This past Monday, the "original reality show" Tough Enough returned to airwaves amidst tons of mainstream media buzz. Tough Enough, which last aired as a weekly competition on SmackDown in the fall of 2004, already had a big following when it was announced that Stone Cold Steve Austin would be at the helm as the show's host, replacing former host Al Snow, who hasn't worked with the WWE since 2007. Other trainers include former WWE Women's Champion Trish Stratus, former WCW & WWE World Champion Booker T, and former Tough Enough trainer & WCW US Champion Bill DeMott, formerly known as Hugh Morrus.
From the get-go, the show was a complete turn around from the original run of the series. It gave off more of a 2011 reality show feel, which isn't a bad thing. It was amazingly produced and edited together, and came across as way more professional than the way MTV did it nearly 10 years ago.
The contestants, chosen by both USA Networks and WWE Vice President Kevin Dunn, all have their own unique traits that already make them stand out on their own. Most notably, current Miss USA Pageant winner Rima Fakih, is one of the contestants, mixed in with other athletes, models and even a few independent wrestlers using this as a catapult into the WWE. Such as Matthew Capiccioni, also known as M-Dogg20 and Matt Cross, a veteran on the indy scene from nearly 10 years.
The first episode wasn't without controversy, seeing Miss USA herself use protective padding hidden under her shorts to dull the pain of running the ropes and being berated for it. And who can forget one of the most memorable eliminations in the shows history? Ariane Andrew, a wrestling fan for something short of two years who was only in this "for the experience", was eliminated by Steve Austin during the elimination ceremony. What sealed her fate? Not only her lack of desire and passion for the business, but when asked by Austin what her favorite match of all time was, she answered "Melina vs. Alica Fox", which left Austin and wrestling fans stunned.
No disrespect to Melina or Alicia Fox, the former of whom has gone public on Twitter to express her disdain over Austin's reaction to the answer, but when you're asked to name your favorite match, you don't give an answer like that. Needless to say, she wasn't "Tough Enough", or even meant for that business.
Be that as it may, she was signed to a developmental deal by the WWE and sent to Florida Championship Wrestling just one day after the episode aired. Goes to show you where Kevin Dunn & Johnny Ace's heads are at. Simply awful.
According to PWInsider, the Tough Enough premiere drew a 2.51 rating with 3,326,000 viewers, an absolutely strong showing coming off of 3 previous hours of WWE programming, including the airing of the Hall of Fame ceremony and of course, Monday Night Raw.
Starting this Monday, Tough Enough moves into his permanent time slot of 8pm EST, preceding Monday Night Raw. No doubt this will make the ratings even higher as a lead in for one of the most popular sports entertainment shows in history. To make things even more interesting, the first in a long line of guest stars will appear as company ace John Cena will appear to talk to the students.
For more information, check out: http://www.usanetwork.com/series/toughenough/
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