D-Von Dudley has shared details of his initial reluctance to leave ECW for WWE in 1999 despite the offer of contracts for The Dudley Boyz.
During a recent appearance on David Otunga's "The Wednesday Hang" podcast, D-Von described a phone call with Bubba Ray Dudley in which he expressed hesitation about the move.
"I got a phone call from Bubba and he said to me, he goes 'Hey listen, they're really serious about bringing us in,'" D-Von said. He told Bubba he preferred to remain a "big fish in a medium-sized pond" rather than join WWE.
D-Von noted that ECW faced severe financial difficulties at the time and might have folded without a TV deal with TNN. After the call, his then-wife confronted him on the terrace and challenged his reasons for staying.
"She goes 'You're scared, if you don't want to believe me that's fine, but if you don't take this opportunity, you're going to regret it for the rest of your life,'" D-Von recalled. He later apologized and agreed to meet Vince McMahon, joining WWE by fall 1999.
