Reported by Adam Martin of WrestleView.com
On Monday, April 24, 2006 at 1:59 PM EST

The following was transcribed by Betsy Byrd of www.wrestlingweekly.com:

Special guest Brother Devon joined Wrestling Weekly hosts Doc Young and Les Thatcher on April 20 for a less abbreviated visit this time around. The charismatic and talkative Devon talked about the upcoming TNA pay-per-view, "Lock Down," the return of Spike Dudley to the fold, how he came to "Testify" as Reverend D-Von on WWE, and much more.

The show opened with enthusiasm about the excellent ratings TNA has been pulling in and the momentum they've gained since moving to Thursday nights. He said it would have been better in primetime but "that's ok." He is glad that TNA is showing that it's no a fly-by-night operation. He said, "We are the real deal. We are here to stay."

Plus life at TNA is even sweeter now that he and his partner, Brother Ray, are reunited with Brother Runt-best known as the third Dudley Boy, Spike Dudley. Devon said the name is appropriate because "We've been calling him the runt of the litter ever since ECW." He added that "Spike is one tough SOB" and he is looking forward to having him in their corner when they face Team Canada on the April 23 PPV. He said, "As far as I'm concerned, there's going to be a huge ass whipping that night."

Devon talked about the days when the Dudleyz were kings at ECW. He said it was a constant adrenaline rush. "The crowd was blood thirsty" and "The fans ate it up and loved it." That is why they always gave the fans 110% every night. He said one of the worst injuries he ever suffered was at the hands of another ECW mainstay, The Sandman. He said it wasn't unusual to face The Sandman drunk before he even set foot in the ring. One night, The Sandman hit Devon with a wooden ladder and tore his pectoral muscle. He said, "It wasn't a good thing, brother." Lying down proved be excruciating during recovery so he had to resort of sleeping sitting up.

He said the Reverend D-Von gimmick he adopted while the Dudleyz were at WWE was Vince McMahon's idea. The notion came from the glut of priests being exposed and televangelists caught with the hands in the coffers and Devon agreed "it was definitely on the right track." He joked about the collection basket he used to pass into the crowd and was amazed that people actually put money into it. He said the money was for the "House of D-Von" but Al Snow used to rib him about not ever seeing even a doorknob from this "House."

He believes the Reverend gimmick went sour when Paul E. Dangerously came aboard. Devon acknowledged Paul's genius but said he tried to push the gimmick too far, in his opinion. Devon said Paul would script what he should say and "wouldn't listen." He said, "I couldn't connect with the gimmick anymore and it was done."

Devon's father is a Bishop and his mother is a Reverend and he did approach them about pursuing the gimmick beforehand. He said his mother didn't like it but his father said it was OK with him just as long as Devon kept praying and worshipping properly. He said if his father had said no to the idea, he wouldn't have done it. At the request of a listener in the chat room, Devon did a spontaneious Reverend D-Von promo.

One listener asked Devon about Jim Cornette. He said he never did find out how the whole deal got blown out of proportion and said, "I thought this was a dead issue." He said the whole thing began when Devon criticized OVW. He talked to Jim Cornette afterward, however, and said "we talked about it like gentlemen." He went on to say, "I love Jim" and "There's no heat." He attributes it to an Internet rumor run amok.

Devon talked about his biggest influences in wrestling including the Road Warriors ("the fear that they put in people's eyes"), Hulk Hogan and how he tributes him every time he does a leg drop, and his friendship with Maven. He said he used to resent him because of "Tough Enough" but now they are friends. He said he would like to work with him someday.

Devon said he feels great since he began working out regularly with a personal trainer at Hawk's Gym in Melbourne, Florida. He is now 265 lbs., the biggest he's ever been. Some of the things he thought he was doing right in the gym turned out to be wrong and getting in better shape helps cut back on injuries and heeling. He joked that he's ready to compete with Brock Lesnar now and added, "I love you, Brock!"

Devon finished the interview by leading us in a "song of praise" about being in TNA. Funny!

Wrestling Weekly is now a part of the Wrestling Radio Network at www.wrestlingradionetwork.com.

Next week's Wrestling Weekly debuts in the new timeslot, Tuesday from 8:00-10:00 pm EST. The April 25 program will feature the return of Chris Kanyon plus a very special guest yet to be announced.

Wrestling Weekly featuring Doc Young and Les Thatcher can be heard every Tuesday from 8:00-10:00 pm EST at www.wrestlingweekly.com.