Tough Enough is back! spoiler tags till wed

Furious-Red

The website deadline.com is reporting that the USA Network is starting to expand into reality programming. As part of this expansion, USA and WWE are planning to revive the Tough Enough series. Deadline.com also says that the show is expected to "run in tandem with USA's WWE Raw series."

http://nodq.com/wwe/289431089.shtml

Loughc

Furious-Red wrote: »

http://nodq.com/wwe/289431089.shtml

I enjoyed the first 2 series of Tough Enough, I would like to see the format changed and show more behind the scenes much like UFC's The Ultimate Fighter.

Rjd2

If we get promos like this...

THEN COME BACK PLEASE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvyfEW9zra4

gimmick

Isnt NXT essentially Tough Enough?

If it were like the original series or 2, it would be quite good alright.

Insect Overlord

NXT is pretty much dead already though, isn't it? Moved to the website from TV and all.

cena

i really liked tough enough. hope it does come. isn't nxt still on sky sports

D2D

cena wrote: »

i really liked tough enough. hope it does come. isn't nxt still on sky sports

Yep, NXT is still on Sky Sports, it only moved to wwe.com in the States because they couldn't get a tv deal.

I loved Tough Enough, hopefully it does return but it defy's the purpose of even having NXT (no matter how bad the ratings are)

thebostoncrab

I'd welcome Tough Enough with open arms as long as it was like seasons 1 and 2

cena

I liked the wwf westlers coming in helping train them.
That clip is great. That hit too the mat huh made it look easy. Was there more than 2 seasons.
I'v never really been into Nxt if find it boring

CMpunked

Rjd2 wrote: »

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvyfEW9zra4

I lol'd at the guy at the very start with the massive smile.


What way was tough enough season 1 and 2 different from the rest?

(or were they one where they would run it inbetween matches on smackdown etc?)

rossie1977

i like looking back at tough enough and thinking, wow matt morgan was fat

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQHGKKmOUb8

morrison looked weird with short hair

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lS3q-_4p3k

CMpunked

rossie1977 wrote: »

i like looking back at tough enough and thinking, wow matt morgan was fat

Ah hes not that big, he has a lot of it in the face but obviously that just fell off.

*also, was jr trying to be a smart ass with morrison on the second video?

Riddle101

I hate tough enough, It completely disrespects the business by doing something like this and I realise this is 2010, not the 1970's/80's but still. Exposing the busienss by bringing in reality TV stars and turning them into wrestlers annoys me

JP Liz V1

I enjoyed this series but I much prefer Nxt now (when it is not divas of course)

Anyways just thinking besides Morrison and Miz who else succeeded from the series

D.Q

JP Liz V1 wrote: »

I enjoyed this series but I much prefer Nxt now (when it is not divas of course)

Anyways just thinking besides Morrison and Miz who else succeeded from the series

Maven's dropkick.

jmolloy

DieselQueen wrote: »

Maven's dropkick.

yeah probably Mavens finest moment but jeez this is a brutal chairshot taker gives him

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oLeu851ybA

Machismo Fan

JP Liz V1 wrote: »

Anyways just thinking besides Morrison and Miz who else succeeded from the series

Matt Morgan

jmolloy

JP Liz V1 wrote: »

Anyways just thinking besides Morrison and Miz who else succeeded from the series

if he hadn't have suffered from concussions so badly nowinski would've been the man. Boogeyman was a result of tough enough. Shad I think was in it as well

Bubs101

JP Liz V1 wrote: »

I enjoyed this series but I much prefer Nxt now (when it is not divas of course)

Anyways just thinking besides Morrison and Miz who else succeeded from the series

Josh Mathews is probably the biggest success story in that he'd never have the physique to make it into the WWE but he's had a job since that series ended. Also, Daniel Puder leveraged tough Enough to get much more interest in his MMA career by tapping out Kurt Angle (essentially). Also, Al Snow exended his career with it and Tough Enough was probably his peak

Cactus Colm

Bubs101 wrote: »

Josh Mathews is probably the biggest success story in that he'd never have the physique to make it into the WWE but he's had a job since that series ended. Also, Daniel Puder leveraged tough Enough to get much more interest in his MMA career by tapping out Kurt Angle (essentially). Also, Al Snow exended his career with it and Tough Enough was probably his peak

SKip Sheffield (part of Nxt and Nexus) was in the last Tough Enough (with The Miz), Kenny King from Ring of Honor was in the second series, and seems to be doing well for himself. Marty Wright did pretty well for a few years as The Boogeyman. If it hadn't been for his concussion I would think that Christopher Nowinski would still be knocking around WWE or TNA too.

If it came back as a reality show like the first couple, I'm sure I'd give it a chance. But not like the last series as part of smackdown.

I remember meeting Maven in WWF New York, just after the first series ended, was a hell of a nice guy. It was a shame he didn't succeed with WWE, but I don't think they packaged him very well. Nidia had a good run with WWE, and I thought she was very entertaining, and pretty talented too, but the life cycle of female wrestlers in the company is short, and she wasn't your typical diva.

cena

is maven still wrestling

Nightmareofgold

Folks ODB is in the first 2 episodes of season 1 aswell.

Only thing thats different about her then is her breats are a bit smaller

paddyismaddy

rossie1977 wrote: »

i like looking back at tough enough and thinking, wow matt morgan was fat

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQHGKKmOUb8

morrison looked weird with short hair

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lS3q-_4p3k

fatt morgan

CMpunked

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXCwyFXJilM

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UXcijMDjnkM

Must be hard on poor skip/ryan to go through two of these and not getting far.

Loughc

The only thing, Skip had a really good showing at Summerslam, if it wasn't for his injury shortly afterwards I'm sure he'd still be a big part of Nexus today. It will be interesting to see how or if he makes a return!

Mr.Nice Guy

cena wrote: »

is maven still wrestling

Apparenly he still wrestles occasionally. I was a big fan of Maven at the beginning and I thought the concept in the first series was great. Whether or not it would work well this time I don't know, but it would be interesting.

JohnMc1

gimmick wrote: »

Isnt NXT essentially Tough Enough?

The NXT contestants are/were people already trained and in the business. TE contestants were just fans [or not in some cases] that thought they could make it in the business. Its weird that only John Morrison is still around [not counting Josh Matthews since he's just an announcer now]

JohnMc1

rossie1977 wrote: »

i like looking back at tough enough and thinking, wow matt morgan was fat

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQHGKKmOUb8

morrison looked weird with short hair

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_lS3q-_4p3k

Morgan looks completely different now and Morrison looked like Guy Mezger with the short hair and sideburns.

JohnMc1

Riddle101 wrote: »

I hate tough enough, It completely disrespects the business by doing something like this and I realise this is 2010, not the 1970's/80's but still. Exposing the busienss by bringing in reality TV stars and turning them into wrestlers annoys me

Hunter is that you?? The only reality TV star on TE was Miz and he was already in the business. How is it disrespecting the business when it shows just how tough of a business it is to be in?

Bounty Hunter

I posted this somewhere else before and may be missing some people but afaik these are the notably Tough Enough folk from seasons past:

Maven, Nidia, ODB, Chris Nowinski & Josh Matthews (Season1)

Matt Morgan, Jackie Gayda (Season 2)
Shad Gaspard had to be replaced due to medical complications

John Hennigan aka John Morrison (Season 3)
Melina, Daivari and Daniel Puder (didnt make it to the final 25)

Mike "The Miz" Mizanin, Daniel Puder, Nick Mitchell [Spirit Squad], Ryan Reeves aka NXTs Skip Sheffield, Marty Wright aka The Boogeyman (Season 4)

Riddle101

JohnMc1 wrote: »

Hunter is that you?? The only reality TV star on TE was Miz and he was already in the business. How is it disrespecting the business when it shows just how tough of a business it is to be in?

It's disrecpecting because it makes it out that anyone can just walk off the street and become a wrestler in a few weeks. It dosen't make it any better then the person who wins, get's a contract to the WWE even if he lacks expierence, where as a more expierenced wrestler has to bust his ass waiting for the opportunity to get called up to the business.

CMpunked

Riddle101 wrote: »

It's disrecpecting because it makes it out that anyone can just walk off the street and become a wrestler in a few weeks. It dosen't make it any better then the person who wins, get's a contract to the WWE even if he lacks expierence, where as a more expierenced wrestler has to bust his ass waiting for the opportunity to get called up to the business.

But the WWE has become all about moulding their own talent from the ground up.
I agree with what you said but in modern day wwe experience means nothing anymore.

Look at chris jericho, one of the last "territory wrestlers" in the purest sense of the word, and his experience boded well for him.

But today, 10 years on, someone regarded as one of the greatest wrestlers of the previous few years, bryan danielson, has to go through nxt (maybe having him on nxt was a way to guarantee the target audience to tune in) but regardless, in essence he should have been head hunted and his experience allowed him to jump into a the main title pictures.

But he is sitting in mid card level. and will be for a little while yet.

Experience means feck all in wwe in 2010.

JohnMc1

Riddle101 wrote: »

It's disrecpecting because it makes it out that anyone can just walk off the street and become a wrestler in a few weeks. It dosen't make it any better then the person who wins, get's a contract to the WWE even if he lacks expierence, where as a more expierenced wrestler has to bust his ass waiting for the opportunity to get called up to the business.

I think you're strteching things a bit. TE really went out of its way to let the viewers know that wresting is not an easy business to be in. Otherwise the HHH promo would not have been aired.

Wrestling has always been about marketing and charisma. If they have the experience great. Its always been that way in wrestling. Long before TE and long after it as well. If experience was all that mattered we would be watching 80 year old Shiek as WWE champion.

Mr.Nice Guy

Riddle101 wrote: »

It's disrecpecting because it makes it out that anyone can just walk off the street and become a wrestler in a few weeks. It dosen't make it any better then the person who wins, get's a contract to the WWE even if he lacks expierence, where as a more expierenced wrestler has to bust his ass waiting for the opportunity to get called up to the business.

In fairness you could if you were trained well enough. You obviously wouldn't be the next Shawn Michaels in that time but you could have the fundamentals down. Lance Storm offers a 12 week training program and his students have gone on to wrestle all over the world. If you have a guy like Al Snow training you several hours of every day as happened with Maven then you are going to be able to get through a 3 minute match, which is all these TE guys are going to do in the early stages.

Riddle101

CMpunked wrote: »

But the WWE has become all about moulding their own talent from the ground up.
I agree with what you said but in modern day wwe experience means nothing anymore.

Look at chris jericho, one of the last "territory wrestlers" in the purest sense of the word, and his experience boded well for him.

But today, 10 years on, someone regarded as one of the greatest wrestlers of the previous few years, bryan danielson, has to go through nxt (maybe having him on nxt was a way to guarantee the target audience to tune in) but regardless, in essence he should have been head hunted and his experience allowed him to jump into a the main title pictures.

But he is sitting in mid card level. and will be for a little while yet.

Experience means feck all in wwe in 2010.

WWE still value expience though. It just depends on wrestlers. Bryan Danielson and Low Ki are like Chris Beniot, they were great in ring but have no mic skills, which is fundamental for being a main eventer. However if WWE had Nigel McGuinness who is pretty good on the stick then i'd say he'd be pushed as well just like CM Punk was.

JohnMc1 wrote: »

I think you're strteching things a bit. TE really went out of its way to let the viewers know that wresting is not an easy business to be in. Otherwise the HHH promo would not have been aired.

Wrestling has always been about marketing and charisma. If they have the experience great. Its always been that way in wrestling. Long before TE and long after it as well. If experience was all that mattered we would be watching 80 year old Shiek as WWE champion.

They sort of have to make the business not look easy though, it's part of the whole process of trying to look serious. But it's just that they still open a door that should not be allowed open. I'm sure some wrestlers are quite despleased by it as well. From what The Hardys said in their book, the wrestlers were pretty harsh to the Tough Enough guys, sure it could be just their way of breaking them into the business but i'd say there is some resentment among wrestlers as well.

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

In fairness you could if you were trained well enough. You obviously wouldn't be the next Shawn Michaels in that time but you could have the fundamentals down. Lance Storm offers a 12 week training program and his students have gone on to wrestle all over the world. If you have a guy like Al Snow training you several hours of every day as happened with Maven then you are going to be able to get through a 3 minute match, which is all these TE guys are going to do in the early stages.

Agreed, but isn't it still abit risky putting a wrestler who is still green in front of thousands of fans on TV. when Maven won the first TE, he was put in a match with Taz right away in front of an audience, and continued to wrestle quite a bit afterwards. They may still recieve training behind the scenes, but their still in the lime light and might not be ready for that.

JohnMc1

Riddle101 wrote: »

They sort of have to make the business not look easy though, it's part of the whole process of trying to look serious. But it's just that they still open a door that should not be allowed open. I'm sure some wrestlers are quite despleased by it as well. From what The Hardys said in their book, the wrestlers were pretty harsh to the Tough Enough guys, sure it could be just their way of breaking them into the business but i'd say there is some resentment among wrestlers as well.

Its not an easy business to be in. Anybody who follows their schedules knows that. Are you really surprised about known bitter assholes being bitter assholes about something? They single out a guy for any reasons [ie. the usual "He hasn't paid his dues" bs] I always felt that any aspiring pro-wrestlers should learn how to fight for real before learning to be a pro-wrestler so they can protect themselves against known assholes like Bob Holly,etc.

CMpunked

We have lift off!

After Post-mania raw it is set to be shown:

LOS ANGELES – USA Network has given a 10-episode order to “WWE Tough Enough,” a non-scripted series in collaboration with World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. and Shed Media US. “WWE Tough Enough,” slated to debut April 4, 2011, will feature a group of 12 individuals looking for a once-in-a-lifetime shot to become the next WWE Superstar or Diva. The grand prize winner will be awarded a contract with WWE, joining its roster of talent.

“WWE Tough Enough” will premiere at 11/10 p.m. CT the day after WrestleMania XXVII and immediately following USA’s ratings juggernaut Monday Night Raw. It will then move to its regularly scheduled slot, Mondays at 8/7 p.m. CT, starting on April 11th.

"We're thrilled to tag team with the WWE in bringing Tough Enough back to television," said Chris McCumber, executive vice president of marketing, digital and brand strategy for USA Network, and Jeff Wachtel, president of original programming USA Network and co-head of original content for Universal Cable Productions. "By focusing on both the physical and the performance challenges of becoming a Superstar, the show will shine a new light on what it takes to truly make your mark in the WWE universe."

“For years, the return of Tough Enough has been one of the most talked about and speculated topics amongst reality show fans and television industry insiders,” said Kevin Dunn, executive vice president of television production for WWE. “With the combined promotional muscle of USA Network and WWE, the right time slot and the reality show experience of Shed Media, WWE is looking forward to the successful return of one of television’s first reality show hits.”

The diverse group of men and women will live and train together in a house in Los Angeles. To see who has what it takes to be the next WWE Superstar or Diva, the contestants will battle it out each week in a series of unique challenges designed to test for such characteristics as showmanship, creativity, athleticism and desire, just to name a few.

Each episode will feature a current WWE Superstar, who will introduce the contenders to a quality that they must possess to make it to the top of the sports-entertainment world. Along the way, viewers will witness the trials and tribulations of what it takes to be one of the best in the world’s greatest sports-entertainment organization. Each episode will conclude with the elimination of one of the hopefuls who is left outside of the ring, while those that remain will move one step closer to their dream. In the final episode, the remaining contestants will battle it out for the grand prize.

Shed Media US, noted for its strong characters and memorable casting in the non-scripted arena, will produce WWE Tough Enough. The company’s previous reality credits include “The Real Housewives of New York City,” “Who Do You Think You Are,” “World's Strictest Parents.” Producing for Shed Media US are Alex Demyanenko and Eric Van Wagenen.

http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/toughenoughreturns

grames_bond

i look forward to it this year, i really enjoyed the first one! wonder will they have it on SKY 1 again or on one of the sports channels or if at all!

jaykhunter

I don't know why they think the exact same format that failed before will not just fail again. This isn't TUF where it's a legitimate sporting contest with scripted events, it's pretty much all scripted in a pre-determined sport.

For it to work personally, I'd break kayfabe. Get 12 indie workers who already have the fundamentals and work on their character/promos/signature moves etc etc. Show what it's actually like training to be a wrestler. Only hardcore fans would watch it anyway. Show them backstage at different WWE events and how it's much different from an indy training school.

Right now it's basically a higher-resourced version of Hogan's CCW.

D.Q

jaykhunter wrote: »

I don't know why they think the exact same format that failed before will not just fail again. This isn't TUF where it's a legitimate sporting contest with scripted events, it's pretty much all scripted in a pre-determined sport.

For it to work personally, I'd break kayfabe. Get 12 indie workers who already have the fundamentals and work on their character/promos/signature moves etc etc. Show what it's actually like training to be a wrestler. Only hardcore fans would watch it anyway. Show them backstage at different WWE events and how it's much different from an indy training school.

Right now it's basically a higher-resourced version of Hogan's CCW.

The past and all its lessons do not exist in Vince McMahon's head.

sliotor

Riddle101 wrote: »

WWE still value expience though. It just depends on wrestlers. Bryan Danielson and Low Ki are like Chris Beniot, they were great in ring but have no mic skills, which is fundamental for being a main eventer. However if WWE had Nigel McGuinness who is pretty good on the stick then i'd say he'd be pushed as well just like CM Punk was.


They did have Nigel McGuinness/ Desmond Wolfe signed but then released him because they decided they didnt want him. Which is a shame because he is a real talent but it does go away from your point. Also when a person wins TE, they are not put on a raw every week. They are given a development contract and are sent to FCW for a good while afterwards.

JP Liz V1

Al Snow is in TNA so I doubt he will be back

Garseys

Gonna have a rough guess that Kidman, Tom Prichard and Finlay will be trainers on this.

JP Liz V1

Source

- Here are some more details on the return of WWE Tough Enough from a joint press release issued by WWE and USA this week. As noted earlier, the show will premiere on Monday, April 4th at 11pm EST after RAW goes off the air the night after WrestleMania 27.

* Tough Enough will air ten episodes beginning 4/4 at 11pm EST following RAW.. After that week, the show will air regularly at 8pm EST each Monday, before RAW.

* The twelve male and female talents will be living and training in a Los Angeles house and compete for a one-year WWE contract.

* Shed Media US is producing Tough Enough. They have previously worked on shows such as The Real Housewives of New York City, Who Do You Think You Are and World's Strictest Parents.

* The talents will compete in physical and performance challenges to test for such characteristics as showmanship, creativity, athleticism and desire, according to the press release.

* Each episode will feature a current WWE Superstar as coach.

* Each episode will also feature an elimination. The series finale will see the remaining contestants battle for the WWE contract.

Garseys

I would have thought they would based it around HQ in Connecticut again.

Either way, can't wait to see it. Probably means NXT is going to be on the chopping block(considering they are still looking for a tv deal for it)

JP Liz V1

Either at WrestleMania or the Raw after, WWE will probably then introduce the cast of Tought Enough to hype the show's return.

Mr.Nice Guy

Have the judges been revealed yet? Because I saw this video on J.R.'s site when someone asked him about it and I'm now really hoping Johnny Ace and Kevin Dunn will not be showcasing their great eye for talent...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaQhq42CU00

Almost lost one of the most talented wrestlers of the modern era. Their comments are a joke.

jaykhunter

Mr.Nice Guy wrote: »

Almost lost one of the most talented wrestlers of the modern era. Their comments are a joke.

I'll give you impressively athletic persons (i.e. spot monkey, looks great) but in terms of cutting a promo, having a good gimmick, any ring psychology or telling a story - he's completely lacking.

Again, extremely talented guy, but lacking in many areas.

Mr.Nice Guy

jaykhunter wrote: »

I'll give you impressively athletic persons (i.e. spot monkey, looks great) but in terms of cutting a promo, having a good gimmick, any ring psychology or telling a story - he's completely lacking.

Again, extremely talented guy, but lacking in many areas.

I disagree. I take your point on his mic skills. He is lacking in that area - very lacking it has to be said - but I think his gimmick is fine, he connects with the crowd, and he has great matches. I don't see anything wrong with his psychology or story telling. In fact this was one of the main reasons I enjoyed his feud with Sheamus as I thought they both made it very believable.

DM_7

Hosted by:




http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/austinhoststoughenough

NEW YORK CITY – USA Network and WWE announced that WWE Hall of Famer “Stone Cold” Steve Austin will host USA Network’s upcoming reality series "WWE Tough Enough." The non-scripted series will premiere Monday, April 4 at 11/10 CT, immediately following USA’s ratings juggernaut WWE Monday Night Raw, and move to its regularly scheduled slot in primetime, Mondays at 8/7 CT, starting on April 11.
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin has captivated audiences around the world with his magnetic presence and bold, yet charming nature. Austin has done it all in sports-entertainment, winning 17 championships, including the WWE Championship six times. He has an immense and incredibly devoted fan base, and is considered one of the most popular WWE Superstars of all time. Austin was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2009.
"I am very excited about the opportunity to work with my old friends at WWE on 'WWE Tough Enough.' Sports-entertainment has always been an important part of my life, and I look forward to finding the next generation of WWE Superstars," said Austin.
"Stone Cold" will share his intimate knowledge, experience and flair for the stage as one of the most popular figures in WWE history to a group of individuals looking for a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become the next WWE Superstar or Diva. Austin will mentor the diverse group of men and women who will live, train, eat and sleep under one roof in a house in Simi Valley, Calif. Each week, the contestants will battle it out in a series of unique challenges designed to test for such characteristics as showmanship, creativity, athleticism and desire, just to name a few. Viewers will witness the trials and tribulations of what it takes to be one of the best in the world’s greatest sports-entertainment organization. The grand prize winner will be awarded a contract with WWE.
Since leaving the world of sports-entertainment, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin has made a name for himself in Hollywood, with roles in such blockbuster hits as The Expendables, staring Sylvester Stallone and The Longest Yard, starring Adam Sandler and Chris Rock. Other film credits include Damage, The Condemned and Hunt to Kill. In addition to film, Austin is a household name from his work on hit television shows such as NBC’s Chuck and CBS’ Nash Bridges.
Shed Media US, noted for its strong characters and memorable casting in the non-scripted arena, will produce "WWE Tough Enough." The company’s previous reality credits include The Real Housewives of New York City, Who Do You Think You Are and World's Strictest Parents. Producing for Shed Media US are Alex Demyanenko and Eric Van Wagenen.

Lord TSC

Great news. Austin seems quite protective of his image so would probably only agree to this if he was confident it's going to be a strong product. Likewise, the "rookies" will now get to interact with one of the greatest of all times and learn...