joined The Alliance, a group of WCW and ECW wrestlers attempting to take over the WWF. After the Alliance's defeat, the Dudley Boyz remained in the WWF, having unified the WWF and WCW Tag Team Championships.

Following the brand split in 2002, the Dudley Boyz were separated. Bubba Ray continued on Raw while D-Von moved to SmackDown!. They reunited later that year and continued their tag team dominance, holding the World Tag Team Championship multiple times. In 2004, they were traded to SmackDown! and turned heel, feuding with various wrestlers. They reunited with Spike Dudley but eventually left WWE in 2005 due to contract disputes and legal issues over the "Dudley" name.

TNA (2005 - 2015)

Debut in TNA and forming Team 3D

After leaving WWE, LoMonaco and Hughes adopted the ring names Brother Ray and Brother Devon, respectively, and formed Team 3D. They debuted in TNA in 2005 and quickly became top contenders for the NWA World Tag Team Championship, feuding with teams like America's Most Wanted and LAX. They eventually won the titles in a thrilling match at Lockdown 2006.

Tag Title Reigns

After TNA severed ties with the NWA, Team 3D became TNA World Tag Team Champions. They feuded with various teams like Motor City Machine Guns and Christian Cage & Rhino. They also aligned with Kurt Angle before turning on him. Team 3D continued to be a dominant force in the tag team division, winning multiple championships, including the TNA World Tag Team Championship and the IWGP Tag Team Championship.

Team 3D continued their dominant run, winning the IWGP Tag Team Championship. However, they turned heel and aligned with Rhino and Jesse Neal. This led to a feud with younger talents like Hernandez, Morgan, Dinero, and Suicide. At Wrestle Kingdom IV, they lost the IWGP Tag Team Championship. With the new regime under Hogan and Bischoff, Team 3D turned face and feuded with The Nasty Boys.

Team 3D fall apart

Team 3D's internal strife led to a dramatic turn of events. Ray turned heel and attacked Neal, causing a split in the team. However, Devon eventually sided with ECW alumni like Tommy Dreamer and Mick Foley. Team 3D had a final reunion and participated in a farewell match at Hardcore Justice. They then signed new contracts with TNA and had a final match against the Motor City Machine Guns at Turning Point.

Immortal

Following Team 3D's retirement, Ray turned heel, reigniting his feud with Devon. He renamed himself Bully Ray and engaged in a brutal rivalry with Devon and his sons. After aligning with Immortal, Ray feuded with A.J. Styles and other Fortune members. He then challenged for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship but was unsuccessful. He also had notable feuds with Mr. Anderson, Bobby Roode, and Austin Aries. Later, he became involved in a storyline with Abyss and his supposed brother Joseph Park.

Aces & Eights

Following a face turn in August 2012, Ray united with the TNA locker room to fight against the villainous Aces & Eights. He extended his contract with TNA and continued his successful run in the Bound for Glory Series. Despite facing setbacks, Ray secured a title shot against Austin Aries and even teamed up with Sting to face the Aces & Eights at Bound for Glory. However, the shocking revelation of Devon as an Aces & Eights member led to a climactic confrontation between the former tag team partners.

Following a brief alliance with Hulk Hogan, Ray's true colors were revealed as he joined the Aces & Eights, becoming their leader. He captured the TNA World Heavyweight Championship twice during this period, engaging in high-profile feuds with Sting, Jeff Hardy, and Mr. Anderson. However, internal tensions within the Aces & Eights eventually led to its downfall, and Ray's reign as champion came to an end. The conclusion of his feud with Mr. Anderson marked a significant chapter in his TNA career.

Indies (2013 - 2015, 2016 -2017)

Bully Ray and Devon have continued their wrestling careers post-TNA, primarily in independent promotions like House of Hardcore. They reignited their legendary tag team, Team 3D, and were involved in high-profile matches and feuds, including with Tommy Dreamer, Matt Hardy, and other notable wrestlers. They even captured championships in various promotions.

WWE Second Stint (2015 - 2018)

Following their successful return to WWE in 2015, the Dudley Boyz, consisting of Bubba Ray Dudley (Bully Ray) and D-Von Dudley, quickly reestablished themselves as a dominant force in the tag team division. They engaged in high-profile feuds with teams like The New Day and The Ascension, delivering memorable moments and hardcore matches. While they didn't capture the WWE Tag Team Championship, their impact on the WWE roster and their ability to connect with the audience was undeniable.

The Dudley Boyz's WWE return continued with a series of high-profile feuds and matches. They transitioned from face to heel and back again. Their induction into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2018 cemented their well-deserved place in wrestling history.

ROH (2017 - 2020)

Bully Ray continued his wrestling career in Ring of Honor, forming an alliance with The Briscoes and winning the ROH World Six-Man Tag Team Championship. However, his tenure with the company ended with a shocking heel turn and a brief retirement. After a short hiatus, he returned to ROH, once again aligning himself with the villainous side.

NWA and return to TNA (2022 - 2024)

Since 2022, Bully Ray has wrestled for NWA, where he engaged in high-profile feuds with the likes of Mike Knox, VSK, and Matt Cardona. He also returned to Impact Wrestling in 2022, where he feuded with top stars like Josh Alexander and Tommy Dreamer. A highlight of his recent career was the reunion of Team 3D with his brother Devon, bringing nostalgia and excitement to fans. While his in-ring career continues, he has also taken on backstage roles and has been involved in various projects outside of wrestling.

WWE Third Stint (2024 - Present)

At WrestleMania XL, Karrion Kross’ Final Testament took on Bobby Lashley’s The Pride in a Philadelphia Street Fight, and Dudley made his WWE return to act as the referee for this match. On October 27, Dudley co-hosted the NXT Halloween Havoc countdown show, where he was interrupted twice by Ridge Holland, who was set for an Ambulance match. Later, after NXT Champion Trick Williams successfully defended his title, Holland attacked him, prompting Dudley to intervene. The following week on NXT, Dudley initially declined Williams' offer to team up against Holland and Ethan Page for NXT 2300 but changed his mind after Williams saved him from an attack, ultimately accepting the partnership.

Bubba Ray Dudley Net Worth 2024

Bubba Ray Dudley is estimated to be worth around $3 Million as of 2024, as per Celebrity net worth. His net worth can be credited mostly to his wrestling performances throughout the years in some of the most notable pro-wrestling companies in the world.

Bubba Ray Dudley’s Girlfriend

Bubba Ray Dudley is reportedly not dating as of 2024. From 1999 to 2013, he was involved in a relationship with Fawnfeather "Fawn" Carr, who was an esthetician, which is the practice of cosmetology or the study and application of beauty treatment. From May 2016 to November 2021, Dudley was dating Jamie Szantyr, a fellow TNA wrestler whom fans better know by the name Velvet Sky.

Bubba Ray Dudley Championships