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[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]WWE will release Tough Enough S1 from 2001 on the WWE Network Monday afternoon. It’s the DVD version, containing extended footage and without end credits, apart from the finale, which is the TV version and missing Vince interviewing the finalists. Here\’s a review of the double-episode pilot!
From over 4,000 audition tapes, WWF invite 230 to try out at their New York restaurant. They judge their physique and conditioning, see how they deal with questions/prodding and their promo ability. This episode is the best and the worst of that. The judges call back 25 finalists, and choose their final 13 to be on the Tough Enough reality show.
Thoughts on the show:
• This casting premiere is a 44-minute (double episode), with 14 episodes total (the next 13 are recorded over 9 weeks), aired June-September 2001.
• At the 230-person tryout are Al Snow, Tazz, Jacquelline, Mick Foley, producer John “Big” Gaburick, Kevin Dunn, and MTV producers. Even if they could get people in and out in 2 minutes that’d take almost 8 hours. Foley is barely featured and is not a trainer (that’s Al Snow, Tazz, Jacqueline and Tori, from X-Pac and Tori’s Christmas Story)
• Hey look – it’s EVP of TV Production, Kevin Dunn! Or as Jim Cornette calls him, “you fucking Bucky-Beaver motherfucker”
• Al Snow runs down what they’re looking for: Charisma, determination, dedication, personality, energy and most importantly, physique.
• Despite that last one (which in WWE, IS the most important) some were joke auditions for the cameras (eg really overweight fellas).
• Tazz calls himself 5’9″, 240 lbs. That’s just garbage, lol – he’s like 5’4″. He says he’ll fight for guys perceived as too small, and intentionally riles the contestants up to see how they conduct themselves.
• Josh Matthews is the first audition tape seen and is shown waiting in line to register, pretty cool.
• There’s a jakked dude who’s “just recently fallen in love”. Really staged, his girlfriend says “I love you”, and candidly he tells WWF that “I love having emotions”. AMAZING. That’s something Always Sunny’s Dennis would say.
• #56 has crib-notes on her wrist, Rock-style. Amazing.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_column_text]• Maven – immediately earmarked for success. “He looks like a kid in a pro-wrestling school”, “he reminded me a lot of Kurt Angle.”
• Daryl. I remember this guy. He forgot to wash his ass during the show. Even though he’s out of shape, since he’s 6’7″ and a hefty dude, he makes the final cut. An MTV exec describes him as “really intelligent, that has a lot to say about what’s going on the world” which is hilarious bullshit, the best he could think of on the spot. They’ve high hopes for him.
• Kenneth from Rhode Island is a custodian, whose gimmick is “The Evil Custodian”. He kicks off his promo with “nobody likes the custodian” deadpan serious, which breaks the lads instantly.
• Chris Nowinski mentions Harvard and has a quick, very positive pow-wow with the lads, he’ll make the finals (and he does).
• Woah! It’s ODB! She calls herself One Dirty Bitch. She makes the 2nd round but ultimately not chosen.
• Nidia says she was a dancer for 2 months. From her explanation “the only ones to see you dance are those who pay. You go to the booth, do your little thing and get up”. Woah, you mean stripper (or at least, exotic dancer)
• When it comes down to the final 13, Kevin Dunn is seen giving a lot more input. Despite the front of the trainers, he’s the guy you really gotta impress.
• MTV exec says “(Guy/gal off the street) could be a wrestler”. It’s not an exclusive club, you can join a wrestling school! Only took WWE about 7 years after this but they did learn the best talent are already wrestlers, who’ve already shown the dedication by working the indies or overseas, who don’t need MTV to prod them into this career path.
• Everyone seems very high on 6’3″ Paulina. She seems nice and sounds just like Chyna.
• Along with ODB, 2 notable contestants didn’t make the final cut; Tara (not the wrestler, but a charming, tiny girl) and Jackie Gayda, who made TE 2.
• Finalist Tom refused to sign an MTV contract so last-minute was replaced by ex-footballer Greg Whitmoyer.
• They end the show with the finalists unpacking in the Tough Enough house in Stamford.
• Aitch was a noted critic of the show for exposing the business (eg showing how people bump) and he’d put the fear of God into them in episode 3, with an excellent speech about dedication to WWF.
Overall, it’s an easy watch and cool to go back to the height of WWF. MTV’s reality show production is quite 90’s and I’d consider Steve Austin’s 2011 reboot to be superior, but the novelty alone of watching regular people trying to become wrestlers is worth it.
[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column width=”1/1″][vc_gallery type=”flexslider_fade” interval=”10″ images=”2268,2269,2270,2271,2272,2273,2274,2275,2276,2277,2278,2279,2280,2281,2282,2283,2284,2285,2286,2287,2288,2289,2290,2291,2292,2293,2294,2295,2296,2297,2298,2300,2301″ onclick=”link_image” custom_links_target=”_self” img_size=”full”][vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]From over 4,000 audition tapes, WWF invite 230 to try out at their New York restaurant. They judge their physique and conditioning, see how they deal with questions/prodding and their promo ability. This episode is the best and the worst of that. The judges call back 25 finalists, and choose their final 13 to be on the Tough Enough reality show.
Thoughts on the show:
• This casting premiere is a 44-minute (double episode), with 14 episodes total (the next 13 are recorded over 9 weeks), aired June-September 2001.
• At the 230-person tryout are Al Snow, Tazz, Jacquelline, Mick Foley, producer John “Big” Gaburick, Kevin Dunn, and MTV producers. Even if they could get people in and out in 2 minutes that\’d take almost 8 hours. Foley is barely featured and is not a trainer (that\’s Al Snow, Tazz, Jacqueline and Tori, from X-Pac and Tori\’s Christmas Story)
• Hey look – it\’s EVP of TV Production, Kevin Dunn! Or as Jim Cornette calls him, “you fucking Bucky-Beaver motherfucker”
• Al Snow runs down what they\’re looking for: Charisma, determination, dedication, personality, energy and most importantly, physique.
• Despite that last one (which in WWE, IS the most important) some were joke auditions for the cameras (eg really overweight, windy fellas).
• Tazz calls himself 5\’9″, 240 lbs. That\’s just garbage, lol – he\’s like 5\’4″. He says he\’ll fight for guys perceived as too small, and intentionally riles the contestants up to see how they conduct themselves.
• Josh Matthews is the first audition tape seen and is shown waiting in line to register, pretty cool. He\’s also the first chosen as a finalist. He may be the smallest male contestant there.
• There\’s a jakked dude who\’s “just recently fallen in love”. Really staged, his girlfriend says “I love you”, and candidly he tells WWF that “I love having emotions”. AMAZING. That\’s something Always Sunny\’s Dennis would say.
• #56 has crib-notes on her wrist, Rock-style. Amazing.
• Maven – immediately earmarked for success. Al Snow comments he looks like a kid in a pro-wrestling school, Kevin Dunn remarks “he reminded me a lot of Kurt Angle.”
• Daryl. I remember this guy. He forgot to wash his ass during the show. Even though he\’s out of shape, since he\’s 6\’7″ and a hefty dude, he makes the final cut. An MTV exec describes him as “really intelligent, that has a lot to say about what\’s going on the world” which is hilarious bullshit, the best he could think of on the spot. They\’ve high hopes for him.
• Kenneth from Rhode Island is a custodian, whose gimmick is “The Evil Custodian”. He kicks off his promo with “nobody likes the custodian” which breaks the lads instantly.
• Chris Nowinski mentions Harvard and has a quick, very positive pow-wow with the lads, he\’ll make the finals (and he does).
• Woah! It\’s ODB! She calls herself One Dirty Bitch. She makes the 2nd round but ultimately not chosen.
• Nidia says she was a dancer for 2 months. From her explanation “the only ones to see you dance are those who pay. You go to the booth, do your little thing and get up”. Woah, you mean stripper.
• When it comes down to the final 13, Kevin Dunn is seen giving a lot more input. Despite the front of the trainers, he\’s the guy you really gotta impress.
• MTV exec says “(Guy/gal off the street) could be a wrestler”. It\’s not an exclusive club, you can join a wrestling school! Only took WWE about 7 years but they did learn the best talent are already wrestlers, who\’ve already shown the dedication by working the indies or overseas, who don\’t need MTV to prod them into this career path.
• Everyone seems very high on 6\’3″ Paulina. She seems nice and has a sounds just like Chyna.
• Along with ODB, 2 notable contestants didn\’t make the final cut; Tara (not the wrestler, but a charming, tiny girl, who upon seeing the other girls, stuffed her bra with toilet paper) and Jackie Gayda, who made Tough Enough 2.
• Finalist Tom refused to sign an MTV contract so last-minute was replaced by ex-footballer Greg Whitmoyer.
• They end the show with the finalists unpacking in the Tough Enough house in Stamford.
• Aitch was a noted critic of the show for exposing the business (showing how people bump) and he\’d put the fear of God into them in episode 3, with an excellent speech about dedication to WWF.
Overall, it\’s an easy watch and it\’s cool to go back to the height of WWF. MTV\’s reality show production is quite 90s but the novelty alone of watching regular people trying to become wrestlers is worth a watch.
WHAT HAPPENED TO THE SEASON 1 CONTESTANTS?
Josh Lomberger (Josh Matthews) did the best out of everyone, getting a long-time gig in WWE as a backstage reporter & commentator on their C-shows, now the lead announcer for TNA.
Jason Dayberry quit early on due to the rough road schedule. He\’s a pro bodybuilder now.
Bobbie Jo Anderson & Victoria Tabor quit together due to the physicality.
Maven Huffman won Tough Enough S1, and is best known for eliminating the Undertaker at the 2002 Rumble (which was an amazing, shocking spot). He was D-Von\’s best friend in the business and was released by WWE in 2005. He worked on the indies and was seen selling things on the Home Shopping Network. He\’s a NY bouncer now.
Taylor Matheny married Brian Kendrick, works as Make Up Artist in Hollywood.
Chris Nowinski quit wrestling after suffering post-concussion syndrome, and now is the exec director at the Sports Legacy Institute, a concussion research group.
Shadrick McGee was cut due to poor in-ring performance.
Chris Nifong was nicknamed “CK” (Career Killer”) after he injured Tori with a botched hip toss. He\’s now a graphic designer and screen printer.
Paulina Thomas was TNA\’s bodyguard for Disco Inferno for a 2 shows in 2002 and is now a Product & Market Manager in NY.
Nidia Guenard, the female winner of Tough Enough S1, best known for her Smackdown gig as Jamie Noble\’s trashy girlfriend. Now works in culinary arts.
Darryl Cross is now a web graphic designer in Iowa
Greg Whitmoyer didn\’t get a contract and worked for hardcore indie company CZW and a few 3PW dates.[/vc_column_text][vc_gallery type=”flexslider_fade” onclick=”link_image” custom_links_target=”_self”]tricker[/vc_gallery][vc_column_text]WHAT HAPPENED TO THE SEASON 1 CONTESTANTS?
Josh Lomberger (Josh Matthews) did the best out of everyone, getting a long-time gig in WWE as a backstage reporter & commentator on their C-shows, now the lead announcer for TNA.
Jason Dayberry quit early on due to the rough road schedule. He’s a pro bodybuilder now.
Bobbie Jo Anderson & Victoria Tabor quit together due to the physicality.
Maven Huffman won Tough Enough S1, and is best known for eliminating the Undertaker at the 2002 Rumble (which was an amazing, shocking spot). He was D-Von’s best friend in the business and was released by WWE in 2005. He worked on the indies and was seen selling things on the Home Shopping Network. He’s a NY bouncer now.
Taylor Matheny married Brian Kendrick, works as Make Up Artist in Hollywood.
Chris Nowinski quit wrestling after suffering post-concussion syndrome, and now is the exec director at the Sports Legacy Institute, a concussion research group.
Shadrick McGee was cut due to poor in-ring performance.
Chris Nifong was nicknamed “CK” (Career Killer”) after he injured Tori with a botched hip toss. He’s now a graphic designer and screen printer.
Paulina Thomas was TNA’s bodyguard for Disco Inferno for a 2 shows in 2002 and is now a Product & Market Manager in NY.
Nidia Guenard, the female winner of Tough Enough S1, best known for her Smackdown gig as Jamie Noble’s trashy girlfriend. Now works in culinary arts.
Darryl Cross is now a web graphic designer in Iowa
Greg Whitmoyer didn’t get a contract and worked for hardcore indie company CZW and a few 3PW dates.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
