WWE Tough Enough Discussion Thread

[Anybody Thrilla]

The debut is a few weeks away, but the top 40 contestants have been revealed. Based on the pictures from Raw, I'm happy that most of those 40 actually LOOK like they could become viable WWE superstars as opposed to some people from past seasons who seemingly had no business inside a wrestling ring.

On top of that, names like Chris Jericho, Booker T, Daniel Bryan, Lita, and Hulk Hogan, we just may have the most star-studded cast in Tough Enough history. Bill Demott an Al Snow may have been great trainers, but they were hardly ever extremely relevant on WWE TV.

Moreover, I really dig the fact that they'll be training at the Performance Center. I think it'll be pretty cool to see how things operate inside that place on a day-to-day basis. It would also be kinda cool if some people who were training there who AREN'T on the show ever stuck their heads in to talk shit about the contestants.

I've been a fan of the Tough Enough contest since the begin, and I can't wait for this version.

What are your thoughts on...

http://www.wwe.com/f/styles/ep_trending/public/video/thumb/2015/04/sd818_tough_enough_042315.jpg

?

[Volare]

Waiting till the show starts, never watched any of the vids (minus what they showed on RAW). I've always had the feeling that "your votes count" is total BS and they picked who they wanted and BS'd the fans.

Just hoping Jericho does good here.

[Anybody Thrilla]

I wonder if Jericho is going to try and be all intimidating like Austin was on the 2011 season. Plays out weird in my head.

[Volare]

I can see him speaking in a Low manner like he did as heel. If he gets as fired up as he did ranting on the HOF this year, he will be money.

[Anybody Thrilla]

I know Jericho is a vet and can hold his own or whatever, but some of these contestants look like they could crush him. He's no spring chicken anymore.

I love Jericho, btw.

[Big Vic]

Hope Big O wins and gets a massive push just to spite Ryder.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>The Big O making the final cut would be wonderful.</font>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Would be incredibly awkward if one but not both of the Kingdom Twins makes the cut for the show.</font>

[KIRA]

Gonna see how long it Takes the WWE to let the winners go

I might be wrong but for some reason I remember someone winning and never being used

[XL]

Andy Levine, got bitch-slapped by Vince and was never seen again.

[Nicky Fives]

maybe this time around they'll actually hire the winner and give him more than a cup of coffee of time to train and not hire the useless broad whose favourite match was Melina vs. Alicia Fox....

[Nicky Fives]

Gonna see how long it Takes the WWE to let the winners go

I might be wrong but for some reason I remember someone winning and never being used

The Miz lost to Daniel Puder, who had a Royal Rumble appearance and that was it....

[Anybody Thrilla]

John Morrison made a pretty good run out of Tough Enough. Also The Miz, if you even count his season. Maven and Nidia both stuck around for a while. The Cappotelli situation was very unfortunate, but he probably would have had a decent shot. It's not like it CAN'T be done.

[Volare]

John Morrison made a pretty good run out of Tough Enough. Also The Miz, if you even count his season. Maven and Nidia both stuck around for a while. The Cappotelli situation was very unfortunate, but he probably would have had a decent shot. It's not like it CAN'T be done.

Cappotelli is a bitch.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>How so?</font> :?:

[Droford]

Since most of the finalists have real wrestling backgrounds, it makes me wonder what they will do with all the submissions from people who never really had a shot

They should do a funniest tough enough submission video show

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Since most of the finalists have real wrestling backgrounds, it makes me wonder what they will do with all the submissions from people who never really had a shot

They should do a funniest tough enough submission video show

They did it just to get a buzz so more people would upload stuff with #ToughEnough.

[Volare]

<font color=goldenrod>How so?</font> :?:

My inner Bobcore came out. :D

[Lock Jaw]

<font color=goldenrod>Would be incredibly awkward if one but not both of the Kingdom Twins makes the cut for the show.</font>

And then halfway through the show it turns out that they used "Twin Magic", as the brother who made it sacrificed his spot and gave it to the one that got cut.

Or they constantly use "Twin Magic" to cheat at all the competitions. Like if there is a race or something, one starts and the other finishes and is all like "Yeah! I ain't even tired!"

[Lock Jaw]

Anyways, some of the finalists looked like definite roid freaks who Vince probably didn't even watch the videos but just saw the pictures and fainted in excitement.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Anyways, some of the finalists looked like definite roid freaks who Vince probably didn't even watch the videos but just saw the pictures and fainted in excitement.

<img style="-webkit-user-select: none;" src="http://i.imgur.com/bcTaGmD.gif" width="200" height="150">

[Emperor Smeat]

Waiting till the show starts, never watched any of the vids (minus what they showed on RAW). I've always had the feeling that "your votes count" is total BS and they picked who they wanted and BS'd the fans.

Just hoping Jericho does good here.

Supposedly that was sort of the case with the last season. WWE really wanted a specific person to win but a combo of him getting voted off early and being injured dropped all interest they had in him.

Had either not happened, very likely the WWE would have done the show in a way to influence the voting like they do with the usual polls.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Martin? He was good.

[Mr. Nerfect]

The last season gave us Cameron. So there's that. I'm optimistic this one will be better.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Yeah but that was the highlight of the season. Alicia Fox and Melina having the best match of all time. :lol:

[Mr. Nerfect]

I don't like the idea of a bunch of "passionate" guys getting handed the opportunity like they have been. Frankie Kazarian said it really well in a recent interview "You'd do anything to make it in the business? Then why haven't you done it yet?"

[Lock Jaw]

Stone Cold's speeches were the best part of the last season. Can't imagine Jericho having the same amount of "gravitas".

[Lock Jaw]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5TMKaR0tu8Y" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Droford]

F/ Chelsea Green: (AKA Jaida AKA Daniel Bryan's physical therapist he supposedly had an affair with)

That might be awkward lol

[Droford]

FR6wUHSLGMA

Skinner + Lash Leroux

[Droford]

Sara Lee will be getting a name change

[Anybody Thrilla]

I don't like the idea of a bunch of "passionate" guys getting handed the opportunity like they have been. Frankie Kazarian said it really well in a recent interview "You'd do anything to make it in the business? Then why haven't you done it yet?"

Would you rather just a bunch of out of shape super fans?

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>I think it would have been interesting to sprinkle in a few out of shape people who on the show just for the sake of diversity. Not ridiculously out of shape, mind. In decent enough shape that they could realistically work off the weight/build muscle definition etc. throughout the course of the show.

The idea would be that they were picked for their personalities and it'd be cool to see if they show enough heart/character/whatever that they get voters behind them even if they may not be the physical specimen their counterparts are.</font>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>But I'm fine with them all actually looking like wrestlers, anyway. There's definitely no way they watched like 85% of the videos sent in. I believe it even said on the sign-up page that there is no guarantee your application will even be viewed.

They likely just scanned for people who look fit first and THEN watched the videos, weeding out those who showed the charisma of a peanut.</font>

[Emperor Smeat]

Observer on the theme the WWE was using when picking out the finalists and why its better to have a strong showing or get eliminated near the end than actually winning the competition based on past history.

Instead, the competition is loaded with tall bodybuilders and bikini and fitness models, with a few football players and two MMA fighters, neither of whom have ever had a professional fight. We were told that WWE is right now looking for pretty women MMA fighters, which makes sense with the TapOut brand ownership and the popularity with sponsors right now of Ronda Rousey, Miesha Tate and Paige VanZant.

I was told by someone affiliated with the project that they were looking for television characters picked for a reality show more than good wrestlers, but at the end of the day, two people are getting one year deals at $250,000. A lot of wrestlers were very unhappy with the lack of wrestlers being picked because tons of indie guys, including some with fairly good names and genuine ability, sent in applications.

Right there guarantees a problem because the winners will not only have a spotlight on them, but will have a hard time not being heavily resented by their co-workers. It may be a lot worse for the female winner, because she'll be making multiples of what all the women in NXT earn. The top NXT women have worked hard to up their games to the level they have. The male winner will also be making more than the rank-and-file guys, but also, unless the touring brand takes off and salaries increase greatly, he'd be making far more than even the guys like Finn Balor and Hideo Itami who were legitimate major league international superstars for years with a proven track record. Essentially, unless the male winner is a Lesnar monster that nobody would dare screw with or that they are greatly fear and respect, placing in the top five and getting a standard developmental contract may be better long-term than winning due to less resentment and less pressure from above to progress quickly.

[Emperor Smeat]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">BREAKING NEWS: <a href="https://twitter.com/WWEToughEnough">@WWEToughEnough</a> cast released! <a href="http://t.co/zYVWGImDM4">pic.twitter.com/zYVWGImDM4</a></p>&mdash; WWE (@WWE) <a href="https://twitter.com/WWE/status/609504834174193664">June 12, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Some details about the final 13 competitors from the WWE: https://www.wwetoughenough.com/news/wwe-tough-enoughs-13-finalists-revealed

[Droford]

The whole thing about the fact the two winners will be making more than just about everyone in nxt is dumb argument because it's only a 1 year deal and unless whoever wins is ridiculously over they won't make anything close to that if they stay around. The best part is, even if they do manage to get over the WWE could fuck em over anyway by not putting em on tv or burying them.

Rooting for ZZ I guess out of the guys. Didn't realize he was only 18.

Don't really have a female preference but Sara Lee gets me cause of the name.

[Droford]

ZZ Loupe is a pretty awesome name too

[Tom Guycott]

<font color=goldenrod>Would be incredibly awkward if one but not both of the Kingdom Twins makes the cut for the show.</font>

And then halfway through the show it turns out that they used "Twin Magic", as the brother who made it sacrificed his spot and gave it to the one that got cut.

Or they constantly use "Twin Magic" to cheat at all the competitions. Like if there is a race or something, one starts and the other finishes and is all like "Yeah! I ain't even tired!"

I think it'd be better if they went the other way, and the loser resented the one who made the cut. He fucks with him somehow during the show to get him eliminated (feeds him pot brownies and makes him fail a piss test, or something). Neither one "wins", but they already have an angle to be spun off for a "second chance" shot in NXT.

But, I suppose that's moot now.

[Lock Jaw]

Watching the casting special thing...

"laughing out loud" at graphic saying "After a long night of soul searching, The Kingdom Twins decide to withdraw from the competition" immediately cutting to interview with them talking about how "at the end of the day they didn't quit"....... Isn't that exactly what they did?

[Lock Jaw]

Jericho pretty terrible at doing the cliche reality show "make you think one guy/gal is eliminated only for it to be the other person" thing....

[Rollermacka]

FR6wUHSLGMA

Skinner + Lash Leroux

I LOVE this guy...... partially because I've teamed with some guys in Louisiana who are exactly like this. He's my pick to win (if not win, but I can still see him getting a contract)

[Big Vic]

Fuck did I miss the first episode?

[Lock Jaw]

Not the first episode, but they had a "casting special" on the WWE Network showing the "Top 40" getting whittled down to the 13 who made the show.

[Big Vic]

did anyone get asked what their favorite match was? And did they answer with Melina vs Alicia Foxx?

[Lock Jaw]

They showed one dude saying "What's my favourite match? I don't know. I don't have one." in response to the question...

[Big Vic]

Ugh hope he gets cut.

[Lock Jaw]

He got cut

[Big Vic]

With a knife? :)

[drave]

LINNNOOOOOOOLEUUUUMMMMMM KNIIIIIIIIIFFEEEEEEEEE!!!!

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Amanda Saccomano's definitely getting signed.</font>

[Lock Jaw]

Wonder if any relation to Bob

[XL]

Just watching the casting special, some of these women are incredible. Not even sure they're real.

ZZ is fantastic.

[XL]

Mike. :(

[XL]

Khalil and Stephen would be a great tag team.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Didn't really care for the season premiere to be honest. The house scenes are hilariously scripted (I know reality TV has a lot of scripted moments, but almost nothing on Tough Enough felt authentic except for the physical challenges). The judges sitting there and basing everything off of pre-recorded video and a couple of questions feels a bit weak. And Renee Young could have done Jericho's job by himself.

Maybe it was just a clunky premiere. I'll stick with it for a few more weeks at least as there's nothing else I watch at 8 PM on a Tuesday.

The one bit I liked was Paige calling Hank out for his sexist comments. Also chuckled at Dianna getting all sad about her fiance. If you're already missing him when he's within driving distance, have fun spending 90% of your life away from him on the road. She's super hot but constantly bringing up her fiance will prolly wind up causing her to lose the basement-dweller vote.</font>

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Didn't watch the entire episode but Tanner seems like the man to beat. Not sure if Paige deserves to be on par with both Hogan and Daniel Bryan as a judge. She's only been on the main roster for a year. Did like Paige calling him out for what he said though. So, she could be good.

[Dark One]

Not feeling this show. Format is weird as hell. They're trying to mash up American Idol with Real World and doing neither very well. I'm hoping once it settles into an actual routine and they're doing stuff beyond "Here are some people running. Here are some people arguing." it might get better.

Right now it's just a bunch of people doing gym class shit and yelling at each other. That's not a good show.

[Dark One]

"It's funny that he said that, because in my submission video I also said I was what was best for business."

You and like 75% of the other people, dude.

[BigCrippyZ]

I actually watched this last night. I honestly feel like I went in with pretty low expectations to begin with, but I thought the whole show was pretty awful. Was it the worst show I've ever seen? No, of course not, but even for WWE/"sports entertainment" standards it was bad and just felt off, scripted and forced.

Jericho was horrible as a host and I'm not even sure why he was there. The best part was when the panel got to ask certain contestants questions but that lasted all of 5 minutes. Doing the panel segments in front of the small crowd at Full Sail also seemed to bring everything down and make it weird too. I'd rather them just have no crowd at all or do it on an empty sound stage or at the performance center if they're going to have it in such a small venue like that.

Hopefully, things will improve as the show goes on, but if it doesn't happen quickly, they're going to lose me fast, if I even remember to watch next week. I barely tune into RAW anymore, and up until this weeks RAW hadn't watched RAW since the night after WM. In fact, the only reason I watched TE last night was because I actually had some free time and there was literally nothing else on.

[Big Vic]

I don't like the format at all. I also think its really dumb to have the bottom 3 plead their cases and the cut off voting RIGHT AFTER THE LAST ONE PLEADS...lol so you have 2 seconds to vote after his last word if he impressed you.

[BigCrippyZ]

I don't like the format at all. I also think its really dumb to have the bottom 3 plead their cases and the cut off voting RIGHT AFTER THE LAST ONE PLEADS...lol so you have 2 seconds to vote after his last word if he impressed you.

Yeah. That was really stupid. All the more reason why I think even the "voting" results are predetermined.

[Dark One]

The post-show on the Network was actually really good. Probably going to have to treat the show on USA as a pre-show.

[Lock Jaw]

Just watched this.... much like the consensus, I am not really a fan of the format.

Hogan/Paige/Bryan just seem so far removed from the contestants to be the ones judging anything. Really should be the trainers being there.

Also don't like the format in the mixing the live and pre-taped stuff. I know they are trying to make it "interactive" but it just makes it feel weird. Like I'd rather just watch a polished linear pre-taped episode. Every time I was "getting into it" it felt like it would just awkwardly jump into the live stuff and then another pre-taped segment....

Seemed weird to have the bottom three give their "last pleas" after the voting had already opened and then subsequently giving zero time for the pleas to matter with the vote results being announced immediately.

Like Dark One said, though, the "Tough Talk" thing after the show was actually pretty good. It definitely felt the most "real", even blatantly pointing out that reality tv shows are fake, which will prob get that chick in trouble but whatever.

[Emperor Smeat]

Season premiere didn't do that well in ratings or at least compared to the last season. If it has similar drops, next episode could be in the under million range for viewers.

The season premiere of WWE Tough Enough kicked off on Tuesday night on the USA Network with just 1.209 million viewers.

While the show has been absent for several years, the last season of Tough Enough on USA featuring “Stone Cold” Steve Austin as host started with 3.3 million viewers the week after WrestleMania XXVII. That’s down more than 63% from season five in 2011.

One major thing to consider, though, is that the last season of Tough Enough had several big advantages, including running immediately after WrestleMania and on Monday nights back-to-back with a built-in wrestling audience in WWE RAW.

The Tough Enough season premiere had 1.2 million viewers last night. The previous season a few years ago with Steve Austin did 3.3 million from the premiere before dropping to the high 2+ million range thereafter. Like Total Divas, though, it could gain a decent number of viewers on replays.

[Corndad]

I was underwhelmed as others have been but Tough Talk might be a weekly watch on the Network. I was far more entertained with that format than what they showed on USA.

They may do some tweeks before week 2, we shall see but I wasn't really impressed at all with the presentation.

[Ruien]

When is this on? Want to catch the next episode.

[road doggy dogg]

will WWE paige always be wearing a push-up bra

[Anybody Thrilla]

Paige's tits looked good. Not sure about the rest of this business yet. Crazy having people eliminated already when they had pretty much no chance to connect with anyone.

[Lock Jaw]

That's the thing too... all the live segments took away from time they could have given to more polished pre-taped stuff showing the personalities of the contestants.... then they could just have one live segment at the end of the episode.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Feel like I'd rather not make it onto a reality TV show at all than to make it on and be eliminated in the first week.

And yes, I'm fully aware that Cameron somehow was the only one to get signed.</font>

[James Steele]

I could live without the blatantly fake bullshit. The black guy seems like they want him to come off like a smark.

[Jordan]

It sucked. ZZ is good and the bitchy Brazilian girl should win.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>:lol: Alex saying "knowledge means nothing". Dumbest comment ever. Even Mick Foley called him out on it on Twitter, saying that he will stop watching the show if he doesn't get eliminated.</font>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>And, as expected, Alex is gone.

This show seriously sucks though. ZZ is worth watching cause he's funny. Nearly everybody else is completely unlikeable.</font>

[DAMN iNATOR]

Well, the Universe still likes Sara Lee WOO!

And USA just made the Women's World Cup Finals v. JPN/ENG (tomorrow's semis winner) on Sunday. This has been an amazing 5-10mins.

[road doggy dogg]

how are WWE Paige's titties looking

[Dark One]

how are WWE Paige's titties looking

Pretty amazing, tbh.

[road doggy dogg]

pics man

need to see 'em

[Dark One]

http://i.imgur.com/iaEcNWT.png

[road doggy dogg]

nice

[DAMN iNATOR]

She needs to, uh, "distract" all the contestants week after week with that outfit, each week showing the zipper slightly more undone than the previous week, but then swerve the finalists on the finale show by wearing a not-at-all revealing outfit just when they thought they might glimpse bared mammaries.

[Lock Jaw]

Just watched.... again, the "Tough Talk" thing was better than the show....

I think it is pretty ridiculous with the whole thing Paige telling those two girls to "stand out more"... and they are like "I stay out of fights/drama. That isn't why I'm here. It's not my fault that the fights/drama are what gets highlighted on the show."... and Paige is all "You need to find a way"

What are they supposed to do.... feel like they are at the mercy of editors/producers.... Another reason why this whole "live" aspect falls flat.... at least in previous seasons the eliminations were done by the coaches who had more to base them on.... and then the editors/producers could look at it after all was said and done and craft the story over the season taking into account who needs to be featured where....

This show is all hit or miss... producers/editors have nothing to "build too/for" and are left just showing what they think is the "most interesting" which has just been a series of "fights" and "screaming matches"....

[Corndad]

Couldn't agree more. Tough Talk is BY FAR the more entertaining show. I found it hard to actually pay full attention to TE but Tough Talk had me laughing pretty hard at points. You also get more of a feeling who the contestants actually are. Patrick is the lead person in my eyes right now.

Also pretty funny that one girl getting called out for 3 previous marriages and her current husband thinks will be no issues with her going on the road :lol:

[Emperor Smeat]

Last night’s Tough Enough averaged 1,047,000 viewers on the USA Network and was a drop from last week’s premiere.

On one hand, drops like that are pretty normal for tv seasons although on the other hand, also means the decision to have RAW replays be the lead in for Tough Enough probably isn't going to work.

[Lock Jaw]

Tanner looks like Daniel Bryan and Seth Rollins got legally gay married and had a son somehow and it was him.

[Lock Jaw]

Just remembered a comment I had...

I find it hilarious how Chris Jericho and Renee Young are pretty much both doing the same job, but when they did the name key with both their names, only Jericho got the subtitle "Host" under his name.

[Lock Jaw]

Watching live this week via the YouTube.....

[Lock Jaw]

Hate all the awkward clapping.... Audience is clapping, contestants are clapping, judges are clapping..... Who is applauding for who here.....

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Feel like Daria's gone. ZZ is too funny to eliminate. Sara Lee seems to be the "internet favorite" amongst the women.</font>

[Lock Jaw]

Voting for Sara Lee.... Hot braud.... This is what happens when they leave the power in the people's hands...

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>I love Paige and all that but it feels weird having her be the token "judge who mercilessly talks down to everyone/tells them that they're fucking awful" when she's only been on the main roster for like a year. You'd think she's been in WWE for 15 years with the way she talks.

Glad she's on the show though because boobs.</font>

[Lock Jaw]

Always ragging on her for not standing out, but feel like this is the first week Mada has done anything of note....

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>So they get 30 seconds to walk to the ring...which is like 5 feet from where the stage is. This show is so weird.</font>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Oh they finally figured out they should do the pleas BEFORE the voting.</font>

[Lock Jaw]

Kinda want ZZ to go.....

[Savio]

At least they fixed the voting this week.

[Lock Jaw]

Sara Lee pleading that she isn't the best.... Damn.... Might have to not vote for her.....

[Lock Jaw]

Watching it live puts too much pressure on me....

[Lock Jaw]

Damn.... Voted for Daria.....

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>I just assumed Sara Lee was one of those chicks who was given 2 first names. But no, apparently her first name is Sara, last name is Lee and she just openly refers to herself with her full name. Weirdo.</font>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Said fuck it and voted ZZ. It's just funny to watch him humiliate himself.</font>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Feel like Sara would have won Paige over had she tossed her jacket in Paige's face. She just wants them to wake up and show character.</font>

[Savio]

Paige wanted to save ZZs package.

[Savio]

The BLT community loves ZZ.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>How awkward. Every single competitor says Sara should go, and then she stays.

Dianna will probably wind up getting signed because of her bod and end up doing more than whoever the winner is.</font>

[Lock Jaw]

Did ZZ just say that Indians (aboriginals) were American heroes?

[Lock Jaw]

<font color=goldenrod>I love Paige and all that but it feels weird having her be the token "judge who mercilessly talks down to everyone/tells them that they're fucking awful" when she's only been on the main roster for like a year. You'd think she's been in WWE for 15 years with the way she talks.

Glad she's on the show though because boobs.</font>

you'd think they would have had Natalya on.... after all..... she is known to be very catty!

[DAMN iNATOR]

<font color=goldenrod>How awkward. Every single competitor says Sara should go, and then she stays.

Dianna will probably wind up getting signed because of her bod and end up doing more than whoever the winner is.</font>

If she doesn't win, I could definitely see her being signed.

[Emperor Smeat]

As seen on WWE Tough Enough last night, Dianna chose to leave the show on her own accord, and WWE has announced someone will replace her on the show.

Chelsea Green, who previously appeared on WWE TV, will be replacing Dianna.

Green previously played the part of Daniel Bryan’s physical therapist during Bryan’s story line with The Authority. Stephanie McMahon accused Green and Bryan of having an affair.

Green is a graduate of the Storm Wrestling Academy, headed up by former WWE, WCW and ECW star Lance Storm. Green arrived at the Tough Enough barracks early Wednesday morning.

[Droford]

Sara Lee needed to pick sexy baker for her costume

http://i.ytimg.com/vi/2mbUG-i6yK8/hqdefault.jpg

[Anybody Thrilla]

How is it fair to have someone join the cast when three eliminations have already been made? Does that not seem unfair? They could have just skipped an elimination one week and done something more fun live.

Also, fuck ZZ. I don't get his appeal. He looks like shit. Could you see him on Raw every week? That would be terrible.

I want to like Patrick, but he seems kinda douchey. It might just be his voice.

I think that caveman dude has the most potential as of now.

[Lock Jaw]

Patrick seems like a "smark".

Tanner did seem good until he started talking more and sounded like a "huge moron"

ZZ and Sara Lee are only voted for because ZZ is funny and Sara Lee is "cute/hot". If the eliminations were "legit" done by the judges/coaches, they woulda been gone.

[Anybody Thrilla]

Uhhh, all of the girls are pretty hot.

[James Steele]

I like Sara Lee. ZZ will make it to the end, but won't win. He's like Josh Mathews from season 1 only if Josh had eaten Tazz, Al Snow, and Big. Fan favorite, but reality is that he has no chance in hell of winning.

[Anybody Thrilla]

He's like Hawk, sorta. Not the Road Warrior one.

[James Steele]

Much better Tough Enough reference. Kudos, sir. I must had that the analogy would be better if we added that ZZ would be like Hawk if Hawk had eaten Tazz, Al Snow, and Big...and fucked Ivory with his cub chub.

[Emperor Smeat]

According to the Observer, USA Network is currently unhappy at the WWE with how bad the ratings and format for the current season is. Not a fan of Jericho's style of hosting but don't blame him for the poor showing overall.

According to The Wrestling Observer, sources at the USA Network indicate that officials there believe pro wrestling's popularity is cycling downward, which is indicated by the decline in ratings.

Regarding disappointing numbers for WWE Tough Enough, it was noted by The Observer that USA feels the format of Tough Enough, with how it's taped and live, isn't working because it doesn't give the Tough Enough judges enough time to make fair decisions, and the fans are only given a few minutes instead of a whole day or a whole week to vote. They feel this turns off the audience and leads to a poor word of mouth buzz.

USA officials also reportedly feel like Steve Austin was a dynamic presence with charisma that carried the previous Tough Enough season and current host Chris Jericho is seen more like a game show host. There is no blame or heat on Chris Jericho but they are blaming the format of the show because it feels more like a game show instead of a reality TV competition. USA is also reportedly concerned with how the last two Tough Enough winners, Daniel Puder and Andy Leavine, were released before never amounting to anything in WWE. The original idea behind Tough Enough was that the winner gets a WWE contract and is expected to become a star but there's a feeling now that winning the show means nothing so fans don't care.

[James Steele]

I just don't get why they are trying to reinvent the wheel. The original season of Tough Enough is still the best, IMO.

I doubt that article because if they believe that wrestling's popularity is cycling downward so badly (it's going down, but the entertainment world is becoming all about niches since people can now pick and choose what they watch) they wouldn't have adopted SD! and done a season of Tough Enough while making RAW a 3-hour show the past 3 years.

[Big Vic]

I liked the first season and the Austin Season.... dunno why they changed the format.

[James Steele]

I liked Austin being a dick, but I felt that everybody on the SCSA season was extremely unlikeable and it was blatantly a melodrama reality show. TE1 seemed and FELT like it was real and most of the characters were actually likeable.

[Big Vic]

I don't remember any contestant on there except Cameron. Loved Austin though.

[James Steele]

I feel like WWE would get more out of doing a year round reality show following young guys at the Performance Center/NXT as they persue their dreams and the struggles of being on the road. It could be a reality show that shows the heart, dedication, sacrifice, and skill involved in wrestling today and help be a positive message for wrestling. Non-fans might get into it and start watching the product when they get emotionally invested in the people behind the characters.

[James Steele]

WWE needs to think in more of the sense of NFL Films instead of VH1.

[Emperor Smeat]

I just don't get why they are trying to reinvent the wheel. The original season of Tough Enough is still the best, IMO.

I doubt that article because if they believe that wrestling's popularity is cycling downward so badly (it's going down, but the entertainment world is becoming all about niches since people can now pick and choose what they watch) they wouldn't have adopted SD! and done a season of Tough Enough while making RAW a 3-hour show the past 3 years.

Either USA really thought the current season would do Season 5-like numbers or maybe provide a small spark to RAW's own disappointing viewership/ratings sort of like what Total Divas does.

Right now the show is around a third to half of Season 5's numbers while having a shorter RAW replay act as a lead in did nothing for either show.

[James Steele]

They only did the replay once and they didn't announce it. How can you expect something to be a good lead-in if nobody knows its on?

[Dark One]

Barrett's guesting next week. I can only assume the challenge will be about getting pinned.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Would you rather just a bunch of out of shape super fans?

Nah, I'd rather the concept of Tough Enough be dropped. If these guys want to get signed, have them go through NXT like everybody else.

[Blonde Moment]

There has to be a better way for them to get people interested in the product then this.
MAybe they should show how they look for and audition talent and follow the talent around leading up to the auditions.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I remember brainstorming a show when the WWE Network first came around set in Lance Storm's academy. It'd be like a worked training show, with there being a bunch of students who are training (in a kayfabe sense) towards a big wrestling show they put on, and the winners of certain matches get to head on to NXT.

You could have three girls in the show, but only two are going to get a trial match at the show. The other girl gets bitchy and costs a girl she thinks she's better than the match, setting up a rivalry for them next "season" as the other girl shows up on NXT.

[Blonde Moment]

Sounds just as good as what they are doing now

[Mr. Nerfect]

No need to insult me like that.

[Blonde Moment]

Never the intent.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I'd have to work out a way to get Paige's breasts onto the show though.

[Blonde Moment]

I'd have to work out a way to get Paige's breasts onto the show though.

Not worth it if they are not working with body oil

[Anybody Thrilla]

Nah, I'd rather the concept of Tough Enough be dropped. If these guys want to get signed, have them go through NXT like everybody else.

Well that clearly wasn't as option when I posted that, was it?

[Black Widow]

Amanda will win on the girl side

Patrick or Tanner most likely for the guys.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

The biggest issue with the show is the nomination process for who gets voted on. Everybody should vote for their favorite before they are put in the Bottom 3. Then you will get a better view of who is actually liked and not simply who they want to survive.

They might also have better communication with the trainers and they should have a vote on who gets in the bottom three also.

[Lock Jaw]

The people should vote who gets into the bottom three and then the judges should make the elimination.

[Savio]

ZZ will win because America loves him.

[SNLfunnyguy]

Patrick FTW

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>The more I think about it the more I feel like Sara Lee is gonna win on the women's side unless WWE fudge the votes a bit.

She goes on and on about how she's quiet and reserved unlike the other women on the show. She's definitely attractive but doesn't go over-the-top to try to get by on her looks. All told you probably will wind up with a bunch of 20-something year old IWC males who vote for her because she actually comes across as "attainable".</font>

[Savio]

So we don't even get to see the promo?

.....Forgot Billy Gunn was a King....

[Lock Jaw]

Just watched this week's.... Feel like the whole episode was edited towards trying to convince people to not vote for Sara Lee, but then it all backfired in the end when she smoked it at the live promo vs Paige.

[James Steele]

Just watched this week's.... Feel like the whole episode was edited towards trying to convince people to not vote for Sara Lee, but then it all backfired in the end when she smoked it at the live promo vs Paige.

I felt the same way. Also, I think Mada and Josh are fucking horrible.

[Savio]

Hogan: "You gave the worst promo of the night"

Jericho: "...He won"

[Dark One]

Hogan: "You gave the worst promo of the night"

Jericho: "...He won"

I get where Hogan was coming from. It wasn't a great "sell a match" type of promo. It was more of a personal takedown, which I'd say is fair game, but I get what Hogan was looking for. I can see the argument for Mada's promo being a winner in that context. It wasn't eloquent, but it was a good SUPER INTENSE BIG MAN GONNA KILL YOU promo.

That said, Patrick absolutely destroyed him in Tough Talk. It was a money promo.

And then he had to apologize on Twitter today for potential offending any people with Egyptian backgrounds because GOD DAMN IT AMERICA.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I would like to apologize to any one of Egyptian decent that I've offended. Hulk Hogan asked me to be a character and I spoke in character.</p>&mdash; Patrick Clark Jr. (@ToughPatrickC) <a href="https://twitter.com/ToughPatrickC/status/621423603200983040">July 15, 2015</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>


It wasn't even 10% as bad as the shit Cena says versus Rusev or any other foreign heel. This is why we can't have nice things.

[DAMN iNATOR]

<font color=goldenrod>The more I think about it the more I feel like Sara Lee is gonna win on the women's side unless WWE fudge the votes a bit.

She goes on and on about how she's quiet and reserved unlike the other women on the show. She's definitely attractive but doesn't go over-the-top to try to get by on her looks. All told you probably will wind up with a bunch of 20-something year old IWC males who vote for her because she actually comes across as "attainable".</font>

She will win because she is from THE GREAT STATE OF MICHIGAN!

[Lock Jaw]

I like Josh on "Tough Talk", but not on the actual show... His "relationship" with The Miz is "funny" with all the "babe"s and putting his arm around his shoulder and whatnot.... Could buy "quietly weird casually over-friendly giant" as a rassling character.

[Dark One]

Looking at the cast after a few weeks and getting to see a little bit of people's physical talents/skills and promo skills, here's my rough guesses that can be mocked mercilessly in a few years.

Patrick seems to have a good chance of winning, or probably getting a development deal if he doesn't. I'm not sure what his long term prospects are, because being a "smart mark" may work well for him from a voting / WWE UNIVERSE angle, but it will probably get him destroyed in the locker room. He seems to really love the business, and being a fan can help, but we'll see.

Josh isn't going to win, but I would be stunned if he doesn't get a developmental deal. He's got the size and look that certain people in the company love, and supposedly he's Vince's favorite. Unless he nearly kills someone fucking up in training, I can't imagine he won't find his way into the company. If he can become passable in the ring, I'd be stunned if he didn't make his way to at least NXT TV just based on his size/look.

ZZ is kind of a toss-up. People love him and he can lift/toss people apparently and cardio can be improved, but will a guy in his shape get a shot? Hogan compared him to Dusty, but would a dude like Dusty get a shot nowadays? If he ever makes it to the roster, I think we're looking at more Santino than Bray Wyatt.

Mada has a decent shot at getting a developmental deal too, I would think. He's got the look/size, and he was able to cut at least one pretty decent intense promo. He choked on Tough Talk, but if he has time to think, he can put something together, based on the challenge. I don't know what his in-ring aptitude is like, but he has presence.

I don't think that any of the women will get very far, at least from what I've seen. Predictions that Sara Lee will win based on what Vito says are probably right, but she would have a long way to go to be roster ready at some point.

[DAMN iNATOR]

Totally agree with JamesSteele's assessment of TE S1 being best of all so far, and that was way the fuck back in 2001. Besides Shannon Moore and Matt Cappotelli, the ONLY other name I can remember is Maven.

Felt bad for Maven. Sure he's a 5× Hardcore Champ, but I feel like at the very least he would've been a great IC or US Champion. Don't know that he would've had all the tools/resources to be WWE or WHC, but I feel he was horribly underused. He did get to be GM of RAW in Nov. 2004 for a week as a result of his team's win @ Survivor Series, and Eric had gone on vacation. Booked himself into a World Heavyweight Championship match which I remember being pretty great even though he lost.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Maven was a weird case. They tried to do something memorable with him with Taker at the 2002 Rumble, which was really cool. They seemed to be actively trying to make Tough Enough seem important, so putting him on the WrestleMania 18 card in some capacity made sense even if it just served as an excuse to get loads of people on the show.

But after that brief stint with the Hardcore Title I'm struggling to remember anything the guy did for the next 2+ years. He was just sorta there in the undercard. Then out of nowhere they had him stand tall with Orton, Jericho, and Benoit as the "top faces of Raw" in fall 2004 lol.</font>

[Nicky Fives]

Haven't posted in here before, so I'll give my opinions:

Patrick: my personal fave, only guy that I think actually cares for the business.

ZZ: a great character and likable guy, seems like he should be offered a contract win, lose or draw. Given some time to develop, definitely could see him as a Bray Wyatt type 5 years down the line.

Mada: trying to break into the business 20 years too late, could have been huge in the Hogan-era, but the super-huge foreigner gimmick has gone by the wayside. His crazy Egyptian Pharaoh gimmick, whileintriguing back in the day, will not translate to today.

Sara Lee: Biggest potential of all the women, would need to spend a lot of time in developmental to develop though

Josh: don't like him one bit, seems like he's only on the show because he can't cut a football roster and is too scared of getting his ass kicked in MMA

Tanner: probably won't win because he comes off as bit of an asshole naturally, resembles Rollins and likely could portray a cocky, cowardly heel a la Rollins.... definitely should get a shot in developmental

GG: Trained by Lance Storm, so you know she learned something from him. Will not win, but given some time in developmental, she could becoe an Emma 2.0

Amanda: Useless Barbie doll, will likely win lol

Chelsea: Even after one show, she is by far the best woman on the show, shame she doesn't really have the Diva-look to make it in today's WWE

[Nicky Fives]

Chelsea Green, who previously appeared on WWE TV, will be replacing Dianna.

Green previously played the part of Daniel Bryan’s physical therapist during Bryan’s story line with The Authority. Stephanie McMahon accused Green and Bryan of having an affair.

I KNEW she looked familiar.....

[Rammsteinmad]

Urgh... just watched a few episodes. This show is so fake and bullshit. Not even entertaining like that last season in 2011.

[Rammsteinmad]

Will still watch bits of it though. Just fun seeing these guys out of character and behind the scenes etc.

[Anybody Thrilla]

I haven't been overly impressed by anyone. Patrick loves the business, but we all do. He's not special. His promos are weak. Fact is, he's an annoying dipshit with a stupid voice. Sara Lee's promo on Paige was not amazing. It was lame and stupid. She's cute, and that ends there.

The only person I see with any real potential out of all of these people is Josh. Possibly Mada. But definitely Josh. If they let him tap into his inner asshole, he could be a pretty decent heel, I think. He's going to have to drop that stupid Yeti bullshit, though.

[Lock Jaw]

Gonna watch this live.... gonna be too much pressure......

[RP]

Have you ever had just a peanutbutter sandwich?

[RP]

I hate Patrick.

[Evil Vito]

:lol: <font color=goldenrod>ZZ is basically Private Pyle from Full Metal Jacket.</font>

[RP]

The fans are going to vote ZZ everytime.

[Lock Jaw]

Zz gonna go into the bottom three and win the voting again... Mark my words....

[Savio]

The only person I see with any real potential out of all of these people is Josh. Possibly Mada. But definitely Josh. If they let him tap into his inner asshole,
Found that kinda funny thinking about it literally

[Savio]

Gigi should win for the girls.

[RP]

I love Sarah Lee.

[RP]

I really hate Patrick.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Patrick with a promo insulting ZZ? He's gone.</font>

[Lock Jaw]

Self destruction of Patrick....

[Lock Jaw]

Egomania running wild. . .

[Savio]

Fuck Sara Lee, she sucks.

[Lock Jaw]

Ok, if I have to.

[Mercenary]

People are actually watching this? Man it's so phony, and wwe forced bullshit I stopped after week 1

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>I would happily fuck Sara Lee.</font>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>But yeah, I can't see Patrick surviving if he makes it to the bottom 3. He went full heel. You never go full heel.</font>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>These women are a bunch of fake cunts.</font>

[Lock Jaw]

Gigi was pretty terrible there... Hope WWE Paige calls her out....

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Feel like I want to get chopped by Big Show out of morbid curiosity.</font>

[Lock Jaw]

<font color=goldenrod>Feel like I want to get chopped by Big Show out of morbid curiosity.</font>

Was thinking this the other day while slapping my own chest..... Because that is something I do...

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>ZZ is popular, Josh is supposedly Vince's favorite.

Bye bye Patrick!</font>

[RP]

Say goodbye Patrick

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Amanda SHOULD have been there but I honestly wouldn't be surprised if they were told to avoid nominating the women this week. Otherwise this thing could have become really imbalanced.</font>

[RP]

I agree with Vito Cruz about everything in this thread

[Lock Jaw]

Damn... Too much pressure..... Probably gonna vote for Josh..... Out of the three he has the look and I guess potential....

[Savio]

Josh should go, He is like TannerLite.

[RP]

It's about time someone gets saved. I bet Patrick gets saved.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Kinda hope Josh gets saved. Just don't think he deserved to be nominated.</font>

[Lock Jaw]

Voted Josh..... Made a huge mistake.... Maybe.... I dunno...

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Patrick is gonna be so salty.

Say what you will about the guy but the ZZ rant was really on-point.</font>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>ZZ is popular enough that the only way he'll probably go is if two judges use their saves in the same week.</font>

[RP]

Haha Patrick

[Lock Jaw]

Can't get a stream of WWE Network to go right now.... will have to find and download Tough Talk later..... Patrick prob gunna cry....

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Tough Talk is hilarious. You can tell the judges realize that they pretty much fucked up tonight and Bryan openly said the rules are completely stupid.</font>

[Savio]

ugh wish I could watch.

[Lock Jaw]

Just watched the Tough Talk..... yeah.... D-Bry seems to always poke holes in the reality show side of things every week....

[Lock Jaw]

After being pretty much non-existant the first few weeks, Mada has been "impressing" me.... Still think "What's a Mada with you?" every time, though....

[Simple Fan]

Yea Mada is really stepping up and seems go have the best grip on what a WWE superstar is. ZZ reminds me of Dusty a lot, if he doesn't get in shape they should just have him be a manager for a jobber. He could be The Mouth of the Swamp ZZ Hart for Axle and Sandow.

[Lock Jaw]

Wacky Wyatt Family Cousin ZZ... tries to be all "creepy" and "cryptic" like Bray, but just continually fails and gets in the way.

[Simple Fan]

Spike ZZ Wyatt

[Dark One]

Can't wait for his debut in casual as ZZ Brown.

[Savio]

Wonder if there is someone on youtube uploading "tough talk"....

Edit: Cool the WWE does.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPYuvhCl0M4

[Anybody Thrilla]

People are actually watching this? Man it's so phony, and wwe forced bullshit I stopped after week 1

Do you watch WWE at all?

[Mercenary]

Do you watch WWE at all?

Not this forced shit

[DaVe]

Just caught up on this season of Tough Enough so far.

I preferred the Austin season format but I am still really enjoying it. Patrick in the bottom 3 and getting eliminated is so ridiculous though. He is the best overall for sure.

Liking Tough Talk, too.

[RVDmark]

So am I the only person in the world who thinks Patrick was just really bland. He was good in the ring, and knew the product, but character wise, what was he going to achieve?

ZZ maybe overweight and out of shape, but if he kicks into high gear and works on his conditioning, he has the charisma to make a great superstar.

[Dark One]

So am I the only person in the world who thinks Patrick was just really bland. He was good in the ring, and knew the product, but character wise, what was he going to achieve?

ZZ maybe overweight and out of shape, but if he kicks into high gear and works on his conditioning, he has the charisma to make a great superstar.

Patrick cut a pretty good promo on Tough Talk last week. Does he have a really a "character?" No, but who of the people there has much of one?

The whole show's just kind of a joke and probably won't matter anyway, so, no real loss.

[Rammsteinmad]

Sara will end up being in the WWE.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Besides the horribly out of shape ZZ, Mada is the only other one who feels like he could have a "character". And it mostly comes down to his unique look more than anything he's actually said.</font>

[Simple Fan]

Was Hogan the judge that put Patrick up for elimination?

[Simple Fan]

Just rewatched it, Paige put him up but Hogan made it clear she beat him to it.

[Savio]

Hogan completely washed from the opening.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>That's a pretty tough challenge actually.</font>

[Lock Jaw]

Just tuned in... Missed Cesaro challenge looks like....

[RP]

I wonder who will get ZZ'ed tonight

[DAMN iNATOR]

Just rewatched it, Paige put him up but Hogan made it clear she beat him to it.

He did CLAIM it was because of his ego and nothing else, but I dunno, he could've just been parroting Paige's rationale.

[RP]

Tanner is gonna get ZZ'ed

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Who would have thought that the girl trained by Lance Storm would have been the most impressive one in the ring? Shocker.</font>

[Lock Jaw]

Anything I need to know from the first ten minutes of the show that will influence my voting....

[RP]

I'm in love with Sara Lee

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Nah</font>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Tanner deserves to stay just because of how he always grabs the popcorn when the girls start to bitch at each other.</font>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>If they eliminate Mada or some dumb shit just because he called ZZ out on being terrible like Patrick did last week, that's really a load of shit.</font>

[RP]

Mada is getting ZZ'ed

[Lock Jaw]

What's a Mada with you?

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Seriously Mada's actually shown up and looked good up until this week. If he actually gets ZZ'ed I might pull a Foley and just stop watching the show. At a certain point it just becomes clear that nothing that actually happens on the show matters.</font>

[RP]

I want to have a drink of Sara Lee

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>This is the most Tamina has done in the ring since managing the Usos.</font>

[Evil Vito]

:lol:

<font color=goldenrod>No selling at all from anyone except Chelsea. Let's hear JR complain about the business being exposed.</font>

[Lock Jaw]

Tamina's finisher no longer credible.

[Savio]

lol pretty much

[Savio]

Except now in the WWE people kick out of like 3 finishers a match.

[RP]

MADA IS GETTING ZZ'ED!

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Miz save Amanda cause she's hot
Bryan or Paige save Mada because he doesn't deserve to be there

Please. Get ZZ out.</font>

[Lock Jaw]

Gonna vote for Mada

[RP]

Goodbye Mada

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Yeah...if Mada is eliminated after that plea, I'm done.</font>

[Lock Jaw]

Probably the easiest vote for me to decide.

[Lock Jaw]

Amanda probably going home, though.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Mada not only sounded confident in his plea, but he nailed it 30 seconds basically on the nose. KEEP HIM!</font>

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Done...fuck this show.</font>

[RP]

LMAO

YOU'VE BEEN ZZ'ED

[Savio]

....wow...

[Lock Jaw]

Yeah.... Done with this show as well....

[Lock Jaw]

I say as I will probably watch next week.

[RP]

They should have Mada run out on Raw and attack The Miz for screwing him. Oh wait..WWE don't know how to write obvious.

[Lock Jaw]

WWE network stream showing Mick Foley thing and not tough talk...

[erickman]

They should have Mada run out on Raw and attack The Miz for screwing him. Oh wait..WWE don't know how to write obvious.

yeah I want to see mada kick his ass next week

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>Mada may well end up getting signed down the line. Dude can talk.

It's pretty clear most of the audience is just pulling for a ZZ win for the lolz at this point.</font>

[Lock Jaw]

Byron Saxton terrible at this....

[Lock Jaw]

Saxton looks bored