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I agree with you that Puff was not feeling one on one against dr guys, but I dont think “responding” was about that.
For me Puff is Bad Boy and Bad Boy at that time also had Wolf and Riz. They didnt care , the things I read about them they felt secure going against suge. There is even a gene deal story Riz and Wolf let Puff confront Suge in cali.
If wolf wanted hè would retaliate, and hè would not be shook. I believe in this 100% I think the money and the new Arista deal took Bad Boy to a level nobody wanted to risk losing.