WWE Tough Enough
Encyclopedia
WWE Tough Enough is a professional wrestling
reality television
program
produced by WWE wherein participants undergo professional wrestling training and compete for a contract with WWE. There were two winners per season for the first three seasons, all of which aired on MTV
. A fourth competition was held in 2004, with only a single winner, who was integrated into (at the time) UPN
's SmackDown!. In October 2010, it was announced that the USA Network
, currently airing WWE Raw
, would be reviving Tough Enough. It was paired with Raw. The revived series began airing on April 4, 2011, a day after WrestleMania XXVII
. The first three seasons were co-produced with MTV, while the revival is a co-production with Shed Media
. Repeat broadcasts of the revival series are shown on Universal HD
and have also aired recently on Oxygen
and G4
.
As of , there are no Tough Enough winners still wrestling for WWE, the last one being John Hennigan, who wrestled as John Morrison on the Raw
brand before his contract expired following his last appearance on November 28 2011. Hennigan and Tough Enough I winner Maven Huffman
are the only two Tough Enough winners to win championships in WWE. Hennigan has won the ECW Championship
, WWE Intercontinental Championship
, and the WWE Tag Team Championship
on multiple occasions. Huffman once held the WWE Hardcore Championship
. Christopher Nowinski
, who didn't win Tough Enough, also held the WWE Hardcore Championship. Mike Mizanin, who came in second place in the $1,000,000 Tough Enough and is better known as The Miz, has won the WWE Championship
once and the United States Championship
on two occasions. Together, John Morrison and The Miz also would become WWE Tag Team Champions
, World Tag Team Champions, and two-time Slammy Award winners. Josh Lomberger, better known as Josh Mathews, is currently the longest tenured WWE employee from the entire Tough Enough cast, eventually signing with WWE in 2002 and becoming an announcer and interviewer on a variety of WWE shows, including Raw
, SmackDown, Superstars
, NXT
and the now defunct ECW.
and Nidia Guenard
won the first season of Tough Enough. Only two contestants were actually cut from the competition; the others eliminated voluntarily exited. Of the final five contestants, four would eventually join the WWE. Nidia was released from WWE on November 3, 2004, while Maven was released on July 5, 2005.
Though they both survived the initial cut from 230 contestants down to 25, eventual season two winner Jackie Gayda
and former TNA Women's Knockout Champion
ODB (Jessica Kresa) were not selected among the final 13 contestants who appeared in season one. Current WWE ring announcer Justin Roberts
sent in an audition tape, which aired in a season one teaser on the January 25, 2001 edition of SmackDown!.
The first season of Tough Enough was released on DVD in 2002, as was the soundtrack.
Order of Elimination:
and Jackie Gayda
. The announcement of the winners offended members of the male finalists, who claimed that this was not what was promised when they signed forms to compete on Tough Enough, citing that the forms claimed there would be one male winner and one female winner. Eventually, Linda was released on November 12, 2004 and Jackie was released on July 5, 2005. Gayda would later marry wrestler Charlie Haas
.
Former WWE wrestler, Shad Gaspard
, former member of the tag team Cryme Tyme
, was chosen to be one of the final 13 contestants on the show but failed a drug test; he was subsequently replaced. Eventual season three winner John Hennigan made his official debut during the auditions and survived the first cut down to 25 contestants. Despite displaying well-tuned athletic ability, Hennigan's arrogance irritated the judges. It would be another year before Hennigan would make the show. Former WWE Diva and TNA Knockout Shelly Martinez
, as well as Kia Stevens
(otherwise known as former TNA Knockouts Champion Awesome Kong, who in 2010 received a contract with WWE and debuted the next year), also made brief appearances during the auditions, but did not make it through.
Order of Elimination:
. Hennigan, who wrestled for two years under the name Johnny Nitro before changing to the name John Morrison, is the most successful Tough Enough winner being a former ECW Champion
, a three-time Intercontinental Champion
, and he has held both the WWE World Tag Team Championship and the WWE Tag Team Championship
. Cappotelli was developing his talent further in WWE development territory Ohio Valley Wrestling
(OVW), but was diagnosed with a brain tumor
in December 2005, forcing him to step away from wrestling and relinquish his OVW Championship
. The tumor was removed in 2007, although it is unknown whether Cappotelli will return to professional wrestling.
WWE Diva
, Melina
, tried out for Tough Enough III and made it to the final 25, but was cut from the competition. During the tryouts, however, she met John Hennigan, and they eventually began a romantic relationship. She eventually received a WWE contract and worked for the company but was released on August 5, 2011. She worked as Melina on the Raw brand and became the first Tough Enough contestant to win the WWE Women's Championship
, a title she has held three times making her the most successful female Tough Enough contestant to enter WWE. Both Shawn Daivari
and Daniel Puder
are seen on film during audition episode. Both made it to the final 75, but were cut before they could make it to the training facility. Both men later went on as performers for WWE.
Order of Elimination:
In the cover story from the October 5, 2002 issue of the Pro Wrestling Torch Newsletter
, it was revealed that contestant "Lisa" was removed from the show after what was referred to as a "psychotic breakdown." After being left at the house while the other contestants went out to dinner, she began throwing herself against the walls of the house, eventually breaking into the hidden MTV control room and working her way onto the roof. After being talked down by producers, she was committed to a hospital facility to receive psychiatric treatment. Her parents flew in from New Mexico
to pick her up, but she physically attacked them, claiming she did not know them. She then escaped custody inside LAX
, shutting down a wing of the airport until she was located. Again, she was hospitalized, but she was able to check herself out shortly after. She then contacted Tough Enough producers, claiming she was ready to return to the show. Producers informed her she had been removed from the competition due to her actions. The other contestants (and, subsequently, the audience) were initially told that Lisa simply decided wrestling "wasn't the right career for her." Lisa then reemerged in Louisville, Kentucky
at the Ohio Valley Wrestling
training center, claiming that trainer Al Snow
and producer John "Big" Gaburick had sent her for additional training, both in the ring and to learn further about the structure of the developmental territory system. At a series of shows in California
in September 2002, she managed to talk her way backstage and was even allowed to assist with the pyrotechnics
for the wrestlers' entrances at a TV taping. One source claimed that she had a face-to-face conversation with Vince McMahon
, who was apparently unaware of her status with the Tough Enough program. Soon after, her photograph was circulated to security personnel, and she was barred from any backstage areas.
contract split evenly over four years with only the first year guaranteed. The winner of the fourth series, announced on December 14, 2004, and televised on December 16, 2004, was Daniel Puder
, an American professional mixed martial artist
. Puder competed in his second WWE pay-per-view event on January 30, 2005 as the third entrant in the 2005 Royal Rumble match
. Soon after, he was sent to OVW before eventually being released in September 2005.
On November 4, 2004, episode of SmackDown!, taped in St. Louis, Missouri
, during an unscripted
segment of Tough Enough, Kurt Angle
, a former American amateur wrestler
and 1996 Olympic
gold medalist, challenged the finalists through a squat thrust
competition. Chris Nawrocki won the competition, and the prize Nawrocki won was a match against Angle. Angle quickly took Nawrocki down, breaking his ribs, then made him tap out with a neck crank. After Angle defeated Nawrocki, Angle challenged the other finalists. Puder accepted Angle's challenge. Angle and Puder wrestled for position, with Angle taking Puder down, however, in the process, Puder locked Angle in a kimura lock. With Puder on his back and Angle's arm locked in the kimura, Angle attempted a pin, one of two referees in the ring, Jim Korderas
, quickly counted three to end the bout, despite the fact that Puder's shoulders weren't fully down on the mat, bridging up at two. Puder later claimed he would have snapped Angle's arm, thus making Angle tap out on national television, if Korderas had not ended the match. Dave Meltzer
and Dave Scherer gave these following comments:
Marty Wright
, who lied about his age during the auditions and was disqualified, later signed with WWE and competed as The Boogeyman.
A DVD of this season was released in 2005.
Other finalists were:
reported that USA Network
was considering expanding into reality programming with a revival of Tough Enough. The website also reported that the show was expected to "run in tandem with USA's WWE Raw series." On January 3, 2011, both The New York Times
and WWE further confirmed the revival, revealing that the revived series would begin airing Monday nights beginning on April 4, 2011, following WWE Raw, and a day after WrestleMania XXVII
. The following week, Tough Enough aired during its planned time slot before WWE Raw
. The revived series is a co-production with Shed Media.
Stone Cold Steve Austin
served as the show's Season 5 host while Booker T, Trish Stratus
and Bill DeMott
served as trainers. According to USA Network's episode guide, the 2011 season is referred to as "Season 1", therefore making no reference to its prior runs on other networks. In addition, although the premise of this show is similar to that of WWE NXT
, Tough Enough Season 5 ran concurrently with NXT and did not replace it.
Professional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
reality television
Reality television
Reality television is a genre of television programming that presents purportedly unscripted dramatic or humorous situations, documents actual events, and usually features ordinary people instead of professional actors, sometimes in a contest or other situation where a prize is awarded...
program
Television program
A television program , also called television show, is a segment of content which is intended to be broadcast on television. It may be a one-time production or part of a periodically recurring series...
produced by WWE wherein participants undergo professional wrestling training and compete for a contract with WWE. There were two winners per season for the first three seasons, all of which aired on MTV
MTV
MTV, formerly an initialism of Music Television, is an American network based in New York City that launched on August 1, 1981. The original purpose of the channel was to play music videos guided by on-air hosts known as VJs....
. A fourth competition was held in 2004, with only a single winner, who was integrated into (at the time) UPN
UPN
United Paramount Network was a television network that was broadcast in over 200 markets in the United States from 1995 to 2006. UPN was originally owned by Viacom/Paramount and Chris-Craft Industries, the former of which, through the Paramount Television Group, produced most of the network's...
's SmackDown!. In October 2010, it was announced that the USA Network
USA Network
USA Network is an American cable television channel launched in 1971. Once a minor player in basic cable, the network has steadily gained popularity because of breakout hits like Monk, Psych, Burn Notice, Royal Pains, Covert Affairs, White Collar, Monday Night RAW, Suits, and reruns of the various...
, currently airing WWE Raw
WWE RAW
WWE Raw ) is a sports entertainment television program for WWE that currently airs on the USA Network in the United States...
, would be reviving Tough Enough. It was paired with Raw. The revived series began airing on April 4, 2011, a day after WrestleMania XXVII
WrestleMania XXVII
WrestleMania XXVII was the twenty-seventh annual WrestleMania professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment , held on April 3, 2011 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia...
. The first three seasons were co-produced with MTV, while the revival is a co-production with Shed Media
Shed Media
Shed Media Group is a British creator and distributor of television content. The Group produces long-running television brands in drama, factual, documentary, factual entertainment, and history....
. Repeat broadcasts of the revival series are shown on Universal HD
Universal HD
Universal HD is an HDTV cable television network owned by NBCUniversal. The channel was known as Bravo HD+ until December 1, 2004. The network exclusively broadcasts in high definition 1080i...
and have also aired recently on Oxygen
Oxygen (TV channel)
Oxygen is an American cable television specialty channel with television programming marketed towards women, with a format similar to Lifetime.- History :...
and G4
G4 (TV channel)
G4, also known as G4 TV, is an American cable- and satellite-television channel originally geared primarily toward young adult viewers, originally based on the world of video games...
.
As of , there are no Tough Enough winners still wrestling for WWE, the last one being John Hennigan, who wrestled as John Morrison on the Raw
WWE RAW
WWE Raw ) is a sports entertainment television program for WWE that currently airs on the USA Network in the United States...
brand before his contract expired following his last appearance on November 28 2011. Hennigan and Tough Enough I winner Maven Huffman
Maven Huffman
Maven Klint Huffman is an American professional wrestler, best known for his appearances with World Wrestling Entertainment between October 2001 and July 5, 2005 under the name Maven. In 2008 he became a guest expert on the Home Shopping Network.-Early life:Maven was born to an African-American...
are the only two Tough Enough winners to win championships in WWE. Hennigan has won the ECW Championship
ECW World Heavyweight Championship
The Extreme Championship Wrestling World Heavyweight Championship was a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship in Extreme Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment...
, WWE Intercontinental Championship
WWE Intercontinental Championship
The WWE Intercontinental Championship is a professional wrestling championship in WWE. It is the original secondary title of the promotion. Currently, it is the secondary championship exclusive to the SmackDown brand...
, and the WWE Tag Team Championship
WWE Tag Team Championship
The WWE Tag Team Championship is a professional wrestling world tag team championship in WWE. It was established as a second title for tag teams in WWE in 2002 to complement the original World Tag Team Championship...
on multiple occasions. Huffman once held the WWE Hardcore Championship
WWE Hardcore Championship
The World Wrestling Entertainment Hardcore Championship is a hardcore wrestling championship in World Wrestling Entertainment and is contested under "hardcore" rules, meaning there is no disqualifications, no countouts, and pin falls could be counted anywhere...
. Christopher Nowinski
Christopher Nowinski
Christopher John Nowinski is an author and a former professional wrestler with World Wrestling Entertainment. Nowinski is renowned for being WWE's first Harvard alumnus, as he graduated with an A.B. in sociology. He is also recognized as the youngest Hardcore Champion in WWE history...
, who didn't win Tough Enough, also held the WWE Hardcore Championship. Mike Mizanin, who came in second place in the $1,000,000 Tough Enough and is better known as The Miz, has won the WWE Championship
WWE Championship
The WWE Championship is a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship in WWE. It is the world title of the Raw brand and one of two in WWE, complementing the World Heavyweight Championship of the SmackDown brand. It was established under the then WWWF in 1963...
once and the United States Championship
WWE United States Championship
The WWE United States Championship is a professional wrestling championship in WWE. It was originally a National Wrestling Alliance and World Championship Wrestling championship, and is currently the secondary championship of the Raw brand....
on two occasions. Together, John Morrison and The Miz also would become WWE Tag Team Champions
WWE Tag Team Championship
The WWE Tag Team Championship is a professional wrestling world tag team championship in WWE. It was established as a second title for tag teams in WWE in 2002 to complement the original World Tag Team Championship...
, World Tag Team Champions, and two-time Slammy Award winners. Josh Lomberger, better known as Josh Mathews, is currently the longest tenured WWE employee from the entire Tough Enough cast, eventually signing with WWE in 2002 and becoming an announcer and interviewer on a variety of WWE shows, including Raw
WWE RAW
WWE Raw ) is a sports entertainment television program for WWE that currently airs on the USA Network in the United States...
, SmackDown, Superstars
WWE Superstars
WWE Superstars is a professional wrestling television program produced by World Wrestling Entertainment that originally aired on WGN America in the United States. It debuted on April 16, 2009 and ended its domestic broadcasting on April 7, 2011...
, NXT
WWE NXT
WWE NXT is a sports entertainment television program produced by WWE that debuted on February 23, 2010. Described as a hybrid between reality television and WWE's scripted live event shows, the premise of the show follows select talent contracted to WWE's developmental territory Florida...
and the now defunct ECW.
Tough Enough
Maven HuffmanMaven Huffman
Maven Klint Huffman is an American professional wrestler, best known for his appearances with World Wrestling Entertainment between October 2001 and July 5, 2005 under the name Maven. In 2008 he became a guest expert on the Home Shopping Network.-Early life:Maven was born to an African-American...
and Nidia Guenard
Nidia Guenard
Nidia Guenard better known simply Nidia is a former professional wrestler who worked for World Wrestling Entertainment...
won the first season of Tough Enough. Only two contestants were actually cut from the competition; the others eliminated voluntarily exited. Of the final five contestants, four would eventually join the WWE. Nidia was released from WWE on November 3, 2004, while Maven was released on July 5, 2005.
Though they both survived the initial cut from 230 contestants down to 25, eventual season two winner Jackie Gayda
Jackie Gayda
Jacquelyn Gayda-Haas is an American semi-retired professional wrestler and valet, best known for her work on World Wrestling Entertainment 's Raw and SmackDown! brands and in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling as a TNA Knockout...
and former TNA Women's Knockout Champion
TNA Women's Knockout Championship
The TNA Women's Knockout Championship, often referred to simply as the Knockouts Championship, is a professional wrestling women's world championship owned by the Total Nonstop Action Wrestling promotion. It is primarily contested for in TNA's women's division...
ODB (Jessica Kresa) were not selected among the final 13 contestants who appeared in season one. Current WWE ring announcer Justin Roberts
Justin Roberts
Justin Jason Roberts is an American professional wrestling ring announcer, currently working for WWE appearing on its Raw brand.-Career:...
sent in an audition tape, which aired in a season one teaser on the January 25, 2001 edition of SmackDown!.
The first season of Tough Enough was released on DVD in 2002, as was the soundtrack.
Contestants
- Bobbie Jo Anderson
- Chris Nifong
- Christopher NowinskiChristopher NowinskiChristopher John Nowinski is an author and a former professional wrestler with World Wrestling Entertainment. Nowinski is renowned for being WWE's first Harvard alumnus, as he graduated with an A.B. in sociology. He is also recognized as the youngest Hardcore Champion in WWE history...
(a.k.a. Chris Harvard) (later joined the Raw brand but retired after suffering a severe concussion) - Darryl Cross
- Greg Whitmoyer (went to join various other promotions)
- Jason Dayberry
- Josh Lomberger (a.k.a. Josh Mathews) (later joined the SmackDown! brand as an announcer, currently a commentator on WWE SmackDown)
- Maven HuffmanMaven HuffmanMaven Klint Huffman is an American professional wrestler, best known for his appearances with World Wrestling Entertainment between October 2001 and July 5, 2005 under the name Maven. In 2008 he became a guest expert on the Home Shopping Network.-Early life:Maven was born to an African-American...
(winner) - Nidia GuenardNidia GuenardNidia Guenard better known simply Nidia is a former professional wrestler who worked for World Wrestling Entertainment...
(winner) - Paulina Thomas
- Shadrick McGee
- Taylor MathenyTaylor MathenyTaylor Ann Matheny is a retired American professional wrestler who competed in North American independent promotions including Ohio Valley Wrestling, a developmental territory of World Wrestling Entertainment...
- Victoria Tabor
Order of Elimination:
- Episode 1 Tom, after being selected to the final 13, refused to sign the MTV contract and was replaced by Greg.
- Episode 3 Jason quit because he could not handle the road life.
- Episode 4 Bobbie Jo and Victoria quit together because they could not handle the physicality.
- Episode 5 Darryl was cut for poor ability and attitude.
- Episode 6 Shadrick was cut due to ring struggles.
- Episode 7 Paulina dropped out due to severe leg and knee injuries sustained in the second episode.
- Episode 9 Greg was forced to quit due to three herniated discs.
- Episode 10 Chris Ni. quit after feeling it was not his time.
- Episode 13 Taylor, Chris No., and Josh were eliminated upon the announcement of Nidia and Maven as season one winners.
Episodes
| Title | Original airdate | Episode | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Casting Special" | June 21, 2001 | 1 | ||
| With more than 4,000 tapes sent into the company, 230 hopefuls came to The World to audition for the show, but only 13 were selected to make the trip to Stamford, Connecticut Stamford, Connecticut Stamford is a city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. According to the 2010 census, the population of the city is 122,643, making it the fourth largest city in the state and the eighth largest city in New England... to find out who is tough enough. |
||||
| "Welcome to the Jungle" | June 28, 2001 | 2 | ||
| The group meets Al Snow, Jacqueline, and Tori and begin their training. They also meet Tazz, who comes to their house unannounced one morning and forces them to wrestle in the mud and jog behind him while he rides in a Hummer Hummer Hummer was a brand of trucks and SUVs, first marketed in 1992 when AM General began selling a civilian version of the M998 Humvee. In 1998, General Motors purchased the brand name and marketed three vehicles: the original Hummer H1, based on the Humvee; and the H2 and H3 models that were... . |
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| "Jason Crumbles" | July 5, 2001 | 3 | ||
| Triple H Triple H Paul Michael Levesque is an American professional wrestler, professional wrestling authority figure, WWE Executive Vice President of Talent and actor, better known by his ring name Triple H, an abbreviation of the ring name, Hunter Hearst Helmsley... lectures the group about the reality and the integrity of the wrestling business—a reality that Jason decides he is not willing to be a part of and respects too much to waste. |
||||
| "If You Can't Stand the Heat" | July 12, 2001 | 4 | ||
| Bobbie Jo and Victoria decide that they do not belong in the wrestling business. When Maven and Josh kid around the house, a fire breaks out. Stephanie McMahon takes the girls out to lunch. When Al has to wrestle on SmackDown!, the group scores front row tickets to the show. | ||||
| "Dispatching Darryl" | July 19, 2001 | 5 | ||
| Darryl can't catch a break when he loses a bet in a game of darts Darts Darts is a form of throwing game where darts are thrown at a circular target fixed to a wall. Though various boards and games have been used in the past, the term "darts" usually now refers to a standardised game involving a specific board design and set of rules... to "Big", Josh, Greg, and Maven, and aggravates Chris Nowinski when he asks him for more money to cook dinner for Pat Patterson. Meanwhile, the trainers are not keen on his performance, either in the ring or out of it. |
||||
| "Tears Idle Tears" | July 26, 2001 | 6 | ||
| After a hard day in the ring, the group realizes that either Shadrick or Chris Ni. are going to be cut. Meanwhile, the kids visit a restaurant staffed entirely by transvestites, who quickly bring Maven, Greg, and Chris Nowinski on-stage. | ||||
| "A No-Win-Ski Situation" | August 2, 2001 | 7 | ||
| After Kurt Angle Kurt Angle Kurt Steven Angle is an American professional wrestler, amateur wrestler, and 1996 Olympic gold medalist. He is currently under contract with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he is recognized as a 15-time World Heavyweight Champion... visits the group and tells of how he broke into the wrestling business, the kids take a trip to the Bahamas where Chris Nowinski begins to annoy Josh, and Paulina suffers a knee injury which forces her to make a tough decision. |
||||
| "Dropping Like Flies" | August 9, 2001 | 8 | ||
| The Hardy Boyz Hardy Boyz The Hardy Boyz are a professional wrestling tag team, consisting of real-life brothers Matt and Jeff Hardy... and Lita Amy Dumas Amy Christine Dumas , known by her primary stage name Lita, is the lead singer for the band The Luchagors as well as a retired professional wrestler and WWE Diva active from 1999 to 2006.... visit the group. Meanwhile, Nidia and Josh injure themselves in the ring, while Greg aggravates an old back injury that puts his future in the competition in jeopardy. |
||||
| "The Vicious Circle" | August 16, 2001 | 9 | ||
| With the troupe feeling bruised and banged up, Al takes their mind off it by introducing them to "the circle game" and bets Chris Nowinski that he can beat him three times with it. After he loses, he must go to Yale University Yale University Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States... proclaiming that "Harvard Sucks." Meanwhile, Greg's doctor advises him that continuing to wrestle may be detrimental to his health. |
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| "Timing is Everything" | August 23, 2001 | 10 | ||
| When Maven learns that his mother's cancer has gotten worse, he leaves the house for a few days to care for her in the hospital. With Maven away, Josh begins to get lonely and contemplates leaving the competition. Meanwhile, Chris Ni, having earned the nickname "Career Killer", decides that it might not be his time to be a professional wrestler after Mick Foley Mick Foley Michael Francis "Mick" Foley, Sr. is an American semi-retired professional wrestler, author, comedian, actor, voice actor and former color commentator. He has worked for many wrestling promotions, including WWE, WCW, ECW and TNA. He is often referred to as "The Hardcore Legend", a nickname he... talks to the group. |
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| "The Rules of the Road" | August 30, 2001 | 11 | ||
| Al takes the kids on a three day trip to Backlash Backlash (2001) Backlash was a professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by the World Wrestling Federation promotion, which took place on April 29, 2001 at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois. It was the third event under the Backlash chronology... , Raw is War WWE RAW WWE Raw ) is a sports entertainment television program for WWE that currently airs on the USA Network in the United States... , and SmackDown! in order for them to experience what life as a WWF superstar on the road is like where they get a crash course in cutting promos from The Brooklyn Brawler Steve Lombardi Steve Lombardi is an Italian American professional wrestler, and road agent. He is also known by his ring name Brooklyn Brawler... . |
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| "No Hill Too Tall, Nor Water Too Deep" | September 20, 2001 | 12 | ||
| As the competition nears its end, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin Stone Cold Steve Austin Steve Austin , better known by his ring name "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, is an American film and television actor and retired professional wrestler... and Debra Debra Marshall Debra Gale Marshall is an American actress and former professional wrestling manager and WWE Diva. Arguably best known by her ring name, Debra, she gained recognition for her appearances with the World Wrestling Federation between 1998 and 2002.She began her career in professional wrestling in... visit the kids at home, "Big" holds one more physical challenge for the group at a rock quarry, and Josh must overcome his self-doubt in order to successfully execute a moonsault Moonsault A moonsault, moonsault press, or back flip splash is a professional wrestling aerial technique. Much of its popularity in American wrestling is attributed to The Great Muta, despite it being used in North America by "Leaping" Lanny Poffo years before Muta came from Japan.In a standard moonsault,... . |
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| "That's Not the Story" | September 27, 2001 | 13 | ||
| The kids wrestle against each other as Vince McMahon Vince McMahon Vincent Kennedy "Vince" McMahon is an American professional wrestling promoter, announcer, commentator, film producer, actor and former occasional professional wrestler. McMahon is the current Chairman, CEO and Chairman of the Executive Committee of professional wrestling promotion WWE... watches from ringside. The chairman has more in store for the troupe as they are called into his office at WWF headquarters. |
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| "The Beginning" | September 27, 2001 | 14 | ||
| After nine weeks together, through thick and thin, the kids have one final match against their trainers before returning to WWF New York to find out who has earned a WWF contract. | ||||
Tough Enough 2
The second season winners were Linda MilesLinda Miles
Linda M. Miles is an American former professional wrestler and manager. She worked under the ring name Shaniqua for World Wrestling Entertainment's SmackDown! brand between 2002 and 2004. Miles was one of two female winners from WWE Tough Enough season two.-Basketball:Miles was a member of the...
and Jackie Gayda
Jackie Gayda
Jacquelyn Gayda-Haas is an American semi-retired professional wrestler and valet, best known for her work on World Wrestling Entertainment 's Raw and SmackDown! brands and in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling as a TNA Knockout...
. The announcement of the winners offended members of the male finalists, who claimed that this was not what was promised when they signed forms to compete on Tough Enough, citing that the forms claimed there would be one male winner and one female winner. Eventually, Linda was released on November 12, 2004 and Jackie was released on July 5, 2005. Gayda would later marry wrestler Charlie Haas
Charlie Haas
Charles "Charlie" Doyle Haas II is an American professional wrestler and former collegiate amateur wrestler. He competes on the independent circuit, and is signed to Ring of Honor , where he is one-half of the reigning ROH World Tag Team Champions with Shelton Benjamin...
.
Former WWE wrestler, Shad Gaspard
Shad Gaspard
Shad Chad Javier Romane Chittick Gaspard is an American professional wrestler of Haitian and Curaçaon descent, currently signed with Inoki Genome Federation...
, former member of the tag team Cryme Tyme
Cryme Tyme
For animated series named Crime Time, visit Crime TimeCryme Tyme was a professional wrestling tag team that was signed to WWE.The team consisted of JTG and Shad , an over-the-top parody of stereotypical street thugs.-Early lives:Of Haitian and...
, was chosen to be one of the final 13 contestants on the show but failed a drug test; he was subsequently replaced. Eventual season three winner John Hennigan made his official debut during the auditions and survived the first cut down to 25 contestants. Despite displaying well-tuned athletic ability, Hennigan's arrogance irritated the judges. It would be another year before Hennigan would make the show. Former WWE Diva and TNA Knockout Shelly Martinez
Shelly Martinez
Shelly Leonor Martinez is a Mexican American model, actress, professional wrestler and valet. She is known for her work with World Wrestling Entertainment on its ECW brand under the ring name Ariel and for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling under the ring name Salinas as valet to The Latin American...
, as well as Kia Stevens
Kia Stevens
Kia Michelle Stevens , better known by her ring names Amazing Kong, Awesome Kong and Kharma. She is signed with WWE, but has been inactive since May 2011 due to pregnancy...
(otherwise known as former TNA Knockouts Champion Awesome Kong, who in 2010 received a contract with WWE and debuted the next year), also made brief appearances during the auditions, but did not make it through.
Trainers
- Al SnowAl SnowAllen Ray Sarven is an American professional wrestler and actor better known by his ring name of Al Snow. He is best known for his work in Extreme Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment and currently works for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling as a road agent.-Early career:Sarven...
- Hardcore HollyBob HollyRobert "Bob" Howard better known by his ring name Bob "Hardcore" Holly, is a American professional wrestler. He is best known for his 15-year stint with World Wrestling Entertainment ....
- Chavo GuerreroChavo Guerrero, Jr.Salvador "Chavo" Guerrero IV also known as Chavo Guerrero and Chavo Guerrero, Jr., is a third generation Mexican-American professional wrestler and member of the famed Guerrero wrestling family who was well known for working with World Wrestling Entertainment and World Championship Wrestling...
- IvoryLisa MorettiLisa Moretti is a retired American professional wrestler. She is best known for her appearances with World Wrestling Entertainment between 1999 and 2005 under the ring name Ivory...
Contestants
- Aaron
- Alicia
- Anni
- Danny
- Hawk
- JackieJackie GaydaJacquelyn Gayda-Haas is an American semi-retired professional wrestler and valet, best known for her work on World Wrestling Entertainment 's Raw and SmackDown! brands and in Total Nonstop Action Wrestling as a TNA Knockout...
(winner) - Jake
- JessieJessie WardJessie Lynn Ward is a former American professional wrestler who was forced to retire after being diagnosed with vasovagal syncope.-Private life:...
- KennyKenny LayneKenny Layne is an American professional wrestler, better known by his ring name, Kenny King. King currently wrestles for Ring of Honor. He was a contestant in the second season of WWF Tough Enough.-Early life:...
(would later go on to wrestle for TNATotal Nonstop Action WrestlingTotal Nonstop Action Wrestling is a privately held professional wrestling promotion founded by Jeff Jarrett and Jerry Jarrett. The company broadcasts its events on television and the Internet fifty two weeks a year with over a million weekly viewers on its primary television program, Impact...
and Ring of HonorRing of HonorRing of Honor ' is an American professional wrestling promotion, founded in 2002 by Rob Feinstein and Gabe Sapolsky. From 2004 to 2011, the promotion was under the ownership of Cary Silkin before being sold to the Sinclair Broadcast Group in May 2011...
) - LindaLinda MilesLinda M. Miles is an American former professional wrestler and manager. She worked under the ring name Shaniqua for World Wrestling Entertainment's SmackDown! brand between 2002 and 2004. Miles was one of two female winners from WWE Tough Enough season two.-Basketball:Miles was a member of the...
(winner) - Matt (would later go on to wrestle for WWE and TNA)
- Peter
- Robert
Order of Elimination:
- Episode 3: Aaron was cut because he could not physically catch up with the rest of the group's speed. That caused him to pass out on the beach while exercising.
- Episode 3: Robert was cut because he was struggling with all the physicality in and out of the ring; thus, he tired out more easily than others.
- Episode 5: Danny was cut because he lacked charisma while trying to perform an interview for the trainers.
- Episode 6: Matt left because he tore a ligament in his right knee, and his doctor told him it would not be safe to continue wrestling in the ring.
- Episode 7: Alicia was cut because she had an injury which it hindered her from continuing to wrestle in the ring.
- Episode 7: Jessie left because she was diagnosed with a heart condition.
- Episode 11: Hawk left because he became concerned about his performance in the ring.
- Episode 12: Pete and Anni were cut because they couldn't keep up in the ring as well as the others.
- Episode 13: Jake and Kenny were joint runners-up after Linda and Jackie were announced the winners of Tough Enough 2.
Tough Enough III
The third season was won by John Hennigan and Matt CappotelliMatt Cappotelli
Matthew Lee "Matt" Cappotelli is an American professional wrestler, last working in Ohio Valley Wrestling, which was the primary developmental territory for World Wrestling Entertainment until February 7, 2008...
. Hennigan, who wrestled for two years under the name Johnny Nitro before changing to the name John Morrison, is the most successful Tough Enough winner being a former ECW Champion
ECW World Heavyweight Championship
The Extreme Championship Wrestling World Heavyweight Championship was a professional wrestling world heavyweight championship in Extreme Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment...
, a three-time Intercontinental Champion
WWE Intercontinental Championship
The WWE Intercontinental Championship is a professional wrestling championship in WWE. It is the original secondary title of the promotion. Currently, it is the secondary championship exclusive to the SmackDown brand...
, and he has held both the WWE World Tag Team Championship and the WWE Tag Team Championship
WWE Tag Team Championship
The WWE Tag Team Championship is a professional wrestling world tag team championship in WWE. It was established as a second title for tag teams in WWE in 2002 to complement the original World Tag Team Championship...
. Cappotelli was developing his talent further in WWE development territory Ohio Valley Wrestling
Ohio Valley Wrestling
Ohio Valley Wrestling is an American independent professional wrestling promotion based in Louisville, Kentucky. OVW is run by owner Danny Davis and was a member of the National Wrestling Alliance from 1997 until 2000...
(OVW), but was diagnosed with a brain tumor
Brain tumor
A brain tumor is an intracranial solid neoplasm, a tumor within the brain or the central spinal canal.Brain tumors include all tumors inside the cranium or in the central spinal canal...
in December 2005, forcing him to step away from wrestling and relinquish his OVW Championship
OVW Heavyweight Championship
The OVW Heavyweight Championship is a professional wrestling heavyweight championship owned by the Ohio Valley Wrestling promotion. The title was introduced on August 17, 1997 at an OVW live event, then known as the NWA-OVW Heavyweight Championship due to OVW's relationship with the National...
. The tumor was removed in 2007, although it is unknown whether Cappotelli will return to professional wrestling.
WWE Diva
WWE Diva
Diva is a term used by World Wrestling Entertainment , an American professional wrestling promotion, to refer to its female talent. The term is applied to women who appear as wrestlers, managers or valets, backstage interviewers, or ring announcers....
, Melina
Melina Perez
Melina Nava Perez is an American professional wrestler currently signed to Women Superstars Uncensored. She is best known for her time with World Wrestling Entertainment under the ring mononym Melina....
, tried out for Tough Enough III and made it to the final 25, but was cut from the competition. During the tryouts, however, she met John Hennigan, and they eventually began a romantic relationship. She eventually received a WWE contract and worked for the company but was released on August 5, 2011. She worked as Melina on the Raw brand and became the first Tough Enough contestant to win the WWE Women's Championship
WWE Women's Championship
The WWE Women's Championship was a professional wrestling championship in the World Wrestling Entertainment promotion. Created in 1956, it was the oldest active professional wrestling championship in World Wrestling Entertainment history until its retirement in 2010 as a result from a unification...
, a title she has held three times making her the most successful female Tough Enough contestant to enter WWE. Both Shawn Daivari
Shawn Daivari
Dara Daivari is an Iranian American professional wrestler, currently performing on the American independent circuit as Shawn Daivari. He is best known for his work with World Wrestling Entertainment as simply Daivari and with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling as Sheik Abdul Bashir.-Career:Daivari...
and Daniel Puder
Daniel Puder
Daniel Puder is an American professional mixed martial artist, who is currently undefeated in MMA competition, holding a a record of eight wins and zero losses...
are seen on film during audition episode. Both made it to the final 75, but were cut before they could make it to the training facility. Both men later went on as performers for WWE.
Contestants
- Eric
- Jamie
- Jill
- John (winner) (would go on to WWE under the names Johnny Nitro and John Morrison, and has won numerous championships there.)
- Jonah
- Nick
- Justin
- Kelly
- Lisa
- MattMatt CappotelliMatthew Lee "Matt" Cappotelli is an American professional wrestler, last working in Ohio Valley Wrestling, which was the primary developmental territory for World Wrestling Entertainment until February 7, 2008...
(winner) - Chad
- Rebekah
- Scott
Order of Elimination:
- Episode 2: Jill quit after the very first day of training. The trainers were all annoyed and labeled her as a "quitter" because she never put forth her best effort.
- Episode 3: Lisa left because she decided wrestling wasn't the right career for her (see below).
- Episode 4: Chad was cut because of his lack of ability to keep up the pace with the rest of the group.
- Episode 5: Rebekah left because she had a family emergency back at home and could not continue in the competition.
- Episode 6: Nick was cut because he had a shoulder injury, and he lacked the ability to perform certain tasks in the ring.
- Episode 7: Scott was cut because of his lack of ability to keep up with the rest of the group.
- Episode 8: Kelly was cut because she had a serious back injury, and she was beginning to fall behind everybody else when learning new moves.
- Episode 11: Justin was cut because he lacked aggression in the ring as well as a competitive spirit.
- Episode 14: Jamie, Eric and Jonah were eliminated, and Matt and John were announced the winners of Tough Enough III.
In the cover story from the October 5, 2002 issue of the Pro Wrestling Torch Newsletter
Pro Wrestling Torch Newsletter
Pro Wrestling Torch Weekly is a wrestling newsletter. It was founded in 1987 by Wade Keller. It has been a primary source for insider information, commentaries, and interviews for 20 years....
, it was revealed that contestant "Lisa" was removed from the show after what was referred to as a "psychotic breakdown." After being left at the house while the other contestants went out to dinner, she began throwing herself against the walls of the house, eventually breaking into the hidden MTV control room and working her way onto the roof. After being talked down by producers, she was committed to a hospital facility to receive psychiatric treatment. Her parents flew in from New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
to pick her up, but she physically attacked them, claiming she did not know them. She then escaped custody inside LAX
Los Angeles International Airport
Los Angeles International Airport is the primary airport serving the Greater Los Angeles Area, the second-most populated metropolitan area in the United States. It is most often referred to by its IATA airport code LAX, with the letters pronounced individually...
, shutting down a wing of the airport until she was located. Again, she was hospitalized, but she was able to check herself out shortly after. She then contacted Tough Enough producers, claiming she was ready to return to the show. Producers informed her she had been removed from the competition due to her actions. The other contestants (and, subsequently, the audience) were initially told that Lisa simply decided wrestling "wasn't the right career for her." Lisa then reemerged in Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
at the Ohio Valley Wrestling
Ohio Valley Wrestling
Ohio Valley Wrestling is an American independent professional wrestling promotion based in Louisville, Kentucky. OVW is run by owner Danny Davis and was a member of the National Wrestling Alliance from 1997 until 2000...
training center, claiming that trainer Al Snow
Al Snow
Allen Ray Sarven is an American professional wrestler and actor better known by his ring name of Al Snow. He is best known for his work in Extreme Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment and currently works for Total Nonstop Action Wrestling as a road agent.-Early career:Sarven...
and producer John "Big" Gaburick had sent her for additional training, both in the ring and to learn further about the structure of the developmental territory system. At a series of shows in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
in September 2002, she managed to talk her way backstage and was even allowed to assist with the pyrotechnics
Pyrotechnics
Pyrotechnics is the science of using materials capable of undergoing self-contained and self-sustained exothermic chemical reactions for the production of heat, light, gas, smoke and/or sound...
for the wrestlers' entrances at a TV taping. One source claimed that she had a face-to-face conversation with Vince McMahon
Vince McMahon
Vincent Kennedy "Vince" McMahon is an American professional wrestling promoter, announcer, commentator, film producer, actor and former occasional professional wrestler. McMahon is the current Chairman, CEO and Chairman of the Executive Committee of professional wrestling promotion WWE...
, who was apparently unaware of her status with the Tough Enough program. Soon after, her photograph was circulated to security personnel, and she was barred from any backstage areas.
$1,000,000 Tough Enough (Season 4)
The fourth Tough Enough competition was conducted as part of WWE's SmackDown! brand between October and December 2004 in response to Raw holding the first annual "Raw Diva Search" contest. The prize was a $1,000,000 professional wrestlingProfessional wrestling
Professional wrestling is a mode of spectacle, combining athletics and theatrical performance.Roland Barthes, "The World of Wrestling", Mythologies, 1957 It takes the form of events, held by touring companies, which mimic a title match combat sport...
contract split evenly over four years with only the first year guaranteed. The winner of the fourth series, announced on December 14, 2004, and televised on December 16, 2004, was Daniel Puder
Daniel Puder
Daniel Puder is an American professional mixed martial artist, who is currently undefeated in MMA competition, holding a a record of eight wins and zero losses...
, an American professional mixed martial artist
Mixed martial arts
Mixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be...
. Puder competed in his second WWE pay-per-view event on January 30, 2005 as the third entrant in the 2005 Royal Rumble match
Royal Rumble (2005)
Royal Rumble was the eighteenth annual Royal Rumble professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment . It took place on January 30, 2005 at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California and featured talent from both the Raw and SmackDown! brands...
. Soon after, he was sent to OVW before eventually being released in September 2005.
On November 4, 2004, episode of SmackDown!, taped in St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
, during an unscripted
Shoot (professional wrestling)
A shoot in professional wrestling is a term that refers to any unplanned, unscripted or real-life occurrence within a wrestling event. Contrary to popular belief, the name does not originate from "shooting in" for a takedown, as in amateur wrestling - rather it is a carny term shortened from...
segment of Tough Enough, Kurt Angle
Kurt Angle
Kurt Steven Angle is an American professional wrestler, amateur wrestler, and 1996 Olympic gold medalist. He is currently under contract with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, where he is recognized as a 15-time World Heavyweight Champion...
, a former American amateur wrestler
Amateur wrestling
Amateur wrestling is the most widespread form of sport wrestling. There are two international wrestling styles performed in the Olympic Games under the supervision of FILA : Greco-Roman and freestyle. Freestyle is possibly derived from the English Lancashire style...
and 1996 Olympic
1996 Summer Olympics
The 1996 Summer Olympics of Atlanta, officially known as the Games of the XXVI Olympiad and unofficially known as the Centennial Olympics, was an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1996 in Atlanta, Georgia, United States....
gold medalist, challenged the finalists through a squat thrust
Squat thrust
A squat thrust is a calisthenic exercise. Similar to a Burpee it typically is performed as follows:# From a standing position, drop to a squat position with your hands on the ground near your feet....
competition. Chris Nawrocki won the competition, and the prize Nawrocki won was a match against Angle. Angle quickly took Nawrocki down, breaking his ribs, then made him tap out with a neck crank. After Angle defeated Nawrocki, Angle challenged the other finalists. Puder accepted Angle's challenge. Angle and Puder wrestled for position, with Angle taking Puder down, however, in the process, Puder locked Angle in a kimura lock. With Puder on his back and Angle's arm locked in the kimura, Angle attempted a pin, one of two referees in the ring, Jim Korderas
Jim Korderas
__FORCETOC__Demetrius Korderas , better known by his referee name, Jim "Jimmy" Korderas is a Canadian professional wrestling referee who worked for World Wrestling Entertainment for over 22 years.-Early career:...
, quickly counted three to end the bout, despite the fact that Puder's shoulders weren't fully down on the mat, bridging up at two. Puder later claimed he would have snapped Angle's arm, thus making Angle tap out on national television, if Korderas had not ended the match. Dave Meltzer
Dave Meltzer
David A. Meltzer is the editor of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter . Sports Illustrated senior writer Frank Deford has praised Meltzer's work, saying that "Meltzer, I believe, is the most accomplished reporter in sports journalism." Meltzer has written for the Oakland Tribune, the Los Angeles...
and Dave Scherer gave these following comments:
Marty Wright
Marty Wright
Martin "Marty" Wright is an American professional wrestler and actor best known for his time with World Wrestling Entertainment under the ring name The Boogeyman.-Tough Enough:...
, who lied about his age during the auditions and was disqualified, later signed with WWE and competed as The Boogeyman.
A DVD of this season was released in 2005.
Other finalists were:
- Nick MitchellNick MitchellNicholas Cole "Nick" Mitchell is an American professional wrestler who is best known for his work in World Wrestling Entertainment as Mitch of the Spirit Squad on the Raw brand. Before starting a wrestling career, Mitchell played football for the Beaumont Drillers while at Blinn College...
(later joined WWE, most notably as Mitch of the Spirit SquadSpirit SquadThe Spirit Squad was a professional wrestling stable in World Wrestling Entertainment and Ohio Valley Wrestling that consisted of Kenny, Johnny, Mitch, Nicky, and Mikey. The team's ring personas were those of an all-male cheerleading squad....
, was released in May 2007, went into training in MMAMixed martial artsMixed Martial Arts is a full contact combat sport that allows the use of both striking and grappling techniques, both standing and on the ground, including boxing, wrestling, Brazilian jiu-jitsu, muay Thai, kickboxing, karate, judo and other styles. The roots of modern mixed martial arts can be...
.) - Mike Mizanin (later joined WWE, he now wrestles under the Raw brand as "The Miz". He is the first, and so far only, Tough Enough contestant to win a world title in WWE (excluding John Morrison's ECW Championship reign))
- Chris Nawrocki (later signed a developmental contract but was released in 2005)
- Justice Smith (later a Gladiator on American GladiatorsAmerican Gladiators (2008 TV series)American Gladiators is an American competition TV show that aired on NBC and Citytv in Canada. Hosted by Hulk Hogan and Laila Ali, the show matches amateur athletes against each other and the show's own "gladiators" in contests of strength, agility, and endurance...
) - Ryan Reeves (later joined WWE but was released in January 2007. Signed another contract in Fall 2008. Competes on the Raw brand as Skip Sheffield)
- Daniel RodimerDaniel RodimerDaniel Rodimer is an American former professional wrestler better known by the ring name Dan Rodman. He is best known for his work with World Wrestling Entertainment wrestling on its Raw brand .-Career:Before wrestling, Rodimer played football at the University of South Florida, where he was a...
(later signed to a development contract but was released in August 2007 to return to real estate)
Revival (Season 5)
On October 18, 2010, the television website Deadline.comDeadline.com
Deadline.com, part of Jay Penske's PMC, is an online magazine, founded and edited by Nikki Finke.-Publication:The site is updated several times a day, with the infotainment industry as its focus.-History:...
reported that USA Network
USA Network
USA Network is an American cable television channel launched in 1971. Once a minor player in basic cable, the network has steadily gained popularity because of breakout hits like Monk, Psych, Burn Notice, Royal Pains, Covert Affairs, White Collar, Monday Night RAW, Suits, and reruns of the various...
was considering expanding into reality programming with a revival of Tough Enough. The website also reported that the show was expected to "run in tandem with USA's WWE Raw series." On January 3, 2011, both The New York Times
The New York Times
The New York Times is an American daily newspaper founded and continuously published in New York City since 1851. The New York Times has won 106 Pulitzer Prizes, the most of any news organization...
and WWE further confirmed the revival, revealing that the revived series would begin airing Monday nights beginning on April 4, 2011, following WWE Raw, and a day after WrestleMania XXVII
WrestleMania XXVII
WrestleMania XXVII was the twenty-seventh annual WrestleMania professional wrestling pay-per-view event produced by World Wrestling Entertainment , held on April 3, 2011 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, Georgia...
. The following week, Tough Enough aired during its planned time slot before WWE Raw
WWE RAW
WWE Raw ) is a sports entertainment television program for WWE that currently airs on the USA Network in the United States...
. The revived series is a co-production with Shed Media.
Stone Cold Steve Austin
Stone Cold Steve Austin
Steve Austin , better known by his ring name "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, is an American film and television actor and retired professional wrestler...
served as the show's Season 5 host while Booker T, Trish Stratus
Trish Stratus
Patricia Anne Stratigias , better known by her ring name Trish Stratus, is a Canadian professional wrestler, actress and television personality currently signed with WWE. She is also a former fitness model....
and Bill DeMott
Bill DeMott
William Charles "Bill" DeMott II is an American professional wrestler, best known for his appearances with World Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment as Hugh Morrus and Bill DeMott respectively and as Crash The Terminator in Extreme Championship Wrestling and Japan...
served as trainers. According to USA Network's episode guide, the 2011 season is referred to as "Season 1", therefore making no reference to its prior runs on other networks. In addition, although the premise of this show is similar to that of WWE NXT
WWE NXT
WWE NXT is a sports entertainment television program produced by WWE that debuted on February 23, 2010. Described as a hybrid between reality television and WWE's scripted live event shows, the premise of the show follows select talent contracted to WWE's developmental territory Florida...
, Tough Enough Season 5 ran concurrently with NXT and did not replace it.
Contestants
| # | |Contestants | |Episodes | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | ||
| 1 | Andy Leavine Andy Leavine Andrew "Andy" Leavine is an American professional wrestler who is signed to WWE. Leavine is the winner of the fifth season of WWE Tough Enough and wrestles for WWE's developmental territory, Florida Championship Wrestling.... |
SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | RISK | FINAL 2 | WINNER |
| 2 | Luke Robinson Luke Robinson (wrestler) Luke Robinson is an American professional wrestler. Robinson was the runner-up on WWE Tough Enough.-Early career:At the age of fifteen, Robinson and his friends would put on shows in Robinson's basement with strobe lights, and even had a work belt that they used as a championship belt... |
HIGH | HIGH | SAFE | SAFE | RISK | HIGH | SAFE | SAFE | FINAL 2 | RUNNER UP |
| 3 | Jeremiah Riggs Jeremiah Riggs Jeremiah Riggs is an American professional wrestler, and mixed martial artist who competes in the welterweight and middleweight divisions. A professional MMA competitor since 2007, Riggs has made a name for himself mainly fighting in the Midwest, and his homestate of Mississippi... |
SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | OUT | |
| 4 | A.J. Kirsch | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | RISK | SAFE | OUT | ||
| 5 | Christina Crawford | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | RISK | SAFE | SAFE | OUT | ||
| 6 | Martin Casaus | SAFE | SAFE | HIGH | HIGH | HIGH | SAFE | INJ | |||
| 7 | Ivelisse Velez | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | INJ | ||||
| 8 | Eric Watts | RISK | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | SAFE | OUT | ||||
| 9 | Ryan Howe | SAFE | RISK | RISK | SAFE | OUT | |||||
| 10 | Rima Fakih Rima Fakih Rima Fakih is an American beauty pageant contestant, and winner of the 2010 Miss USA title, and is also training to be a professional wrestler in WWE as a WWE Diva. She represented the state of Michigan in the Miss USA 2010 pageant, having previously won the 2010 Miss Michigan USA competition... |
SAFE | RISK | RISK | OUT | ||||||
| 11 | Mickael Zaki | SAFE | SAFE | OUT | |||||||
| 12 | Michelle Deighton | RISK | SAFE | QUIT | |||||||
| 13 | Matt Capiccioni | SAFE | OUT | ||||||||
| 14 | Ariane Andrew Ariane Andrew Ariane Nicole Andrew is an American professional wrestler, manager and ring announcer, currently working for WWE in their developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling , under the ring name Cameron Lynn... |
OUT | |||||||||
- The contestant won the Tough Enough competition
- The contestant performed best in the skills challenge.
- The contestant was safe from elimination.
- The contestant was at risk of elimination.
- The contestant was selected to go into the final 3.
- The contestant was eliminated.
- The contestant left the competition.
- The contestant was forced by injury to withdraw from the competition.
- The contestant won the skills challenge but was eliminated.
- The contestant was the runner up.
- Episode 1: Ariane was eliminated as Steve Austin and the trainers felt she did not have passion for wrestling.
- Episode 2: Matt was eliminated for not breaking free of the pack even though he has 9 years of experience.This was seen as a controversial decision by a lot of internet wrestling fans due to his experience and in ring ability.
- Episode 3: Michelle quit so she could be with her daughter. Mickael was eliminated when Ryan performed a better promo.
- Episode 4: Rima was eliminated after showing no improvement during the past month.
- Episode 5: Ryan was eliminated because of his performance and for being in the bottom 3 three times in a row.
- Episode 6: Ivelisse was eliminated due to an injury. Eric was eliminated for not improving.
- Episode 7: Martin was forced out as he fractured his ankle and was not allowed to continue.
- Episode 8: Christina was eliminated for not showing any charisma. A.J. was eliminated because of his performance prior to charisma week, even after winning the skills challenge.
- Episode 9: Jeremiah was eliminated when his inexperience caught up to him.
- Episode 10: Andy was chosen as the winner of Tough Enough with Luke being the runner-up.
Episodes
| Title | Original airdate | Episode | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Get Your Teeth Out of My Ring" | April 4, 2011 | 1 | ||
| WWE legend "Stone Cold" Steve Austin Stone Cold Steve Austin Steve Austin , better known by his ring name "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, is an American film and television actor and retired professional wrestler... has selected 14 men and women to compete to become the next WWE Superstar or Diva. Steve welcomes them at the WWE SmackDown arena, but the only part they will play in tonight's show is doing clean up duty backstage. Steve puts all the contestants through "Three Minutes of Hell" by running the ropes. Jeremiah runs so hard he blows his false teeth out. Rima is caught cheating when Steve and the trainers notice she has padded her ass for the challenge. After deliberating on the best and worst, Steve announces the Worst Three: Ariane, Eric and Michelle. Eric finally shows some fire when he talks about his personal motivation for winning the WWE contract. Steve questions Michelle's ability to live on the road with a baby daughter at home, but it's Ariane's lack of experience that proves to be her downfall. Steve asks for her belt and eliminates her from the competition. |
||||
| "Five for Flinching" | April 11, 2011 | 2 | ||
| The next day at the training center, Steve Austin introduces courage as the theme for this week's challenges. Trish Stratus Trish Stratus Patricia Anne Stratigias , better known by her ring name Trish Stratus, is a Canadian professional wrestler, actress and television personality currently signed with WWE. She is also a former fitness model.... puts Matt, a ten-year pro, through a personality drill. Impressed, she sends him to the ring for an exhibition match with Luke. However, Matt fades into the background as Luke takes control of the match. The next day, Steve Austin puts the courage of the contestants to the test when he brings them outside to try to outrun police attack dogs. Rima is 20 minutes late to the skills challenge. In the skills challenge, the contestants are squashed in the corner and then body slammed five times by Bill DeMott. After deliberating on the best and worst, Steve announces the Bottom Three: Ryan, Rima, and Matt. In the ring, Steve Austin scolds Rima for her tardiness but praises her mental toughness. While Steve believes that Ryan may be "too nice" for the business, it is Matt who is eliminated due to his hesitance in demonstrating his skills. John Cena John Cena John Felix Anthony Cena is an American professional wrestler, actor, rapper, and television personality. He is currently signed to WWE as a member of its WWE Raw brand.... guest stars. |
||||
| "Bad Day. Real Bad Day" | April 18, 2011 | 3 | ||
| Bill sends the contestants on a grueling run. Luke comes in first, and Rima beats all of the women and some of the men. Eric's poor physical condition puts him in last place. The contestants are then sent to the gym for a training session. Mickael shows poor technique and is relegated to working with the beginners. On day two, as Steve enters to announce the life lesson Michelle interrupts him to announce her decision to quit. Her daughter is more important to her than the competition – a decision Steve respects. Out on the field, the rest of the contestants take on their new Life Lesson – to learn a cheerleading drill and perform it at Universal City Walk. On day three Steve begins the next Skills Challenge: Chain of Command. Martin is declared the winner after Eric tires out. Steve and the trainers announce the bottom three – Ryan, Rima and Mickael. At the elimination ceremony, Steve is impressed that Rima asked for one-on-one help and sends her back to the house. Steve pits rivals Ryan and Mickael against each other in a promo duel. Ryan impresses Steve with his passion, and Steve decides to send Mickael home. Big Show and Stacy Keibler Stacy Keibler Stacy Keibler is an American actress, model, and former professional wrestler and valet, best known for her work with World Championship Wrestling and World Wrestling Entertainment .... guest star. |
||||
| "110 Pound Elephant in the Room" | April 25, 2011 | 4 | ||
| Rima receives a one-on-one midnight training session with Bill. Bill puts her through a grueling workout. The next day, Steve introduces the theme of agility. The test for the day is a series of leaps over the top rope of the ring. Luke and Jeremiah both excel. The next day, the contestants are sent to Friscoe's, a 50's style diner, and are told that they will be working as waiters and waitresses – on roller-skates. At the Skills Challenge the following day, the cast is given a sequence of moves to perform to test their agility. The challenge comes down to Andy, Martin and Luke. Martin wins the challenge. Steve Austin returns to announce the bottom three. He calls Rima's name then tells her he's not going to call anyone else and eliminates her on the spot. Rima heads back to the house to pack up her bags. She brings Steve Austin her Tough Enough belt. Despite her drawbacks in the ring, Austin tells her that there are other ways to break into the business, and she may still have a future in it. Bret Hart Bret Hart Bret Hart is a Canadian on-screen personality, writer, actor and Semi-retired professional wrestler. Like others in the Hart wrestling family, Hart has an amateur wrestling background, including wrestling at Ernest Manning High School and Mount Royal College... guest stars. |
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| "Don't Mistake My Kindness for Weakness" | May 2, 2011 | 5 | ||
| The theme this week is teamwork. The contestants play basketball against a professional team of dwarf players, who win handily with superior shooting and passing skills. The contestants also undergo a grueling outdoor obstacle course, which shows the lack of endurance some have. The bottom three are Ryan, Luke and Christina; Steve Austin tells Luke he is annoyed at his appearance and apparent attitude, but Ryan is sent home because it is his "third strike." Rey Mysterio and John Salley John Salley John Thomas "Spider" Salley is a retired American professional basketball player, actor and talk show host. He was the first player in NBA history to play on three different championship-winning franchises.... guest star. |
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| "It's Getting Down To Nut Cuttin Time" | May 9, 2011 | 6 | ||
| The theme of the week is focus. The contestants are taken through a rope course that involves climbing, balance and focus during which Ivelisse falls off a rope she was expected to repel across when her injured leg gives out. She returns to the course, however, and finishes. Eric, however, does not. After collapsing mid-course due to lack of conditioning, Stone Cold has to send help up to lower Eric down in what Eric calls "probably the most embarrassing, crushing moment of my life." In the skills challenge, the contestants do squats on the top rope, then hold the squat position until only 4 are left. The remaining four (Ivelisse, Christina, Luke and Jeremiah) hold the squat position on the top rope while Eric and Andy run the ropes to try and shake them. The two girls fell, sending Luke and Jeremiah into the final part of the competition—a series of moves involving body slams and top rope elbow drops. Jeremiah got sloppy and Luke was declared the winner. A.J., Ivelisse and Eric are sent to the bottom 3. A.J. is warned that he was "boring as watching grass grow" and told to pick it up. Ivelisse is cut, despite Stone Cold telling her he was sure she belonged in the ring, because her injury was keeping her from performing up to standards. Eric was also cut, having made no improvement in his conditioning. John Morrison guest stars. | ||||
| "Running with Wolves" | May 16, 2011 | 7 | ||
| The theme for the week is creativity. The contestants are instructedto put a personal touch to their moves. Steve takes the contestants to the THQ THQ THQ Inc. is an American developer and publisher of video games. Founded in 1989 in the United States, the company develops products for video game consoles, handheld game systems, as well as for personal computers and wireless devices... Headquarters to try out WWE All Stars WWE All Stars WWE All-Stars is a professional wrestling video game published by THQ and developedby THQ San Diego for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 systems and Subdued Software for the PlayStation Portable, Wii, Nintendo 3DS and PlayStation 2 systems. The game features current and former WWE wrestlers competing... . Contestants create their own characters to show their creativity. That same night, contestants are put through a two hour training session. Martin fractures his foot during the session and ends up going to an emergency room, where he's told he cannot continue in the competition. Martin is forced to quit, and Stone Cold allows him to hang up his own belt since he is "tough enough". In the skills challenge, in a two minute time limit, the contestants are told to perform the moves they know including a move off the top rope. Christina performs a move off the ropes which injures her ankle while working a match with A.J. She is taken to the emergency room while Steve tells everyone else they are dismissed and there will be no elimination. The Bella Twins The Bella Twins Brianna Monique Garcia and Stephanie Nicole Garcia are American twin professional wrestlers. The twins are a professional wrestling tag team under the ring names Brie Bella and Nikki Bella, collectively referred to as The Bella Twins, and work for WWE on the Raw brand.Before being promoted to the... , Kelly Kelly, and Eve Torres Eve Torres Eve Marie Torres is an American dancer, model, and professional wrestler. She is working for WWE on Raw brand. She is a two time WWE Divas Champion.Torres began her career as a model and dancer... guest star. |
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| "I've Been Bamboozled and Flabbergasted" | May 23, 2011 | 8 | ||
| The theme of the week was charisma. The trainers take the contestants to Hollywood to meet Psych Psych Psych is an American detective comedy-drama television series created by Steve Franks and broadcast on USA Network. It stars James Roday as Shawn Spencer, a young crime consultant for the Santa Barbara Police Department whose "heightened observational skills" and impressive detective instincts... 's star, James Roday. Bill DeMott says Jeremiah "gots the charisma". The contestants go back to the house where they go off and do training with The Rock. The Rock says he "will stay for a little bit" to see what will happen. The skills challenge winner is A.J., yet the bottom three are Christina, Andy, and A.J. Andy gets pissed off at Stone Cold and tells him that he's got the wrong people in the bottom three. Stone Cold announced that there will be a double elimination. Andy is saved, but Christina and A.J. are cut. The Rock and James Roday James Roday James Roday is an American actor and screenwriter. He currently stars on the USA Network series Psych as hyper-observant consultant detective and fake psychic Shawn Spencer.-Personal life:... guest star. |
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| "Now We Face the Rattlesnake" | May 30, 2011 | 9 | ||
| The theme of the week is "putting it all together". The trainers throw everything the contestants have learned over the course of the competition to see who can be a WWE Superstar. After training, Stone Cold and the trainers take the contestants to a photo shoot with The Miz to give them a taste of what it is like to fulfill obligations outside the ring such as media appearances. Back at the gym, the trainers put the contestants through more tests to determine what they have learned. Later, Stone Cold takes the final three to Chase Child Life Program Chase Child Life Program The Chase Child Life Program addresses the social, emotional and developmental needs of children dealing with the stress of illness and hospitalization. child life specialists provide opportunities for children of all ages to master the healthcare experience by preparing and supporting them through... at the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center The Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center is a hospital located on the campus of the University of California, Los Angeles in Los Angeles, California.... to visit with the children and show that the WWE always likes to give back to the fans. The skills challenge consists of putting a series of moves together and executing them. The final three face Stone Cold at the final elimination. Although it's very close, Jeremiah's lack of experience costs him, and he is sent home. The Miz guest stars. |
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| "May The Best Man Win" | June 6, 2011 | 10 | ||
| The final two, Andy and Luke, head to Florida Championship Wrestling Florida Championship Wrestling Championship Wrestling from Florida was the corporate and brand name of the Tampa, Florida wrestling office existing from 1961, when Eddie Graham first bought into the promotion, until 1987, when it closed down. It is also referred to as Florida Championship Wrestling... in Tampa, Florida, the official development center of the WWE, for their final challenge: an eight minute exhibition match with Bill DeMott in front of a live audience and WWE executives. The contestant with the best performance will win a WWE contract and the title of Tough Enough. Austin declares Andy the winner. Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat Ricky Steamboat Richard Henry Blood , better known by his ring name Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, is a retired American professional wrestler. He is currently signed to WWE working as a road agent. He was one of the few wrestlers who stayed a babyface throughout his career... guest stars and Vince McMahon Vince McMahon Vincent Kennedy "Vince" McMahon is an American professional wrestling promoter, announcer, commentator, film producer, actor and former occasional professional wrestler. McMahon is the current Chairman, CEO and Chairman of the Executive Committee of professional wrestling promotion WWE... makes a cameo. |
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Post Show
- Andy Leavine - Returned to Florida Championship Wrestling. Expected to be part of NXTNXTNXT may refer to:* Lego Mindstorms NXT, a kit for building robots with Lego bricks* The ticker symbol for the NYSE Arca Tech 100 exchange-traded fund...
Season 6. - Luke Robinson - Wrestles local shows.
- Jeremiah Riggs - Earned a WWE tryout for FCW; was not signed.
- A.J. Kirsch - Appeared on the August 11, 2011 edition of WWE Superstars.
- Martin Casaus - Wrestled local shows.
- Ivelisse Velez - Wrestled a dark match before Raw, signed with WWE.
- Christina Crawford - Resigned with WWE and reported to FCW under the name Caylee Turner.
- Ariane Andrew - Signed with WWE and reported to FCW under the name Cameron Lynn.
- Ryan Howe - Wrestling in Ohio Valley WrestlingOhio Valley WrestlingOhio Valley Wrestling is an American independent professional wrestling promotion based in Louisville, Kentucky. OVW is run by owner Danny Davis and was a member of the National Wrestling Alliance from 1997 until 2000...
. - Rima Fakih - Current, work as model.
- Matt Cross - Still wrestling on the Independent Circuit