Former WWE Star Dexter Lumis Credits Bully Ray For Teaching Him Psychology In TNA

Everyone in pro wrestling strives to have their big breaking moment. For former WWE star Dexter Lumis, it wasn't when he joined the Stamford-based promotion; rather, it came from his time in TNA as a competitor on "TNA Gut Check." Though he had a few years under his belt as a wrestler at that time, Lumis said that if it weren't for WWE and TNA Hall of Famer Bully Ray (Bubba Ray Dudley) teaching him the psychology of the sport, he wouldn't have made it to where he is today.

"So, I think I was smartened up to this a little bit by Bubba Ray Dudley, who was, I consider, him one of the main guys that trained me. And he'll always say, 'Well, Mr. [Curtis] Hughes trained you...' I love you, Mr. Hughes. You're the best, and you taught me so much...But I needed more. I needed to know the psychology of the business. And Bubba taught me that," Lumis said on "Insight." "So, when I'm getting opportunities in TNA, and he sees what's happening there with the 'Gut Check' situation, he gave me the iggy."

Those long sessions with Ray did him well, as Lumis was awarded a contract with TNA in 2012 after winning that year's "Gut Check" competition. He left the promotion in 2015, and ventured over to  WWE's developmental brand, "WWE NXT," where he stayed from 2019 until his first release on April 29, 2022. 

Four months later, Lumis made his comeback to WWE, this time, to its main roster. His big break there came in 2024, when he joined the unearthly Wyatt Sicks as Mercy the Buzzard. He'd portray that role up until his second release this past April after WrestleMania 42. Lumis is now a free agent.

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit "Insight with Chris Van Vliet" with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.