Tough Enough: Talk The Talk (5/23/11)

Well this week Tough Enough was about charisma. In the wrestling world, despite what TNA thinks, you have to be entertaining and the one way to do that, outside and inside the ring, is with good or great charisma.

There were two stages of competition.

First the competitors had to lead a tour on a bus on Hollywood Boulevard. Bill had brough Pysch's James Roday to help judge the competition. I'll summarize this whole thing by saying that everyone seemed very uncomfortable, especially Christina and Andy, except for Jeremiah. He shined and was the star of this challenge.

Then at the gym was the big challenge. First they got to wrestle with Stone Cold's special guest, The Rock. Yes I wrote that right, Rock actually got in the ring and wrestled around with the rookies. It was actually a pleasure to watch. Then afterward, instead of leaving, he stuck around to help Stone Cold, Bill and Trish judge the contestants as they cut promos on Bill. I will say that all the guys did a good job, AJ though stood out with the best promo of the night, Christina was by far the worst.

Then it came down to elimination time.

Bottom 3

• Christina
• AJ
• Andy

Well this wasn't a big surprise. What was a HUGE surprise was Andy breaking down and blowing up on Stone Cold. It's EXACTLY what he wanted. Austin finally lit the fire under Andy's ass and he was given one last chance.

Eliminated: AJ and Christina

Well that's that. We are now down to three men. This should be fun.

Tough Enough: Injury Prone (5/16/11)

Normally when I write about this I would spend time talking about the show, especially since it started off with such promise with the show being about creativity. In this weeks' case about the silly video game challenge that I enjoyed and the dinner out with the Divas. But unfortunately this episode was totally marred by freak injuries. With those injuries two favorites went home and  the field was suddenly down to four.

First was Martin who had a very freak injury. He was actually simply getting out of the ring and stepped down on his angle wrong and then boom he was down and in alot of pain. When he went down I was shocked. In the promos leading up they said injuries were taking a toll but I never expected it to hit the main top dog in the cast. He went to the hospital and when he returned to the gym he informed Stone Cold, the coaches and the rest of the cast that he wasn't cleared to go and had to stop with the competition. What followed was a great moment. Stone Cold took him into his office and after a talk, he told him to put his belt up on the wall, because he's not leave because he's not tough enough, he's leaving because he can't go anymore.

So after he leaves, we get into the skills challenge. It was a challenge to see how creative they could all be in the ring, the one key was that they had to perform at least one move off the top rope. Well first up where Christina and A.J. Things were going really good till Christina went to the top rope to hit a cross-body, AJ wasn't positioned right and Christina landed wrong and her knee went out. My jaw hit the ground and I was actually yelling "No! This can't be happening!" at the TV. Stone Cold and Bill were also both in shock.

As Christina was taken away in the ambulance, Stone Cold announced that the rest of the guys had the rest of the day off and there would be no other eliminations that night.

With three episodes left, and four competitors left, things should really get interesting fast especially since it almost feels like the field has been reset for the first time all season.

Tough Enough: Double Elimination (5/9/11)

This week's show as about focus and made for a very interseting show.

As a wrestling fan I truly enough this episode. Most of the show was actually in the ring. There's not a whole lot to say about this week because it was so much wrestling. This week Andy really stood out in the ring but is still super green but isn't that the whole point of this show to mold a green wrestler and turned him into a superstar?

The only real crazy moment of note was John Morrison guest starring along side an insane climbing course. It was one of the toughest challenges on reality TV in a long time hands down. Poor Eric stood no chance in this thing and got stuck twice. It was sad really.

In a really tough and challenging skills challenge, Luke regained his top spot.

The other item of note was that Ivelisse was still dealing with her leg injury from last week and it showed big time. I do give her credit for really trying to compete.

Bottom 3

• A.J.
• Eric
• Ivelisse

Eric and Ivelisse I expected big time, but A.J. I think that was meant as a wake up call.

Eliminated: Ivelisse and Eric

Stone Cold had to let Invelisse go or she was going to hurt herself. Eric was so out of shape that he should have gone home weeks ago. No major surprises or disappointments here this week at all.

Tough Enough: Strike Three (5/2/11)

This week on Tough Enough the theme was about teamwork. Even I had to ask what does teamwork have to do with a indiviual competition but then I almost sounded as green as most of the cast. That might have had to do with the early hour I was watching the show.

First we had a very very difficult obstacle course which almost killed the competititon, but worked for what it was supossed to. Then Rey Mysterio was in the ring waiting for them when they got inside to talk about the struggles and tribulations of being a small wrestler in the business. No matter how many times you hear him talk about it, it's nice to hear. I have always and will always respect that man.

Then we had the first official injury of the season. Ivelisse tore her hamstring because she was going full steam, like she was supossed to, through Christina's legs when she was performing a leapfrog. Christina dropped back down too soon and land up on Ivelisse's head and she landed wrong. Luckily she was okay...for now.

Can I say that they was nothing funnier this week than watching a bunch of dwarfs totally kick the wrestlers' asses in basketball? I'm not sure how that was a life lesson but it was damn funny.

Onto the skills competition. Martin stood tall for the third week in a row as the last man standing.

Bottom 3

• Ryan
• Christina
• Luke

I'll admit seeing Luke in the bottom three was VERY surprising. But watching Stone Cold put him in his place was worth the price of admission. Christina I expected, especially after the injury. I still don't get how she can have dancing and cheerleading experience and NOT be able to perform a leapfrog. She's in trouble if she doesn't improve soon.

Eliminated: Ryan

Well Stone Cold said it perfectly, three strikes you're out. Two weeks in a row someone got eliminated under that logic and it's totally fair. There should be no reason if you think you are so good than you should be in the bottom three, three weeks in a row.

Tough Enough: It's Starting To Get Real (4/25/11)

This week's show was about agility. It seemed to be the most important week so far. It showed who the best trained wrestlers are and who just can't seem to pick it up.

I'll keep this pretty short and sweet.

This week Rima was sent home without even getting to the Bottom 3. It's was almost like a strike three you're out kind of deal.

That's about it for this week. Sorry for lack of full recap, it's hard to explain everything that went on this week, especially on such little sleep.

WWE Tough Enough: Technical Aspect (4/18/11)

Another very entertaining episode of Tough Enough this week. This week's theme was about technique which led to alot of actual wrestling which I appreicated.

The show started with an endurance race that Luke won, and surprised Rima was the first girl to get to the end. Eric was TERRIBLE as he finished almost a half hour after the leaders.

As for the ring work was concerned, it was first of all great to see Austin back in the ring running the ropes, showing the basics. He is better coach then I ever expected. The first part was about reversals and stuff like that. (They actually had Big Show in the ring for some of this too) Michelle seemed very off.

We then learned that Michelle really misses her daughter and he came to the conclusion that her family was more important to her than the WWE and handed in her belt. Austin completely respected her decision and she left the show.

Then we get to the funniest challenge yet, the cheerleading challenge. I'm sorry but seeing the guys in cheerleading outfits was worth it for me. Rima surprisingly had alot of trust issues in this and almost cost her group (they seperated into three group for pyrimids) and almost busted her neck. (Stacy Keibler returned WWE TV for the first time in years to help the teams. I do have a bone to pick with Jeremiah though, how long have you been watching wrestling? How did you NOT know who Stacy was? Give me a break!)

Back to the ring where they have what amounts to an elimination style tournament where all the contestants would take and give moves until there was one standing. It was actually showing who has the talent and who doesn't. Martin won and earned the coaches' respect that they even dropped his nickname and called him by his real name for the first time all season.

Bottom Three

• Mickael
• Ryan
• Rima

Well Rima saved her ass by showing that she wants to learn and asked for one on one time with either Bill or Booker and Austin granted her wish and she was dismissed for the ring. As for Mickael and Ryan, Austin pretty much let them cut a promo on each other telling them why they should stay. If you didn't see the show and want to see how a young wrestler cuts a promo, watch the last five minutes of last night's show. Ryan totally owned Mickael and with that Austin sent Mickael home.

Tough Enough: Lesson in Courage (4/11/11)

Well I learned a couple of things this week on this courage themed TE.

#1, I NEVER want to be chased down by trained guard dogs. Those dogs are the most vicious animals I've ever seen. Even with the padding I'm shocked no one left bleeding or hurt in anyway.

#2, NEVER be late for practice because Bill will never let it go and I really don't blame him.

#3, Bill DeMott is a TOTAL asshole but badass at the same time. You would think I would feel bad for the girls when they got squashed in the corner and then bodyslammed by Bill over and over again. I didn't, this show is called Tough Enough for a reason. The trainers are going to beat the shit out of you in everyway possible.

Overall a very good show.

Now for the bottom three...

Rima-Miss USA. No joke. She is actually improving but Austin doesn't know if her body can keep up with the pace of a WWE superstar.
Matt-The nine year indy wrestler that just wasn't showing everything that he has.
Ryan-The nice guy, almost more concerned with his girlfriend than becoming a star.

First of all I knew Rima would be safe. She was mainly here as a wake up call for being late. So that came down to Ryan and Matt. I figured Ryan would go home but when Stone Cold sent home Matt I was surprised but also happy because it showed that even though you have the talent doesn't mean you have what it takes to make it in the big leagues. Especially when you don't even show up when you are challenged by the trainers.

Tough Enough:The Revival Debut

This week Tough Enough finally returned to television and I couldn't be happier.

Stone Cold Steve Austin makes a very good host. He's believeable and uses his WWE celebrity to his advantage. People respect him for everything he's accomplished. But at the same time he's such a hardass.

The coaches started off well, Trish, Booker and Bill DeMott were good. Hopefully we get to see more of them in the weeks to come.

Now for the bottom three...

Michelle-The "11 year vet" who looked greener than some of the rookies on the show.
Eric-The independent wrestler who joined this show completely out of shape.
Ariane-The girl who just came on to be a diva.

I'm so happy that Stone Cold sent Ariane home. She didn't have the passion for the business that you need to make it in the industry. I doesn't matter if you are new to wrestling, you should at least learn your history before going on a show like this. She pretty much slid her fate when she said her favorite match was Melina vs. Alica Fox. I'm sorry no offense to Melina and all but that's a joke, Alica Fox should be no where near the top matches ever.

Personally I can't wait to take the time to review this show over the next 14 weeks. I get to talk about wrestling with no issues for the next 14 weeks. What more can a die hard fan ask for?