There is no other duo that defines tag team wrestling in ECW more than The Dudley Boyz. Bubba Ray and D-Von started off as a comedy act but quickly carved a path of destruction like no other team. They were instant heat magnets, and that was only amplified when they were the ECW Tag Team Champions. Their first tag team title win over the Eliminators made them a serious act in ECW and they were able to build on that momentum and become the companys definitive tag team. The Dudleys were so over and had so much heat as champions, that when they lost the belts for the third time, they transitioned into a feud with the companys top babyfaces: Sandman and Tommy Dreamer. The Dudleys had a unique way of bending the rules in a promotion with few restrictions. Two of their tag team title reigns were the result of handicap matches when John Kronus and Rob Van Dam were contractually obligated to defend the belts without partners when Perry Saturn was injured and Sabu couldnt enter the United States. The natives of Dudleyville found themselves in a violent feud near the end of their ECW run. Spike Dudley and Balls Mahoney beat the Dudleys for the titles at Heatwave 1999, but both men were powerbombed through a flaming table for their troubles. On the second episode of ECWs national television show on TNN, The Dudley Boyz beat Spike and Balls Mahoney for their eighth and final tag team championship. This was also their last night in the company as they were heading to WWE and apparently with the tag team titles, however, the impromptu tag team of Tommy Dreamer and Raven prevented the Dudleys from taking the belts to McMahon Land. This was a fitting finale to Bubba Ray and Devons time in ECW as they were the tag team champions while doing what they do best: being ultra-heels until the very end.
Atlee Greene is a freelance writer for various sites, including ForcesOfGeek.com, Gerweck.net, CamelClutchBlog.com, and WhatCulture.com. He is also a former independent professional wrestler and promotes shows in the Massachusetts area.