posted on Jun, 27 2004 @ 01:23 PM
In the 1950s and 60s, when fans tuned into WWE’s weekly TV show, few realized the enormous role James Dudley was playing behind the scenes.
Dudley had started in the wrestling trade by working for current owner, Vince McMahon's grandfather, Jess, before becoming a close confidant of
Vince's father, Vincent James McMahon known as Vince, Sr. to his associates. When Vince, Sr. asked Dudley to manager the site of WWE's broadcasts,
the Turner Arena in Washington, DC, history was made. No other African American had ever run a major arena in the United States.
In the nation's capitol, Dudley became a psuedo celebrity, exciting crowds when he ran out to the ring, waving a towel, before fellow Hall of Famer
Bobo Brazi's matches there.
WWE Hall of fame