The recent memorial service for the late Hulk Hogan brought together figures from the wrestling world. For WWE Hall of Famer D-Von Dudley, the occasion was a chance to reconcile with former TNA President Dixie Carter and to reflect on his friendship with Eric Bischoff.
D-Von had a long and successful run in TNA, but he has been open in the past about having “hard feelings” over how his first tenure with the company ended. The service for Hogan, a man who had a profound impact on both TNA and WWE, became an unexpected venue for healing and reconciliation.
Reconnecting with Dixie Carter
Speaking on the Duke Loves Rasslin podcast, D-Von revealed that he spoke with Dixie Carter at the service for the first time in years. He explained that he was finally able to let go of the negative feelings he had been holding onto regarding his past issues with the old TNA regime.
“That’s what me and Dixie were talking about. Because I hadn’t seen Dixie in years… It was kind of like a reunion. And, you know, it was what’s the word? I’m looking for the hard feelings that I might have had, or the company during that time was all washed away, you know? And again, I say it wasn’t the new regime of TNA. It was the old regime that I had problems letting go of my feelings with them. And you know, I was just happy that I was able to let that go and to be good with Dixie again. Because I really enjoyed Dixie. I really enjoyed her company… We talked, we laughed, we joked, and we said, You know, we shouldn’t. It shouldn’t be things like this that brings us together. We had more good times than we we did bad times.”
High Praise for Eric Bischoff
D-Von also took the time to praise Eric Bischoff, explaining that the Bischoff he came to know in TNA was a completely different and better person than the controversial figure many described from the WCW days. He shared a story about how Bischoff went out of his way to help his family, a kindness he has never forgotten.
“All I know is that the Eric Bischoff that I met in TNA, you know, what did that same person that some of these guys who badmouth him saw. I didn’t see that. I saw what he gave to me when I first met him… I came to the conclusion that maybe he was a different person back then, but he’s not that same Eric now. And you know, as far as I’m concerned, I have no ill feelings whatsoever towards that man, like I said before, he helped me and my family, and I’ve got nothing but respect for him… Again, we’re family, man, we’re family. That’s all I can say.”
You can hear the full interview with D-Von on the Duke Loves Rasslin podcast below:
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article, please credit Duke Loves Rasslin with an h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
