Prepare for one of the most powerful and emotional installments in the history of the 3-time award-winning podcast, Devon & The Duke. This week, WWE Hall of Famer Devon Dudley and Duke Loves Rasslin take a somber yet defiant look back at the 9/13/2001 episode of SmackDown—the first major live event in America following the tragic events of September 11th.

From the terror of the day it happened to the incredible show of unity that followed, Devon opens up like never before about a week that changed his life, the wrestling business, and the world forever.

Inside This Historic Episode:

• 9/11: Where was Devon? Devon shares the harrowing story of being on the road in Houston with Bubba Ray Dudley and The Rock when the news broke that the towers had been hit.
• A City in Shock: The eerie atmosphere in Houston as the three legends ventured out for a meal in a country that had suddenly stood still.
• The Weight of SmackDown: What it felt like backstage on 9/13/2001, knowing WWE was under serious threat but choosing to be the first major organization to show the world that we would move forward.
• Lillian Garcia’s Anthem: Devon reflects on the chilling, heart-wrenching moment Lillian Garcia sang the National Anthem and how it touched every soul in the building.
• The Sermon of Unity: Devon revisits his "Unite the Country" promo and explains why discussing these moments still gives him chills and brings him to tears today.
• A Heartfelt Tradition: Devon discusses his annual tradition of calling Zelina Vega (whom he still affectionately calls Rosita) to honor her father, who was tragically lost in the Twin Towers.
• The Modern Day Heat: Shifting to the present, the duo addresses the shocking allegations regarding Tony Khan’s alleged burner accounts on X and the trash-talk directed at Duke himself!

This episode is a rollercoaster of laughs, tears, and essential wrestling history. It is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and an absolute must-listen for every fan.

#DevonAndTheDuke #WWE #SmackDown #NeverForget #911Memorial #DevonDudley #ZelinaVega #ProWrestling #Podcast #UnitedWeStand #TonyKhan #WrestlingHistory #USA #Testify

** Shop better hydration today. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LiquidIV.Com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & use the promo code DukeLovesRasslin to save on your next order! **

**All views expressed are that of those expressing them. Pull Up Your Skinny Jeans if you don't like it! **

Get ready for a powerhouse edition of the 3-time award-winning podcast, Devon & The Duke! This week, WWE Hall of Famer Devon Dudley and Duke Loves Rasslin are firing on all cylinders to celebrate a very special occasion: the birthday of "The Animal" himself, Dave Batista (1/18/26).

From the grind of the gym to the gritty backstage stories of 2002, this episode is a deep dive into what it takes to survive the business and build a legend. Despite technical hurdles and health bugs, the Reverend and the Duke are here to deliver the truth.

Inside Episode 56:

• The Forever Grind: Devon opens up about his grueling schedule and the unique challenges veterans face when trying to stay in peak physical condition as they get older.

• Duke’s Toughest Opponent: Duke is currently fighting through a heavy cold, but like a true pro, he isn't letting it stop the show.

• Power Move: Devon catches us up on his latest binge-watch, the hit series POWER, and breaks down why Ghost has quickly become his favorite character.

• The Birth of a Deacon: The definitive origin story of how Deacon Batista was created and Devon's honest first impressions when he met the man who would become a Hollywood megastar.

• Behind the Suit: Why Batista famously hated the Deacon gimmick but loved every second of being paired with Devon.

• Backstage Heat: Devon pulls no punches while discussing the friction between Batista and Bubba Ray Dudley during those early days.

• Brotherhood & Success: Hear Devon express his immense pride in Batista's journey and his heartfelt words of encouragement for "The Animal."

• The Ultimate Respect: Reflecting on Batista’s career-long habit of shouting out Devon in interviews as a pivotal part of his success.

Whether you're a fan of the "Ruthless Aggression" era or you just love a great success story, this episode is a masterclass in wrestling history and personal growth.

#DevonAndTheDuke #WWE #DaveBatista #TheAnimal #DeaconBatista #ProWrestling #Podcast #DevonDudley #BatistaBirthday #PowerStarz #WrestlingHistory #HallOfFame #Testify

** Shop better hydration today. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LiquidIV.Com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & use the promo code DukeLovesRasslin to save on your next order! **

**All views expressed are that of those expressing them. Pull Up Your Skinny Jeans if you don't like it! **

Get ready for another explosive episode of the 3-time award-winning podcast, Devon & The Duke! This week, the show that keeps going viral is overcoming technical hurdles and setting the wrestling world on fire with never-before-heard backstage stories and some serious "real talk" regarding industry legends. Despite a massive Verizon outage trying to silence the Reverend, the message is getting out—and it is loud and clear.

In this episode, Devon and Duke pull back the curtain on one of the most iconic transformations in WWE history and address the modern-day drama that has the internet talking.

What’s Inside Episode 55:

• The Verizon Silence: How a nationwide mobile outage nearly took down the episode and what it took to get Devon back on the air.

• The Stephanie McMahon Subject: Duke teases a potential appearance for Devon on Stephanie’s podcast. Is Devon ready to be put in the hot seat?

• The Secret History of Reverend Devon: Devon reveals the true origin of the character, including the shocking reveal that Stephanie McMahon was originally slated to be part of the on-screen gimmick before Vince McMahon pivoted.

• Vindication from the Greats: Hear what Vince McMahon, Stephanie McMahon, and The Undertaker really thought about the Reverend Devon character.

• The Faarooq Partnership: Devon reflects on his short but deeply appreciated time teaming with the legendary Ron Simmons.

• Is John Cena the GOAT?: Duke gives his high-level perspective on why Cena is officially billed as the Greatest of All Time.

• Setting the Record Straight: Devon clears the air on the Maven/Conrad Thompson situation, revealing he had no idea Maven was attempting to "middleman" the tension between Devon and Jim Ross.

• Duke Lays Down the Law: A stern warning to those trying to use Devon for "self-dealing." Duke issues a final call to Jim Ross: be a man, bury the hatchet, or move on.

• The Final Word: Devon closes the show with a powerful reminder for everyone to live by the Golden Rule.

Don't miss the podcast that continues to define the conversation in professional wrestling. Whether you're here for the backstage heat or the spiritual inspiration, this is one "sermon" you can't afford to miss!

#DevonAndTheDuke #WWE #ReverendDevon #StephanieMcMahon #VinceMcMahon #JohnCena #ProWrestling #Podcast #JimRoss #TheUndertaker #Testify #GoldenRule #ViralPodcast

** Shop better hydration today. Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LiquidIV.Com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & use the promo code DukeLovesRasslin to save on your next order! **

**All views expressed are that of those expressing them. Pull Up Your Skinny Jeans if you don't like it! **