Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime performance had the internet split down the middle — and now WWE Hall of Famer Devon Dudley is stepping into the debate.
During a recent episode of Devon & The Duke, the former tag team legend didn’t dance around the controversy. The conversation began with Duke bringing up Bad Bunny’s Grammy wins and his halftime performance, which was performed entirely in Spanish and carried a message centered on unity and culture. Devon made it clear he believed the performance wasn’t accidental or random.
“Well, I definitely thought it was a political statement. No question. You know, people use a platform like the Super Bowl when there’s controversy in the world or in the United States, I should say, to make a statement — a bold statement. I think that was a statement.”
The backlash was immediate after the show aired. Some fans praised it. Others slammed it. Some even called it the worst halftime show in Super Bowl history. Devon wasn’t buying that narrative.
“You know, a lot of the fans — I don’t know, I heard there’s been a lot of mixed reviews that I’ve heard, meaning some people loved it and some people hated it. Some was even saying it was the worst Super Bowl performance that had ever been done. I don’t agree with that.”
One of the loudest criticisms came from viewers upset that the entire performance was in Spanish. Devon addressed that head-on and acknowledged the reaction he saw online. He also referenced reports that Donald Trump criticized the show without fully watching it.
“It was all Spanish — in other words, the singing. There was no English. And I know some people were upset about that. I read comments, ‘This is the United States. They should not have done that.’ Let that happen.”
“And I know Trump weighed in on it too, saying it was the worst performance ever in Super Bowl history. But yet, from my understanding, from what I heard, he didn’t even watch it.”
Despite the controversy, Devon said he personally enjoyed what Bad Bunny delivered and understood the broader message.
“I actually enjoyed it because I knew right off the bat that it was going to be a political statement. And, you know, to have that platform like the Super Bowl and to be able to do that, I thought it was great.”
He also connected the performance to current immigration tensions in the United States, saying he felt the show was about unity, not division. Devon ultimately boiled it down to one core message.
“I don’t think he went outside the box too much. I mean, you know, with the culture — look, ICE have been targeting Latinos and things like that. Bad Bunny brought it all together. Say, listen, we’re together. You know, we live here just like you do.”
“I think Bad Bunny did a great job expressing himself and letting it be known that, hey, we’re coming together — not hate, love.”
Of course, Bad Bunny isn’t just a music megastar. He’s also stepped into a WWE ring multiple times, including headlining a premium live event in Puerto Rico. Devon previously made it clear he considers Bunny a legitimate draw in wrestling, arguing that if you’re putting “asses in seats,” you qualify.
The debate around the halftime show may not cool off anytime soon, but one thing is certain — when a WWE Hall of Famer publicly backs you, that carries weight.
What did you think of Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl performance? Was it one of the best in recent memory or did it miss the mark? Drop your thoughts in the comments below and let us know.