{"id":223804,"date":"2026-10-17T14:03:14","date_gmt":"2026-10-17T19:03:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/?p=223804"},"modified":"2026-10-17T14:03:14","modified_gmt":"2026-10-17T19:03:14","slug":"in-person-report-on-d-von-dudley-academy-opening-doors-to-media-addresses-balancing-putting-on-shows-with-new-trainees-and-experienced-roster-members-ascension-event-details","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2026\/10\/17\/in-person-report-on-d-von-dudley-academy-opening-doors-to-media-addresses-balancing-putting-on-shows-with-new-trainees-and-experienced-roster-members-ascension-event-details\/","title":{"rendered":"In-person report on D-Von Dudley Academy opening doors to media, addresses balancing putting on shows with new trainees and experienced roster members, Ascension event details"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"pwtor-2376546149\" class=\"pwtor-before-content pwtor-entity-placement\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Advertisements\"><hr \/><b>SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)... <\/b>\r\n\r\n<iframe src=\"https:\/\/widget.spreaker.com\/player?show_id=3076978&theme=light&playlist=false&playlist-continuous=false&autoplay=false&live-autoplay=false&chapters-image=true&episode_image_position=right&hide-logo=false&hide-likes=false&hide-comments=false&hide-sharing=false&hide-download=true\" width=\"100%\" height=\"140px\" frameborder=\"0\"><\/iframe>\r\n<hr \/><\/div><p>For the first time, on Oct. 15 the noted D-Von Dudley Academy (formerly Team 3D Academy) invited members of the press to its training facility located just north of the WWE Performance Center for a press conference promoting their Oct. 24 show.<\/p>\n<p>Ascension will be the school\u2019s third show following this summer\u2019s Inception and Rebound, the latter of which was a collaboration with All Combat Wrestling. It will be streamed live on YouTube, as was this hectic lead-in that highlighted and forwarded current programs. Hype in the form of chaos dominated the evening, but both before and after that entertainment kicked in PWTorch managed to get words from D-Von Dudley himself as well as several exclusives with DDA talent.<\/p>\n<p>Emcee TJ Lopes first introduced Jay Luxx, MCG, Joey Blaze, Selene Heavens, Kiki Roberts, and D-Von Dudley, kicking things off by addressing the attack on D-Von by ACW\u2019s Annexion (Angel Fashion and Riviero Rivas) that concluded Rebound. D-Von admitted that doing whatever needs to be done to make a name for yourself is exactly what he and longtime tag partner Bubba Ray Dudley used to do proudly in ECW, but he thinks ACW \u201cpicked the wrong person to try to do that with.\u201d Heavens took a remorseful tone, lamenting that offering an olive branch had resulted in a Brutus-like backstab.<\/p>\n<p>Kiki Roberts transitioned to addressing the issue effervescing between he and Jay Luxx, citing their post-match breakdown at Rebound and accusing Luxx of not knowing how to handle himself professionally. He talked himself up as an international superstar and denigrated Luxx as a crying degenerate who dropped the ball. Noticing the glamorous Luxx was mounting a retort, Roberts taunted him with the microphone as if withholding a treat from a puppy. Using Lopes\u2019 mic instead Luxx rhetorically posited, \u201cKiki, didn\u2019t you take the pin?\u201d He continued, \u201cLast time I checked, at Inception &#8211; our first show &#8211; I got the victory. Rebound? You lost\u2026 \u2026You dropped the ball.\u201d MCG weighed in, tidily opining that the turn of events between his DDA compatriots was \u201cvery shocking.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Roberts and Luxx weren\u2019t through yet, but DDA wrestler Samson was said to be causing a stir in the YouTube stream\u2019s chat and asking if D-Von had an opponent lined up for him. D-Von authoritatively insisted the online upstart not worry himself with that, adding, \u201cjust bring your behind over here and I\u2019ve got somebody for you.\u201d Kiki Roberts &#8211; EP at the Academy &#8211; suggested that since one opponent apparently wasn\u2019t enough for Samson at Rebound, \u2018The Lion from Zion\u2019 should face two opponents at Ascension. D-Von concurred and peered even further into the future by ominously stressing to Samson that \u201cyou might make it to the next show, and I guarantee you at the next show you might not make it at all.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>When questioning opened to the press pool, PWTorch first inquired how D-Von is balancing his students\u2019 developmental opportunities on the DDA cards with the drawing potential of focusing shows on previously established talent. D-Von readily explained, \u201cWhen we started shows we wanted to be one of the best &#8211; if not the best &#8211; independent-run show here in Florida, and I think we proved that in the first show\u2026 \u2026The second show was just a continuation. So as far as I\u2019m concerned, you have to be at the top of your game to be a part of DDA\u2019s shows as we go on. And we\u2019re going to have these shows regularly. We\u2019re going to have our 20th anniversary show in April &#8211; April 23rd to be exact. It\u2019ll be 20 years that DDA has been in existence. So therefore all the top talent from the past &#8211; as well as the future talent that will be ready to be on those shows coming up &#8211; will be on there. It\u2019s not gonna be any different than any other organization that you might see out there that\u2019s only gonna bring their top talent to their shows. So that\u2019s exactly what we\u2019re going to do here at DDA.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>At that point TJ Lopes nervously flagged that ACW wrestlers had arrived and were posturing menacingly at the back of the room as well as posting beatdown threats in the YouTube chat. D-Von immediately took the microphone back to say, \u201cGentlemen! I\u2019m not sure why you\u2019re here, and I really don\u2019t give a damn. That was very cute what you did at the last show! You can smile all you want, but you see normal people that smile after doing something to me &#8211; or even my brother Bubba &#8211; basically get their ass kicked. Not to mention they get put through a table. But we\u2019re not gonna do that\u2026 \u2026you can stay as long as you want, but when it\u2019s over, make sure you exit the way you came in.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>As we cautiously returned to questions from those in attendance, Jos\u00e9 C. with Drako Productions asked Kiki Roberts to further address the fallout with Jay Luxx. When Luxx indignantly handed the microphone down the table, Roberts harassed, \u201cYou see? I already took care of it\u2026 \u2026He\u2019s already following in line.\u201d Roberts then escalated to claiming that if he wanted to fire Luxx, he could. Without hesitation D-Von interjected, \u201cWhoa, whoa, whoa, hold on. Let\u2019s get one thing straight. There\u2019s only one boss and that\u2019s me. I\u2019m the Hall-of-Famer\u2026 \u2026not to mention 24-time world tag team champion, and I\u2019m the one who runs this facility. I\u2019m the one who opened up this school in 2007. I love you, [Kiki]; I love you to death. But you don\u2019t overstep your boundaries.\u201d<\/p><div id=\"pwtor-3944254871\" class=\"pwtor-content pwtor-entity-placement\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Advertisements\"><div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280 __336x280\" id=\"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x250\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p>Roberts deferred and toyed at playing nice, but then ordered the DDA security team to escort Luxx to the back for \u201cdisciplinary training.\u201d Luxx insisted, \u201cI am not a dog,\u201d but knew he had no choice but to comply. D-Von waited out the charade but spoke up to Roberts\u2019 flagrant abuse of authority once more. \u201cI think you and I need to go in the back and talk,\u201d he said. With a sheepish fa\u00e7ade barely concealing a roll of his eyes, Roberts relented and followed D-Von to the back.<\/p>\n<p>Turnbuckle Tribe inquired with Joey Blaze about the mysterious fog-like substance that had caused him to collapse at Rebound. Blaze, who had been noticeably stifling coughs to that point, seemed ready to field the subject and began to say that Rebound was supposed to be his opportunity to capitalize on his success at Inception. TJ Lopes interrupted, pleading with the production crew to throw to a video package while he tended to something happening in the back. The lights flickered, and Blaze was suddenly laid out on the conference table. The security team cowered as a staff-wielding figure with an ashen grey face crept forth. The mystery man seemed to weave a spell with his words, and blew a chalky substance onto the prone Blaze. Eerie music began playing as the lights again went dark and the strange assailant vanished. Blaze was helped from the stage as Lopes apologized and desperately segued.<\/p>\n<p>Cecilia Brooks and Caeli Fuego were introduced and sat distantly from one another in preparation to address their upcoming rematch. Fuego &#8211; known as \u2018The Fire of DDA\u2019 &#8211; confidently stated that she\u2019s been growing and getting stronger in order to defeat Brooks a second time. \u2018Brick Wall\u2019 Brooks then called out that getting screwed has become a recurring theme for her, after having an apparent title win overturned at Inception then getting slapped by Fuego\u2019s abuelita at Rebound. She callously foreshadowed bucking the theme and attaining victory this time. Lopes desperately stretched for a thread of hope, begging as to whether the former friendship could be repaired. Fuego simply stated, \u201cNo.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The wrestlers then openly disagreed regarding who had made their feud personal first. Cleveland Henry with Black Arrow Wrestling pressed for an explanation as to why Brooks and Fuego no longer get along. Brooks leapt in, \u201cYou guys keep throwing the word \u2018friends\u2019 around.\u201d She turned to Fuego and broke the news, \u201cWe were never friends\u2026 \u2026You used me. You followed my footsteps.\u201d And just when Brooks was heating up with an insensitive remark about Fuego\u2019s abuelita, she was rudely splashed with water from Fuego\u2019s cup and the two subsequently needed to be held apart by security. Lopes whined that he needs a raise.<\/p>\n<p>D-Von was reintroduced to fulfill a promise to make a special announcement. He said, \u201cSo now DDA has started doing shows, and we\u2019re very proud of them. We\u2019re very proud of the talent that has come out of DDA to help launch this. So therefore, we have new [tag team] titles that are going to be displayed at our anniversary date in April.\u201d He clarified that a tournament will be held for the titles, and stressed the importance of the resulting champions being representative of the DDA. He then turned his attention to the looming horde of ACW wrestlers, who shouted that they want in on the tournament.<\/p>\n<p>D-Von thought aloud, \u201cThis might be interesting.\u201d He swiftly made it official that an ACW duo &#8211; presumably their tag team Annexion who attacked him at Rebound &#8211; will have to qualify for the tournament against the team of T.N.T., that being D-Von\u2019s own sons Terrell and Terrence. In attempt to insure against shady shenanigans, D-Von then amended the qualifying match to be a lumberjack match with five wrestlers from each promotion surrounding the ring. The ACW wrestlers made their absolute confidence known, so D-Von bet the farm and said that if the ACW team manages to become DDA\u2019s first tag team champions then he will also hand ACW the keys to DDA itself. He stipulated, however, that if ACW causes any further mischief then they forfeit not only this opportunity but any future opportunities at the DDA tag belts.<\/p>\n<p>Once the manic event came to a close, PWTorch caught up with DDA talent for exclusives.<\/p>\n<p>PWTorch to Cecilia Brooks: Arguably, you should have won the Monsters Wrestling Orlando Championship from Amber Nova at Inception &#8211; you were controversially disqualified. And arguably, you should have won via disqualification in your Rebound match against Caeli Fuego. Are these decisions affecting your approach to your match at Ascension?<\/p><div id=\"pwtor-3935076709\" class=\"pwtor-content-1 pwtor-entity-placement\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Advertisements\"><!-- Tag ID: pwtorchcom_test_300x600 -->\r\n<div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280 __300x600\" id=\"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_test_300x600\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div><\/div>\n<p>Brooks: I wouldn\u2019t necessarily say it\u2019s affecting my approach. It\u2019s just reflecting, and not having trust in the companies that I\u2019m working for. I know what I\u2019m capable of, and I think with both opponents that I wrestled I had the upper hand the entire match. That\u2019s gonna be the same next week &#8211; October 24th at DDA Ascension. Caeli Fuego will get hers, and there will be no confusing ending to that story.<\/p>\n<p>PWTorch to Jay Luxx: It seems Kiki Roberts &#8211; a key figure here at DDA &#8211; is treating what we might call a feud with you as though it\u2019s actually part of your training. Do you have any response to the idea that his conduct is allegedly part of a training exercise?<\/p>\n<p>Luxx: I just want to make one thing clear. I think D-Von made it a point tonight that Kiki Roberts is overstepping. Sure, at one point Kiki helped me out at this school. Sure, he was my assistant coach\u2026 but he\u2019s not the head coach here at the D-Von Dudley Academy. And since I decided to do my own thing these past few years, I have branched out and I have made a name for myself outside of DDA. I\u2019ve gone to California, I\u2019ve gone to New York, I\u2019ve gone to Atlanta, I\u2019ve gone to Vegas, I\u2019ve gone to Arizona, I\u2019ve been all over the United States\u2026 so Kiki Roberts has not shown me anything. Sure, he taught me how to do a back roll, but right now, in this present time, Kiki Roberts hasn\u2019t taught me sh*t. I\u2019m doing it all on my own. And like I said, Kiki Roberts got the loss at Rebound, not me. So I think Kiki Roberts is a little sad about that, and he should be asking himself these questions &#8211; not me.<\/p>\n<p>PWTorch to Kiki Roberts: We saw you get pulled aside by D-Von in the middle of the press conference. It seems that from your perspective your feud with Jay Luxx is more of a training exercise, but D-Von seemed to have some further thoughts on that. Do you have any comment?<\/p>\n<p>Roberts: Well, of course D-Von &#8211; as D-Von is &#8211; has to make it known who D-Von is, right? We say inside the building all the time that we always hear, \u201cI\u2019m a 24-time world tag team champion!\u201d He\u2019s always got to get that in, right? Those old-timers always gotta get it in, right? So I understand that; I know that he needs to set the line and I get it. I am following him. It is the D-Von Dudley Academy, right? So\u2026 I\u2019m following his guidance, but\u2026 I will not allow his company to be defaced the way that it\u2019s being with Jay Luxx. So maybe he doesn\u2019t see it in the moment, but as long as I have an opportunity to speak with D-Von and help him understand what I\u2019m doing, it\u2019ll help. It\u2019ll make more sense to him.<\/p>\n<p>DDA Ascension streams live on the D-Von Dudley Academy YouTube channel Saturday, Oct. 24 at 6 p.m. EST, from the Empire Event Center in Casselberry, Florida. Other wrestlers scheduled to appear include Leva Bates, Robert Colon, Damu Anoa\u2019i, Damian Fenrir, The Metro Brothers, Onix, and Savannah Thorne.<\/p>\n<div class=\"pwtor-end-article-groups pwtor-entity-placement\" id=\"pwtor-3379921529\"><div id=\"pwtor-3278574639\" role=\"region\" aria-label=\"Advertisements\"><div align=\"center\" data-freestar-ad=\"__336x280\" id=\"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\">\r\n  <script data-cfasync=\"false\" type=\"text\/javascript\">\r\n    freestar.config.enabled_slots.push({ placementName: \"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\", slotId: \"pwtorchcom_medrec_3\" });\r\n  <\/script>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\nTHANK YOU FOR VISITING<\/div><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<div class=\"mh-excerpt\"><p>For the first time, on Oct. 15 the noted D-Von Dudley Academy (formerly Team 3D Academy) invited members of the press to its training facility located just north of the WWE Performance Center for a <a class=\"mh-excerpt-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/2026\/10\/17\/in-person-report-on-d-von-dudley-academy-opening-doors-to-media-addresses-balancing-putting-on-shows-with-new-trainees-and-experienced-roster-members-ascension-event-details\/\" title=\"In-person report on D-Von Dudley Academy opening doors to media, addresses balancing putting on shows with new trainees and experienced roster members, Ascension event details\">[&#8230;]<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":223807,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"episode_type":"","audio_file":"","podmotor_file_id":"","podmotor_episode_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","itunes_episode_number":"","itunes_title":"","itunes_season_number":"","itunes_episode_type":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2,7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-223804","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-prowrestlingnews","category-news_etc"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-content\/uploads\/post\/2026\/10\/Screenshot-2026-10-17-at-1.57.05-PM.png","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/223804","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=223804"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/223804\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":223808,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/223804\/revisions\/223808"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/223807"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=223804"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=223804"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pwtorch.com\/site\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=223804"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}