The WWE Legends roster just got a little bit larger.
WWE Hall of Famer and ECW legend Bubba Ray Dudley has confirmed at a virtual signing with Signed By Superstars that he is locked into a Legends contract, putting him alongside greats like Hulk Hogan, Goldberg, and the Undertaker.
Other recent additions to WWE Legends include Rob Van Dam, Hornswoggle, Mick Foley, and, surprisingly, Jesse Ventura, a longtime vocal critic of the company.
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A WWE Legends contract is generally not exclusive, though it often includes specific exclusivity clauses regarding certain aspects, such as merchandise. These details are typically outlined in the finer points of the contract.
As the name suggests, this type of contract is typically offered to well-known, successful WWE Superstars who are considered “legends” within the company, but often are past their prime years for in-ring matches.
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Under a Legends contract, the individual usually receives an upfront payment that covers royalties from things like video game appearances and merchandise sales. WWE also obtains the rights to use their likeness on products such as t-shirts and other merchandise.
Additionally, the contract includes a minimum payment per appearance, which applies to guest appearances on shows like Raw or SmackDown and brief TV storylines.
Dudley is arguably best known for his early 2000s stint in WWE as part of the tag team The Dudley Boyz alongside his real-life brother, D-Von Dudley. The Dudley Boyz were famous for their extreme, high-impact style, which was heavily influenced by the hardcore wrestling culture of ECW, where they had first come to notoriety.
In addition to helping define the “Attitude” era of WWE, Dudley made a major impact in ECW and TNA. The Dudley Boyz won the ECW World Tag Team Championship multiple times, engaging in heated rivalries with top stars like The Sandman and Tommy Dreamer. Bubba Ray’s charisma and larger-than-life personality made him a standout figure in the company.
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When ECW closed, Bubba Ray moved to TNA, where he reinvented himself as Bully Ray, a ruthless, arrogant heel.
As a singles competitor, he won the TNA World Heavyweight Championship in 2013, solidifying his place as a top star. Bully Ray also led the faction Aces & Eights, a pivotal storyline for TNA. His work in TNA earned him a Hall of Fame induction in 2014 alongside D-Von.
The Dudley Boyz were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2018, cementing their legacy as one of the greatest tag teams in history. Now, it seems that the company has gone even further and officially granted Bubba Ray Legend status.
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