TNA answered its critics and surprised the cynics last night with a well-received pay-per-view (PPV) event, Slammiversary, from Arlington, Texas.
While not strictly match-related, a late addition to the festivities was the announcement of the third member of the TNA Hall of Fame. Kurt Angle announced the name, or names as it turns out, of who would join he and Sting as members of the company's fledging Hall.
This triggered more than a few LOLTNA jokes about Mike Tenay, and sarcastic comments about the deserving names that have recently parted ways with the company (including several from this writer). But we were overlooking a deserving pro wrestling legend in the Bubba/Bully Ray and Devon tag team, known during their time on Impact Wrestling as Team 3D.
Since debuting with ECW in the mid-90s as Buh Buh Ray and D-Von Dudley, the pair then known as The Dudley Boyz would be mainstays of that Philadelphia-based promotion and WWE for years. Their time in those companies featured feuds against the likes of Tommy Dreamer & The Sandman, Rob Van Dam & Sabu and the all-time great three way title feud with The Hardy Boyz and Edge & Christian that gave birth to the TLC match.
In 2005, WWE chose to not offer them a new contract, and the pair moved to Florida and joined TNA - then in only its third year of existence and just before it would start a new national television contract with Spike TV. They were staples of the tag team division in the company until Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff took over the book in 2009 and split them up. Over the next several years, they would reunite and break up, Ray would re-package himself as the villainous Bully Ray and Devon would leave the company twice (once for a surprise return as part of the Aces & Eights faction that Bully would eventually be revealed as the leader of, once for real - and, to date, for good).
TNA credits them as 23 time world tag team champions, making them the most decorated pair in pro wrestling history. They are the only men to hold tag gold from WWE, WWF, ECW, WCW, NWA, TNA, and IWGP.
Given the consolidation of major pro wrestling and the lack of emphasis on long-term tag team gimmicks, it seems likely that those records will hold. For those reasons, the legitimacy they brought to TNA and their commitment to the company, they're deserving entrants for TNA's highest honor.
Check out the slick video package the company put together to announce their induction. Below is TNA's press release:
ARLINGTON, Texas (June 15, 2014) --- During Slammiversary XII live from Arlington, Texas, Olympic Gold Medalist and TNA Hall of Famer Kurt Angle announced the next inductees into the TNA Hall of Fame will be Team 3D, Bully Ray and Devon.
Team 3D is one of the most decorated tag teams in professional wrestling history having won more than 20 tag team championships across various promotions, including twice winning the TNA World Tag Team Championship. In 2005 Team 3D was named TNA Tag Team of the Year and in 2013 were named TNA Tag Team of Tag Teams.
Having made their TNA debut in 2005, Bully Ray and Devon are known for their no-nonsense hardcore, taking care of business inside and outside of the ring, which often ends in putting their opponents through a table.
Team 3D becomes the third inductee into the TNA Hall of Fame, following the inaugural induction of "The Icon" Sting in 2012 and Olympic Gold Medalist Kurt Angle earlier this year.
A special induction ceremony for Team 3D will take place later this year.
What do you think of Team 3D as Hall of Famers, Cagesiders?