Road Dogg began his career back in 1986, but it wasn’t until he began teaming with Billy Gunn in WWE in 1997 that his star really began to rise.
Once part of the New Age Outlaws, Road Dogg’s career kicked into a new gear, before hitting an all-time high as the pair became part of D-X.
However, while flying high in the ring the star was struggling with drug and alcohol issues behind the scenes, and this eventually led to him being released by the company in 2001. Reflecting on being let go by WWE on his podcast Oh You Didn’t Know, Road Dogg said he was angry with the world, something he didn’t fully realise at the time.
“It was me being mad because my gravy train ended. They took my gravy train away because I was behaving in ways that were unbecoming of a WWF superstar. Now, I can see that and say that. At the time, I was still looking through drug-addled eyes, and not making sound decisions.”
The WWE Hall of Famer said that once he got sober he called Jim Ross to apologise for how he acted during the period when he was fired. JR was WWE’s Head of Talent at the time, so dealt with much of the company’s hiring and firing.
“JR was the first person I called after I got sober,” James revealed. “He was the first amends I made. Even while firing me, he put me over by acknowledging that I was talented. And they [WWE] did make me a star. They did everything right, I was doing everything wrong.”
“JR said, ‘Thank you, no hard feelings.’ He was forgiving and humble, and that humbled me. He was the first guy I had to say, ‘I’m sorry for the way I have been.’ It led me down a path where it has gotten easier to call myself on my bullcrap and to tell people: ‘I’m sorry. That’s on me, that’s not you.'”
When Did Road Dogg Return To WWE?
After a spell on the independent scene and later TNA, Road Dogg returned to WWE in 2011. At first, he re-signed a producer before stepping back into the ring teaming with Gunn once again.
Over the following decade, the veteran has held a number of backstage roles including Head Writer of SmackDown. In January 2022, Road Dogg was released by WWE but returned in August as Senior Vice President of Live Events replacing Jeff Jarrett.
Road Dogg made his most recent on-screen appearance as part of the 2023 Draft.
H/t to Wrestling Inc