By: Alex Marvez

TNA Wrestling's "Genesis" pay-per-view show could mark a new beginning for "Brother" Devon Hughes.

Paired with Mick Foley and A.J. Styles against Kevin Nash, Scott Steiner and Booker T in Sunday night's main event, Hughes won't be teaming with longtime partner Brother Ray (real name Mark "Bubba Ray" LoMonaco). That separation may be a harbinger of things to come.

Not that there's personal trouble between Brother Devon and Brother Ray in Dudleyville (the mythical New York City borough where the duo was long billed as originating). Performing as Team 3D, Hughes and LoMonaco captured their 22nd major tag-team title last weekend by winning a New Japan Pro Wrestling tournament in Tokyo.

But Hughes is admittedly uncertain how frequently LoMonaco will be wrestling in the future. Hughes said LoMonaco has taken an indefinite break from TNA matches after recently suffering a story-line injury.

Hughes said LoMonaco, 37, is feeling the effects of a rough-and-tumble grappling style dating to their days as the Dudley Boyz in Extreme Championship Wrestling from 1996 to 1999. Those injuries never healed properly as the Dudleys spent the next six years performing almost nonstop in World Wrestling Entertainment.

"Bodywise, he's pretty messed up," Hughes said Tuesday during a telephone interview. "I saw this coming two or three years ago. There were times where even getting on a plane was hard for him.

"Back in the Hulk Hogan days (in the 1980s), those guys knew how to last a lot longer. For our generation, the (aging) process is sped up because of everything more we do in the ring. You can't do all that flying and flipping and not pay a price."

Uncertain if or when Brother Ray will resume a full-time schedule, Hughes said he is approaching LoMonaco's hiatus as a chance to prove he can excel as a singles performer. The heavily muscled Hughes recently began slimming down while upping his cardiovascular training to better prepare for the demands of solo action.

"Bubba and I are definitely two different people," Hughes said. "That's how we balance each other out. What he lacks in wrestling ability, I pick up. What I lack in talking, he picks up. But I still think when I'm given the mike, I've always held my own."

Hughes is drawing motivation from a failed 2002 singles run when WWE split the Dudleys. While LoMonaco had a modicum of success as a hard-core performer, Hughes flopped when re-cast as the villainous Reverend Devon. The only memorable aspect of the gimmick was Hughes' helping to launch the WWE career of Dave "Deacon" Bautista as his protege. Reunited by year's end, the Dudleys continued working as a WWE tag team until leaving in 2005 for TNA.

Hughes believes he wasn't given enough time to prove he could excel as Reverend Devon. Hughes said WWE owner Vince McMahon yanked the creative freedom he was originally given and the promotion 's scriptwriters soured on the character.

"If I fail as a singles wrestler now, I fail," said Hughes, who wrestled solo on the Northeastern independent circuit before becoming a Dudley. "But at least I'll go out knowing I did my best."

In an industry where tag teams rarely last more than a few years, Hughes and LoMonaco have stood together through thick and thin. The duo spurned a chance to rejoin WWE last fall by signing three-year contracts with TNA, which Hughes praises for its family atmosphere, young talent base and more modest touring schedule.

Team 3D also has done an A-plus job preparing for life after wrestling. A recently engaged father of four, Hughes owns his own smoothie store (3D Powerblendz) in Melbourne, Fla. LoMonaco and his family run an Orlando-area spa and salon. Plus Hughes and LoMonaco are business partners in an Orlando-area wrestling school (Team 3D Academy).

As it stands now, Team 3D will be remembered as one of the industry's greatest tandems. Hughes, though, said he isn't close to writing the finale on his grappling career.

"If Bubba decided to retire before me, he's going to be the only one retiring," said Hughes, 36. "I'm going to still be going strong."

Kurt Angle vs. Jeff Jarrett and Sting vs. Rhino are the other top matches at "Genesis," which emanates from Charlotte, N.C. For more information, visit www.tnawrestling.com.

Source: scrippsnews.com

NEW ORLEANS – ECW Champion Matt Hardy was put to the test tonight against the World's Strongest Man Mark Henry. But next week, the champion must face the undefeated Jack Swagger for the ECW Championship.

ECW Champion Matt Hardy def. Mark Henry (Non-title match)
Mark Henry came into the match with revenge on his mind after failing to get a win over the ECW Champion last week, due to interference from Jack Swagger. The intense rivalry between Hardy and the World's Strongest Man showed no signs of slowing in 2009. In the end, Hardy got the better of Henry once again, defeating the nearly 400-pounder with a Twist of Fate.

Jack Swagger def. Finlay
In a grueling contest, No. 1 contender Jack Swagger took on the veteran Finlay, in their first one-on-one encounter ever. Using his power, agility and aggressiveness, the 256-pound Swagger was able to wear Finlay down. In the end, the young Superstar made a bold statement by finishing off the Belfast Brawler with a gutwrench powerbomb to pick up the pinfall.

ECW Champion Matt Hardy vs. Jack Swagger announced
Shortly after Swagger's win over Finlay, he reminded ECW General Manager Theodore Long of his series of impressive wins over recent weeks. After Swagger rattled off his accomplishments, Long announced the youngster would finally have his big opportunity. Next week, it will be Jack Swagger vs. ECW Champion Matt Hardy for the ECW Title. The cocky Swagger then predicted that he would be the new champion, as well as the new face of the ECW franchise.

Katie Lea Burchill def. Alicia Fox
In her first-ever singles match in WWE, Alicia took on Katie Lea, who made her first in-ring appearance on ECW. Fox had DJ Gabriel in her corner, while Burchill had her brother, Paul, in her corner for support. Both Divas looked sharp, and it could have been anyone's night to claim a victory. However, in the end, it was Katie Lea who was able to overpower Fox, and slam her lower back into a waiting knee to pick up the pinfall.

Last week in her blog on WWE Universe, Katie Lea said one of her goals for 2009 was to "beat up Little Miss Saturday Night Fever." Although Katie Lea succeeded on this night, Fox will surely be looking for an opportunity to display her ring prowess again.

Boogeyman def. local competitor
In a macabre mauling, Boogeyman crushed a local athlete who probably wished he never set foot in the ring against the ghoulish Superstar. After the match, the hapless challenger received Boogeyman's signature humiliating finisher – a slimy mouthful of worms.

Source: WWE.com

NEW ORLEANS – Storming into Louisiana, the first Raw of 2009 brought with it all the explosive action that the WWE Universe has come to expect. What our fans didn't see coming however, was the shocking announcement that after more than six months away, Mr. McMahon himself will be returning to Raw in just two short weeks. This revelation came just prior to the night's main event, which saw World Heavyweight Champion John Cena & Shawn Michaels team up to defeat Randy Orton & Chris Jericho.

World Heavyweight Champion John Cena & Shawn Michaels def. Randy Orton & Chris Jericho; John Cena to face Shawn Michaels the following week
As his employer, JBL looked on silently, Shawn Michaels teamed up with the self-proclaimed "wrestling god's" Royal Rumble opponent, World Heavyweight Champion John Cena, to take on the vicious team of Randy Orton & Chris Jericho. Earlier in the night, HBK had been encouraged by his boss to turn on The Champ, in an attempt to increase JBL's chances of winning the World Heavyweight Title at Royal Rumble. Throughout the match, Shawn Michaels appeared conflicted, but in the end, it was his Sweet Chin Music that dropped both his opponents, allowing HBK to pin Jericho for the win.

As Cena & Michaels celebrated in the ring, HBK's employer revealed in the locker room area that the two Superstars would be facing one another on the next Raw, with JBL installed in Shawn Michaels' corner.

Mr. McMahon to return to Raw in two weeks; Women's Champion Beth Phoenix's No. 1 fan banned from Raw
One of the biggest announcements of the night came courtesy of the nefarious Chris Jericho. Accosting Stephanie McMahon in her office, Jericho revealed that not only did he petition the Executive Vice President protesting the prior week's Fatal Four Way Match, but he also sent it to the Chairman, Mr. McMahon. Stephanie was shocked to learn that not only did her father's office respond to Jericho, but they announced his return to Raw in just two short weeks. This huge revelation came after Women's Champion Beth Phoenix and Santino Marella had been speaking with the Executive Vice President about Rosa Mendes, the crazed fan that attacked Melina earlier in the night. Stephanie told "Glamarella" that Mendes was as of that moment banned from Raw.

Cody Rhodes & Sim Snuka def. Cryme Tyme; Snuka taken out of the running for Randy Orton's group
Phase two of gaining membership in Randy Orton's new group consisted of Cody Rhodes & Sim Snuka facing Cryme Tyme in a tag team match. The two second-generation Superstars attempted to show exactly why they should be chosen, with Rhodes scoring the pinfall victory for the team. Though technically Snuka won the match as well, it was not a good enough showing for Orton, who promptly removed him from the running, declaring him "the weak link."

Kelly Kelly def. Jillian; Kane to face Randy Orton the following week
Continuing to display her rapid in-ring improvement, Kelly Kelly took out Jillian in singles competition. Raw's tone-deaf songstress was unable to take her loss in stride, however, and attacked the blond bombshell after the match, leaving Kelly in a vulnerable position when the imposing Kane entered the ring. The Big Red Monster was angry about Kelly attempting to protect her one-time lover, Randy Orton, and announced that he would be facing the Legend Killer on the next Raw.

World Tag Team Champions The Miz & John Morrison def. Rey Mysterio & Kofi Kingston; Mysterio and Kingston named as Royal Rumble participants
The current World Tag Team Champions made an appearance on Raw to compete against Rey Mysterio & Kofi Kingston in a non-title match. The Miz & John Morrison talked glowingly of their many accomplishments before meeting their quick-moving, athletic opponents in the ring. Mysterio & Kingston's innovative offense wasn't enough to defeat the self-proclaimed greatest tag team of the 21st century however, as Morrison pinned the Master of the 619 for the win.

Following the match, things got even worse for Mysterio, as Mike Knox stormed out and brutalized the Ultimate Underdog, gaining some measure of revenge for his first-ever defeat on Raw at the hands of Mysterio the week prior in a 10-Man Tag Team Match. Though they were defeated on Raw, both Mysterio and Kingston will have the opportunity of a lifetime as they compete in the Royal Rumble Match as announced during their bout on Raw.

JBL encouraged Shawn Michaels to turn on World Heavyweight Champion John Cena; Randy Orton set another challenge for Cody Rhodes and Sim Snuka
The earlier news of a match between World Heavyweight Champion John Cena & Shawn Michaels and Randy Orton & Chris Jericho immediately set JBL's mind spinning. In the locker room area, the Longhorn Loudmouth cornered his employee Shawn Michaels, urging him to turn on his tag team partner and possibly even render The Champ unable to defend his title at Royal Rumble.

Elsewhere, Randy Orton addressed the potential members of his new group, Cody Rhodes and Sim Snuka, declaring that if they wanted to join, they would have to win their match later in the night. Orton was then approached by Manu, who was ousted from the running the week before. The Samoan Superstar requested another chance to prove himself, but was denied by the third-generation Superstar Orton.

CM Punk def. Intercontinental Champion William Regal by disqualification; Regal retains the Intercontinental Title
Reaping the rewards of winning the heavily contested Intercontinental Title Tournament, CM Punk met William Regal in the squared circle with the Intercontinental Title on the line. As always, Regal was accompanied to the ring by his fellow Brit, Layla. Victory appeared to be within Punk's grasp as he prepared to hit the Intercontinental Champion with the Go To Sleep, but Regal reached out and grabbed the referee, disqualifying himself.

Unfortunately for the Straightedge Superstar, however, a title may not change hands on a disqualification. But Punk's luck quickly turned around, as Stephanie McMahon emerged and immediately set a future rematch, where if Regal is again disqualified, he will lose the Intercontinental Title.

Melina & Goldust def. Women's Champion Beth Phoenix & Santino Marella
Just weeks before Melina will face off against Women's Champion Beth Phoenix at Royal Rumble, the paparazzi-hounded Diva partnered with the bizarre Goldust to face the team of Glamarella in an Intergender Tag Team Match. Perhaps giving The Glamazon of taste of what she can expect at Royal Rumble, Melina pinned Phoenix for the win. Following the match, for the second week in a row Melina was attacked by the Women's Champion's crazed No. 1 fan, who was subsequently restrained by security and escorted out of the arena.

Randy Orton and Chris Jericho entered in the Royal Rumble Match, but not Shawn Michaels; World Heavyweight Champion John Cena & HBK to face Orton & Jericho later in the night
Randy Orton and Chris Jericho kicked off Monday Night Raw by contesting JBL's No. 1 contendership to the World Heavyweight Championship. Though Stephanie McMahon denied their request to face one another for the honor, she did officially enter both of the Superstars in the Royal Rumble Match. The Executive Vice President neglected to enter Shawn Michaels, however, at the request of his employer, JBL, who wanted HBK to focus on assisting him in his Royal Rumble title match. McMahon then set the night's main event as a tag team bout pitting the team of Orton & Jericho against Shawn Michaels & World Heavyweight Champion John Cena, the Superstar HBK's boss JBL will face at Royal Rumble.

Source: WWE.com

For those that missed the results from New Japan Pro Wrestling "Wrestle Kingdom III in Tokyo Dome", Team 3D captured the IWGP Tag Team Title. They are now the only tag team to ever hold the ECW, WWF/WWE, TNA, NWW, New Japan Pro Wrestling, All Japan Pro Wrestling, HUSTLE and WCW Tag Team Title. The Motor City Machine Guns also captured the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Title.

Expect more talent from the New Japan Pro Wrestling to be making TNA appearances soon.

Here is the results for New Japan Pro Wrestling "Wrestle Kingdom III in Tokyo Dome" which took place at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan on Sunday, January 4, 2008:

• Milano Collection AT, Minoru and Taichi Ishikari def. Mitsuhide Hirasawa, Kazuchika Okada and Nobuo Yoshihashi

• Wrestle Kingdom Grand Opening VIENTO DORADO: Mistico, Ryusuke Taguchi and Prince Devitt def. Averno, Jado and Gedo

• Jushin Thunder Liger 20th Anniversary Match: Jushin Thunder Liger and Takuma Sano def. Wataru Inoue and Koji Kanemoto

• IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team Title ~Tread on!!~: Motor City Machine Guns (Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin) def. Yujiro and Tetsuya Naito (C) to become the 22nd champions

• IWGP Junior Heavyweight Title ~Ballistic interception~: Tiger Mask def. Low Ki (C) to become the 56th champion

• Fighting Holdings Competition: Riki Choshu, Masahiro Chono, Kurt Angle and Kevin Nash def. Giant Bernard, Takashi Iizuka, Tomohiro Ishii and Karl Anderson

• World Heavyweight Title ~Crusade for Justice~: Yuji Nagata (C) def. Masato Tanaka

• New Japan vs. NOAH Battle Tendencies ~the invasion~: Jun Akiyama def. Manabu Nakanishi

• IWGP Tag Team Title - Hardcore Rules: Team 3D (Brother Ray and Brother Devon) def. Togi Makabe and Toru Yano (C) to become the 52nd champions

• New Japan vs. NOAH Battle Tendencies ~the encounter~: Shinsuke Nakamura and Hirooki Goto def. Mitsuharu Misawa and Takashi Sugiura

• IWGP Heavyweight Title: Hiroshi Tanahashi def. Keiji Muto (C) to become the 50th champion

On Friday, Henry Waxman of the US House of Representatives from California's 30th district issued a report on the steroid problem in professional wrestling. In Waxman's report, it was revealed that fifteen of the sixty TNA wrestlers who were tested for drugs in January 2008 tested positive for steroids. Additionally, eleven other TNA wrestlers tested positive for various other drugs, so 43% of TNA roster were on drugs this time last year. Six wrestlers tested positive for marijuana, two wrestlers tested positive for benzodiazepines (such as xanax and valium), one wrestler tested positive for amphetamines, one wrestler tested positive for opiates and one wrestler tested positive for propoxyphene.

It should be noted that the TNA performers were warned in advance that they would be tested, and twenty-six still failed anyway. However, they were told that they would not be punished for this baseline round of testing.

Saying 43% of the TNA roster were on drugs this time last year is actually being kind. The drug testing was not just limited to the males as the females were tested as well. This time last year, there were fifteen active female performers on the roster including Angelina Love, Awesome Kong, Christy Hemme, Crystal Louthan, Gail Kim, Jackie Moore, Karen Angle, Payton Banks, ODB, Raisha Saeed, Roxxi Laveaux, Salinas, SoCal Val, Traci Brooks and Velvet Sky. Presumably, Sharmell was not tested as she was written out of television at the first TV broadcast of the year, which was a pay-per-view event, and the drug testing occurred prior to an iMPACT! taping later that month.

We have never heard of a female wrestling performer failing and/or getting suspended for drugs, so presumably all of the TNA Knockouts passed their respective drug tests. If you deduct the fifteen women from the sixty tested, that leaves forty-five male wrestlers. That would mean 33% of the male TNA performers were on steroids this time last year, with 58% of the male TNA roster being on any kind of drug.

Waxman concluded his report on TNA by saying "there are significant weaknesses in the TNA testing program".

Waxman issued a summary of TNA's drug testing results from January 2008.