WWF Tough Enough

[Zeeboe]

Anyone just love this show when it first came out? I absolutely loved season one. I'm actually right in the middle of watching the episodes again because I bought the whole season on DVD when it first came out. It's been literally several years since I watched these episodes, so they're almost new again.

I honestly really didn't care that much for the seasons that followed. I thought they were all a bunch of drama queens and crybabies. In season two, you had some love affair thing going on instead of focusing on the actual wrestling like they did in season one. Then you had that Matt kid crying cause Bob Holly kicked his ass a little bit, and it just seemed like every week, someone was crying about something! I remember Hawk, a guy who I found to be highly entertaining just cried for the sake of it one time! Then there was that Asian dude who was always crying it seemed. It was insane. Was this "Tough Enough" or "Sissy Enough"? Anyhow, I found the entire cast of season one to very likeable and tough. I'd actually hate it when one of the cast members would leave, whereas in the other seasons, I'd be cheering when certain people would leave, and wanna mute the TV when the rejects would be whining about getting the boot.

Christopher Nowinski was my pick to win from the start. I still think to this day he should have won, but MTV needed a heel when Darryl left. I guess because they could use the Harvard thing as an angle, but I never found him to be as cocky as MTV wanted people to think he was. A little anti-social, and had the tendencies to be a mean drunk, but that was it. It's a shame his career ended. He truly did have a future in wrestling. I loved his gimmick when he came to the WWE, and he had some great matches. For the most part, I'm pretty anti-young wrestler, but Nowinski was one of the few wrestlers who's ring and mic skills I enjoyed.

[Anybody Thrilla]

What year is it right now?

I loved Tough Enough. All three seasons. It produced John Morrison, for shit sake.

I have a question, though....how are you "anti-young wrestler"?

[Zeeboe]

What year is it right now?

Um, it's 2009 I think. Or are you asking what year the show came out? In that case, 2001.


I have a question, though....how are you "anti-young wrestler"?

Okay, since you asked, I'll tell ya:

I just don't think many of them can wrestle, their mic skills suck, and it seems that most of them are only in the business because of who their Daddies are. And, I have an old-school way of thinking, and believe the younger lions should mid-card, and earn their way to the top. I think wrestlers that are lder should run the show and main event. That's how it use to be, and it was that way for decades. I know many online fans think that back in the WCW days that it was wrong for guys like Nash and Hogan to hold the young guys back, but really, that's how wrestling always was. The old lions have always be in charge of the jungle until recent years.

On Season One of Tough Enough, a theme was earning respect, and I just don't think kids like Orton or Cena have ever really earned their spots. Like I was posting last week, The Rock and Triple H were mid-carding in 1997. Bret Hart was mid-carding through out the 80's, and Shawn Michaels didn't become a top face until he was 30. Hogan was 31 before he became a big star, as was Austin and Foley. None of those guys were twenty-something year old college looking kids like Orton and his stable when they hit the main event scene.

I tell ya, if this was going on just a few years ago, I suspect there would have been a lot of heat in the locker room for allowing a bunch of kids to be the main event. Lions who use to eat the young cubs like The Undertaker, Bradshaw, Hardcore Holly, and Curt Hennig would be having a feast with Orton and his stable, and putting them out of business for quite some time by being stiff with them in the ring. In general, I don't like that Orton kid, mainly for the stuff he's done beyond the business. Years ago, I think this was around 2004....Orton pulled some sort of nonsense, and I recall someone saying on another board that they needed to feed that boy to the Undertaker. I'm still waiting for Taker' to stiff him up some! But because he's Cowboy Bob Orton's kid, he'll probably never get his legit and well deserve ass-whipping. If he ever pulls some more nonsense, they'll just give him a talk n' to, instead of letting one of the old guys stiff him up like they use to back in the day.

Wrestling has changed so much. It's all about who your Dad is, and who's ass you kiss now. :n:

[Anybody Thrilla]

You don't think a performer's talent should have anything to do with his push? Just his age? Do you think "Hacksaw" Jim Duggan should be main eventing right now?

Also, if you want to talk about "nonsense" outside of the ring, Randy Orton is hardly the only person to be pointing fingers at.

[Chavo Classic]

The Ultimate Fighter > Tough Enough.

Having said that, they're both pretty terrible

[The Taint]

There has been worse stuff than this.

[FourFifty]

I have a very high disregard for reality tv in general.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Was never a big fan of Tough Enough, but here are some great things it had produced:

John Morrison
Kenny King
Josh Mathews
Christopher Nowinski (while he lasted)
Matt Cappotelli (while he lasted)

The WWE should really look into hiring Kenny King. The guy is like Shelton Benjamin, but comfortable on the mic.

[Anybody Thrilla]

I don't remember Kenny King.

[Anybody Thrilla]

The show also produced the greatest Royal Rumble elimination of all time, thanks to Maven and The Undertaker.

[James Steele]

I still wish they'd bring in Greg from season 1. He was going to win that show easy until his back kicked up. Greg/Josh would have been a cool tag team.

[Lock Jaw]

Maven was just starting to find himself in the WWE went they let him go.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I don't remember Kenny King.

I think he was one of the guys from Tough Enough 3, which gave the world John Morrison and Matt Cappotelli -- who were probably the best actual wrestlers to emerge from the show.

He was athletic as fuck, and while I didn't follow the show, I remember people talking about how he should be signed to a contract if he didn't win. It never happened, but he stuck with the business and is really quite fucking good. He looks comfortable as fuck out there in front of a crowd. He's currently teaming with Rhett Titus in ROH and is aligned as a sort of stable under Austin Aries.

Here's a singles match featuring him from the first ROH HDNet show. He's facing "The New Horror" Sami Callahan.

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[Mr. Nerfect]

The show also produced the greatest Royal Rumble elimination of all time, thanks to Maven and The Undertaker.

Maven was just starting to find himself in the WWE
went they let him go.

:y:

I forgot to mention Maven. He was never too great in the ring, but when he eliminated The Undertaker, it was a true mark-out moment. His heel run towards the end of his WWE career was pretty magnificent, actually. Sure, some say it was cheap heat, but at the first New Year's Revolution in Puerto Rico, I loved it when he went right up to a woman at ringside's face and yelled "I can't understand what you're saying!"

That the WWE pretty much pulled the plug on him because they didn't feel he was a good enough worker was a bit rough. The guy was pretty much built from scratch by them, so he didn't have the years of training and practice on the independent circuit that so many other guys have. Plus, he wasn't even that bad. Dude never had a five-star match, but the WWE have employed far, far worse.

[Evil Vito]

<font color=goldenrod>I loved when they would have wrestlers come in and critique them. I remember Triple H made an appearance on one show to talk about selling/taking a bump...and he was practicing punches on people and he said to one guy "if you sold that in the ring I'd hit you for real"

Must have blown for that guy as that probably spelt the end for him</font> :o

[Innovator]

Yeah that guy quit after HHH's speech about being away from your family

[Rammsteinmad]

Which I'm sure Triple H knows all about doesn't he. :roll:

[Lock Jaw]

Probably did it on purpose just to hold him down.

[Anybody Thrilla]

I remember that episode.

"If you sold for me like that in the ring, I'd pop ya one for real".

[Evil Vito]

<div><object width="480" height="414"><param name="movie" value="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/x2a4sz_triple-h-guest-appearance-on-te_sport&related=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/x2a4sz_triple-h-guest-appearance-on-te_sport&related=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="414" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always"></embed></object><br /><b><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2a4sz_triple-h-guest-appearance-on-te_sport">Triple H Guest Appearance on T.E.</a></b><br /><i>Uploaded by <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/KazDaGr81">KazDaGr81</a></i></div>

<font color=goldenrod>lol at everybody being afraid of him</font>

[Lock Jaw]

lol at that one girl.

HHH: What makes you want to be a wrestler?
Girl: It's a challenge.
HHH: Are you a fan?
Girl: ... Not a big fan.

[Loose Cannon]

yea, I watched that last week. I felt scared just watching them feel terrified

[Loose Cannon]

it's funny, what he says about Maven is pretty much what type of person Maven became outside the ring towards the end of his career.

[Lock Jaw]

<div><object width="480" height="381"><param name="movie" value="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/x6t0cq_tough-enough-iii-cowinners-matt-cap_sport&related=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.dailymotion.com/swf/x6t0cq_tough-enough-iii-cowinners-matt-cap_sport&related=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="480" height="381" allowFullScreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always"></embed></object><br /><b><a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6t0cq_tough-enough-iii-cowinners-matt-cap_sport">Tough Enough III co-winners Matt Cappotelli vs John Hennigan</a></b><br /><i>Uploaded by <a href="http://www.dailymotion.com/2kdam">2kdam</a></i></div>

[Mr. Nerfect]

John Morrison was even the man then. He wasn't nearly as polished, but for a guy who had just started, he was better than a lot of guys with years of practice.

Those kendo stick shots the end were sick, though. I never really liked it how the WWE would hold these competitions, then bring these guys in almost with sadistic ire from the boys in the back. Maven didn't seem to get too much of it, which was good for him, I guess.

[Shaggy]

I loved Maven, he was one of my top wrestlers at the time but it just seemed that WWE didnt know what to do with him.

I always think of him when I see Carlito wrestle because before Carlito had the backstabber Maven was the one who actually used it before him. Im not sure how many matches he actually used it in I just remember he first popped it off against The Hurricane on Velocity I think.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I loved Maven, he was one of my top wrestlers at the time but it just seemed that WWE didnt know what to do with him.

I always think of him when I see Carlito wrestle because before Carlito had the backstabber Maven was the one who actually used it before him. Im not sure how many matches he actually used it in I just remember he first popped it off against The Hurricane on Velocity I think.

It would have been Heat. And yeah, that was a pretty sick finish when Maven busted it out. I think he used to call it "The Mavenator." Could have just been an unofficial nickname given to it by internet folk, but I'm sure I heard it referred to as such.

[Lock Jaw]

Yeah, I remember though that Maven's looked better than Carlito's. Possibly because Maven was all about being a high jumper.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I was wrong. Did some research and Kenny King was a contestant on Tough Enough II. That was the one that Linda Miles and Jackie Gayda won, and people were pissed off because Jake and Kenny should have won it, but they just signed the ladies for the hell of it.

Turns out he trained with Nick Bockwinkel and Scott Casey afterwards, which is pretty impressive. Good for him.

For those wondering, the trainers responsible for John Morrison were Al Snow, Bill DeMott and Ivory.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Yeah, I remember though that Maven's looked better than Carlito's. Possibly because Maven was all about being a high jumper.

Maybe that finish was why Maven got bad reports? Carlito seems to go a bit gentler with it, like he is actually trying to protect the guy when he grabs them and pulls them back onto his knees.

[Theo Dious]

Tough Enough I was exceptionally interesting for me, mostly by view of seeing how the actual wrestlers behaved towards the wannabes.

[Theo Dious]

Which I'm sure Triple H knows all about doesn't he. :roll:

Sure, because he has absolutely no family at all, does he.

[James Steele]

Sure, because he has absolutely no family at all, does he.

That was also filmed before HHH/Steph started dating, but don't let reality get in the way of his smarkness.

Also, his sister, parents, nieces, and nephews live on the road with him...WHAT POLITICAL BOLLOCKS.

[Mr. Nerfect]

It was a fucking joke. Man, you people take things so seriously when someone makes one jesting comment about Triple H, well, doing what he has actually done.

[Nervous Ferret]

Daniel Pewter

[James Steele]

It was a fucking joke. Man, you people take things so seriously when someone makes one jesting comment about Triple H, well, doing what he has actually done.

Noid, shut the fuck up. Seriously, you only contribute long-winded posts that nobody takes seriously because they are full of delusional bullshit and some absurd angle to make some overrated indy darling or midcard wonderboy a World Champion. Also, you are one of the worst about bitching about Triple H for the stupidest shit. If you are going to bitch about Triple H, at least bitch about something you actually know about and not what some retard internet writer says happens.

[Theo Dious]

It was a fucking joke. Man, you people take things so seriously when someone makes one jesting comment about Triple H, well, doing what he has actually done.

Suggesting that Triple H somehow had no family when he made those remakrs just because he wasn't married with kids at the time is a) a retarded thing to say, b) insulting to the family he does have and spent so much time away from, and c) I'm not going to sit here and put up with people talk shit on someone I like and their family because they think they're some kind of in-the-know hotshot. Just because you were left on a doorstep like Alvin and the goddamn Chipmunks doesn't mean that other people wouldn't miss their parents when they were on the road for weeks/months at a time.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Noid, shut the fuck up. Seriously, you only contribute long-winded posts that nobody takes seriously because they are full of delusional bullshit and some absurd angle to make some overrated indy darling or midcard wonderboy a World Champion. Also, you are one of the worst about bitching about Triple H for the stupidest shit. If you are going to bitch about Triple H, at least bitch about something you actually know about and not what some retard internet writer says happens.

I wasn't the one who made the comment, dingbat. And, if I do bitch about Triple H, it is usually something like "he bores me," "his run after he got back from injury until, well, now, has been tedious." Also, this post is shorter than your's, so suck a cock.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Suggesting that Triple H somehow had no family when he made those remakrs just because he wasn't married with kids at the time is a) a retarded thing to say, b) insulting to the family he does have and spent so much time away from, and c) I'm not going to sit here and put up with people talk shit on someone I like and their family because they think they're some kind of in-the-know hotshot. Just because you were left on a doorstep like Alvin and the goddamn Chipmunks doesn't mean that other people wouldn't miss their parents when they were on the road for weeks/months at a time.

a) Define "retarded." I think your post is a retarded thing to say. This is really quite subjective.

b) Wow, if they're not used to hearing their son, who was one of the leading villains in professional wrestling, get criticised by now...but seriously, if something like this really insults them, I do not envy how boring their life must be. You don't know the family, so wouldn't that make you an "in-the-know hotshot?"

Everyone has family that they can't see sometimes. Children want to see their mummy on the first day of school. Eventually someone close to you dies. That is life. All that Rammsteinmad did was make a joke "LOL at Triple H talking about family while his wife is on the road with him." He never wished harm on anyone. Get over yourself, and get over Triple H.

c) LOL! It's quite funny watching grown men get so defensive and emotional about an oiled up guy in speedos. You've got your own family to look out for before you start worrying about a man who's family you don't know.

I'm not sure if that Alvin and the Chipmunks comment was aimed at me, or Rammy, but it's ridiculous either way. A professional wrestler chooses to go on the road. I'm not saying that makes it easy to leave your family, but hey, if the separation is too much pain: GO BACK HOME! I can't believe I'm even having this conversation with people. Also, IT WAS A FUCKING JOKE! A LIGHT-HEARTED REMARK BASED ON A WITTY OBSERVATION THAT DIDN'T NEED TO BE GROUNDED ENTIRELY WITHIN REALITY!

For fuck's sake. Carnies defending carnies makes your head spin.

[Theo Dious]

a) Define "retarded." I think your post is a retarded thing to say. This is really quite subjective.

Retarded=possessing severe, debilitating mental deficiencies. See also, you.

What Rammsteinmad said was not a joke, jackass. It was a claim that what Triple H had said is invalid. A stupid claim. It wasn't lighthearted, it was yet another in a long series of shots aimed at someone who it is apparently okay to insult because "he's evil" or something. You want to critisize the man, there are plenty of ways to do it that would boil down to differences of opinion. But claiming that the man has no basis to talk about being away from family is asinine, and if he's going to post something like that, he should expect supporters of the man to hit back.

A professional wrestler chooses to go on the road. I'm not saying that makes it easy to leave your family, but hey, if the separation is too much pain: GO BACK HOME!

Way to prove that you are, in fact, a moron. That is exactly what Triple H was saying to those people. "You want to do this, it's going to put you away from people you care about. And it's going to be rough. But that's what you choose if you want to be a wrestler." And, again, Rammsteinmad chose to make a baseless and snide insinuation that somehow a guy who has spent loads of time away from his family has no right to comment on spending time away from your family. Right.

And finally:

c) LOL! It's quite funny watching grown men get so defensive and emotional about an oiled up guy in speedos. You've got your own family to look out for before you start worrying about a man who's family you don't know.

You are a coward for hiding behind the "ha ha u guys r dum coz u like ressling" attitude. And all you're doing is supporting what JS and I took exception to in the first place: that Rammsteinmad had no place taking a shot at someone on a subject that he knows nothing about. In summary, thank you for being so stupid that you forget what side of the argument you're on.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Retarded=possessing severe, debilitating mental deficiencies. See also, you.

What Rammsteinmad said was not a joke, jackass. It was a claim that what Triple H had said is invalid. A stupid claim. It wasn't lighthearted, it was yet another in a long series of shots aimed at someone who it is apparently okay to insult because "he's evil" or something. You want to critisize the man, there are plenty of ways to do it that would boil down to differences of opinion. But claiming that the man has no basis to talk about being away from family is asinine, and if he's going to post something like that, he should expect supporters of the man to hit back.

You chose to take it so seriously. If that makes you unhappy, well that's your own silly fault. If you eased up a bit, enjoyed life a bit more, then something like this would be one of the last things that bothered you. Don't try and make other people feel bad because of your decision to interpret things so coldly.

Way to prove that you are, in fact, a moron. That is exactly what Triple H was saying to those people. "You want to do this, it's going to put you away from people you care about. And it's going to be rough. But that's what you choose if you want to be a wrestler." And, again, Rammsteinmad chose to make a baseless and snide insinuation that somehow a guy who has spent loads of time away from his family has no right to comment on spending time away from your family. Right.

So Triple H insulted his family by choosing wrestling over them?!? Oh my God! The world is now going to implode! Will you stand by Triple H or Triple H's family? The tension is killing me!

You are a coward for hiding behind the "ha ha u guys r dum coz u like ressling" attitude. And all you're doing is supporting what JS and I took exception to in the first place: that Rammsteinmad had no place taking a shot at someone on a subject that he knows nothing about. In summary, thank you for being so stupid that you forget what side of the argument you're on.

I love wrestling. But I'm not the one who tears up whenever someone makes a joke about my favourite wrestlers. Hell, my favourite wrestlers ARE jokes. Rammsteinmad is allowed to take a shot at whatever he wants. He's fucking Rammsteinmad. OF COURSE Triple H has family away from the wrestling business. If you are stupid enough to think that someone is ignornant of that, then you're just making yourself look foolish. It's just ironic that Triple H is talking about being away from your family, and then marries into the family that runs everything.

Get over it, and go spend some time with your own family.

[Mr. Nerfect]

This thread was supposed to break down into appreciation of Morrison's abs. :rant:

[James Steele]

http://i46.photobucket.com/albums/f105/TwistedSteeleEntertainment/edge-ibetyoulovedickscopy.jpg

[Mr. Nerfect]

Yeah, I like dicks because I'm clearly not craving Triple H's. As far as childish slurs go, that one is pretty ironic.