WWE Hall of Famer Brian “Road Dogg” James was given a hard no by former Degeneration-X team mate Triple H over his plans for Dexter Lumis.
James shared that whilst working as a producer, he wanted to create a backstory for Lumis, claiming he was from Skinwalker Ranch, but current WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H rejected it instantly and instead Lumis went on to be billed form Recluse, Wyoming.
The pair were working together on NXT at the time, looking to build a background for newly signed Florida born Lumis.
Triple H said, he’s from somewhere else
Speaking on the Oh You Didnt Know Podcast, James explained the influence behind the idea and how this could potentially lead to the use of Lumis:
“I wanted him to be from Skinwalker Ranch. There’s a show called Skinwalker Ranch and there’s a place called Skinwalker Ranch, and the truth about Skinwalker Ranch is that there’s a bunch of paranormal activity that happens out there, or [at least] it’s reported. A lot of UFO sightings, a lot of cow mutilations, a lot of stuff. The show had just come on and I had just started watching it. I was like ‘Oh man, show is cool.’ …[Hunter] just buried it straight away and [now] he’s from somewhere [else].”
James faced his own origin challenges as The Roadie in WWE, working alongside Jeff Jarrett, but shot to success as part of the tag team, the New Age Outlaws. The night after Wrestlemania XIV, they joined DX and went on to be inducted in the Hall of Fame class of 2019.
Signing with WWE in 2019, Lumis became a fan favourite in NXT, first appearing under his real name Samuel Shaw, before being renamed as Dexter Lumis.
Following a romance storyline with Indi Hartwell, Lumis’ popularity grew, with weekly interactions alongside Johnny Gargano, Austin Theory and Candice LaRae. After being released in April 2022, but made a surprise comeback on the August 8th episode of Raw.
Lumis and Gargano are currently engaged in a feud with The Miz.
H/t to 411mania