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WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray (fka Bubba Ray Dudley) recently reflected on a major retirement in AEW. The retirement took place at Dynamite: Grand Slam 2024.
Last Wednesday, HOOK successfully defended his FTW Championship by defeating Roderick Strong. After his win, The Cold-Hearted Handsome Devil announced the retirement of the FTW Title and handed it over to his dad, Taz, who originally introduced the gold in ECW. The Human Suplex Machine reinstated the championship in AEW nearly four years ago.
The former Bubba Ray Dudley admitted that he was happy with the FTW Title finally being retired as it "came full circle." On Busted Open After Dark, the Hall of Famer said the following about the development:
"I like how that story of that championship came full circle. I love it when you can connect the dots in pro wrestling, and everything made [sic] sense. If you're going to retire that championship, Queens is the place to do it, and I'm happy that the FTW Championship has been retired. I don't think the FTW Championship has a place in professional wrestling, unless it's on Taz's shoulder, that's where it belongs." [H/T: WrestlingInc.]
Bully Ray on AEW bringing back the FTW Championship
The FTW Championship was first introduced by Taz in 1998 during his time in ECW. AEW re-introduced the title in 2020, and multiple prominent stars such as Ricky Starks, Brian Cage, Jack Perry, HOOK, and Chris Jericho have held it since then.
After the FTW Title's retirement, Bully Ray shared his thoughts on All Elite Wrestling bringing it back in 2020 and its significance. On Busted Open After Dark, Ray said:
"I understand why they brought it back, I understand what they attempted to do with it, I understand the significance of HOOK, I like the fact that HOOK retired it, but that's Taz's championship and it was created for a very rebellious reason." [H/T: WrestlingInc.]
Only time will tell what the future has in store for HOOK after he retired the FTW Title at Grand Slam.
Are you happy with the FTW Title being retired? Sound off using the discuss button.
