D-Von Dudley was ready to take the Reverend D-Von character to the next levelwith vignettes, creative input from Stephanie McMahon, and crowd heat that had fans literally putting money in his collection box. But according to D-Von, all of that was wiped out with one sudden change of heart from Vince McMahon.
On Episode 55 of Devon & The Duke, the WWE Hall of Famer broke down exactly how close the Reverend character came to becoming a top-tier gimmickand how it all collapsed out of nowhere.
D-Von says Stephanie McMahon was hands-on with the idea, giving him time to pitch layered vignettes that were inspired by the televangelist scandals of the early 2000s and Malcolm X, a movie D-Von said he watched night and day while developing the role. The plan was for him to play a crooked preacher, manipulating fans for money and power. Vince McMahon initially signed off on everything. Stephanie even had a team ready to film it. But that next phone call never came.
D-Von says he didnt find out the truth until years laterand by then, the window had closed.
What makes it sting even more is the fact that the crowdand the locker roomwere completely behind it. D-Von recalled legends like Arn Anderson, Dean Malenko, and The Undertaker showing support for the character backstage. And the fans? They were playing their part, too.
Vince McMahon ultimately shelved the gimmick and returned D-Von to the Dudley Boys tag team. The Reverend character faded into wrestling history, but not before launching the career of one Dave Batistaaka Deacon Batista, D-Vons former on-screen muscle.
Looking back, its clear D-Von still feels the sting of what could have been. A gimmick that had the crowd, the boys in the back, and even Vinceuntil he didnt.
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What do you thinkdid WWE miss the boat by killing Reverend D-Von too early? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.
