''WWE Tough Enough'' is an American
professional wrestling
Professional wrestling, often shortened to either pro wrestling or wrestling,The term "wrestling" is most often widely used to specifically refer to modern scripted professional wrestling, though it is also used to refer to Real life, real- ...
reality competition series that was produced by
WWE, wherein participants undergo
professional wrestling training and compete for a contract with WWE. There were two winners per season for the first three seasons, all of which aired on
MTV
MTV (an initialism of Music Television) is an American cable television television channel, channel and the flagship property of the MTV Entertainment Group sub-division of the Paramount Media Networks division of Paramount Global. Launched on ...
. A fourth competition was held in 2004, with only a single winner, who was integrated into (at the time)
UPN's ''
SmackDown!''. As revealed in October 2010, the
USA Network
USA Network (or simply USA) is an American basic cable television channel owned by the NBCUniversal Media Group division of Comcast's NBCUniversal. It was launched in 1977 as Madison Square Garden Sports Network, one of the first national sports ...
, revived ''Tough Enough'' to air it immediately prior to ''
Raw'',
[USA to Expand Into Reality Programming and Bring Back "WWE Tough Enough"](_blank)
''Deadline Hollywood'', October 18, 2010 starting on April 4, 2011, a day after
WrestleMania XXVII.
The first three seasons were co-produced with MTV, while the revival is a co-production with
Shed Media.
Reruns of the 2011 season were broadcast on
Universal HD,
Oxygen
Oxygen is a chemical element; it has chemical symbol, symbol O and atomic number 8. It is a member of the chalcogen group (periodic table), group in the periodic table, a highly reactivity (chemistry), reactive nonmetal (chemistry), non ...
and
G4.
Past episodes of ''Tough Enough'' are available for streaming on the
WWE Network
WWE Network is a subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming service and digital television network owned by the American professional wrestling promotion WWE, a division of TKO Group Holdings.
The service relied on technology develo ...
.
Development and original series
The idea of the show originally came from a deal the then-WWF made with MTV in spring of 2000. One part of a deal was to create a reality series where contestants compete to win a WWE contract, the winner being one male and one female.
''Tough Enough''
Maven Huffman and
Nidia Guenard won the first season of ''Tough Enough''. Only two contestants were actually cut from the competition; the others eliminated voluntarily exited. Of the final five contestants, four would eventually join the
WWE. Nidia was released from WWE on November 3, 2004, while Maven was released on July 5, 2005.
The first season of ''Tough Enough'' was released on DVD in 2002, along with its soundtrack.
This season became available for viewing on the
WWE Network
WWE Network is a subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming service and digital television network owned by the American professional wrestling promotion WWE, a division of TKO Group Holdings.
The service relied on technology develo ...
on January 12, 2015.
Trainers
*
Al Snow
*
Jacqueline
*
Tazz
*
Tori
Contestants
* Bobbie Jo Anderson
* Chris Nifong
*
Christopher Nowinski (runner-up)
* Darryl Cross
* Greg Whitmoyer
* Jason Dayberry
* Josh Lomberger (runner-up; eventually signed to WWE as a broadcaster under the name
Josh Mathews)
*
Maven Huffman (winner)
*
Nidia Guenard (winner)
* Paulina Thomas
* Shadrick McGee
*
Taylor Matheny
Taylor Ann Kendrick (name at birth, née Matheny; born May 23, 1979) is an American retired professional wrestler who competed in North American independent promotions including Ohio Valley Wrestling, a developmental territory of World Wrestling ...
(runner-up)
* Victoria Tabor
Order of elimination:
*Episode 1 Tom, after being selected to the final 13, refused to sign the MTV contract and was replaced by Greg.
*Episode 3 Jason quit because he could not handle the road life.
*Episode 4 Bobbie Jo and Victoria quit together because they could not handle the physicality.
*Episode 5 Darryl was cut for not being able to keep up with the rest and overall poor attitude.
*Episode 6 Shadrick was cut due to ring struggles.
*Episode 7 Paulina dropped out due to severe leg and knee injuries sustained in the second episode.
*Episode 9 Greg was forced to quit due to three herniated discs.
*Episode 10 Chris Nifong quit after feeling it was not his time.
*Episode 13 Taylor, Chris Nowinski, and Josh were runners up after Nidia and Maven were declared winners.
Episodes
Aftermath
Maven Huffman would go on to become a three time
WWF Hardcore Champion. He was released by WWE in July 2005 and would later work for
Impact Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (abbreviated as TNA Wrestling or TNA) is an American professional wrestling promotion based in Nashville, Tennessee. It is a subsidiary of Anthem Sports & Entertainment, a Canadian media company owned by busine ...
. He also appeared on the sixth season of
The Surreal Life.
Nidia Guenard would go on to manage
Jamie Noble and compete in the women's division. She was released by WWE in November 2004 and retired shortly afterwards.
Christopher Nowinski would eventually make the main roster, where he was a two time WWE Hardcore Champion. He would retire from wrestling in 2003, becoming an advocate for concussion awareness. Josh Lomberger would be hired as a commentator and backstage interviewer under the name "
Josh Mathews". He was released in 2014 and go on to work for
Impact Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (abbreviated as TNA Wrestling or TNA) is an American professional wrestling promotion based in Nashville, Tennessee. It is a subsidiary of Anthem Sports & Entertainment, a Canadian media company owned by busine ...
as a commentator and senior producer, where he is also a one time
Impact Grand Champion. Greg Whitmoyer would become a wrestler as Greg Matthews working for
Combat Zone Wrestling and
independent circuit
In professional wrestling, the independent circuit (often shortened to the indie circuit or the indies) is the collective name of independently owned promotions which are deemed to be smaller and more regionalized than major national promotions. ...
until retiring in 2010.
''Tough Enough 2''
The second season winners were
Linda Miles and
Jackie Gayda. The result offended members of the male finalists, who claimed that when they signed forms to compete on ''Tough Enough'', the forms spoke of one male winner and one female winner. Eventually, Linda and Jackie were released on November 12, 2004 and July 5, 2005, respectively. Gayda later married wrestler
Charlie Haas, but would later divorce in 2020.
Shad Gaspard, who would later become a member of the WWE tag team
Cryme Tyme, was chosen to be one of the final 13 contestants on the show but, according to the show, failed a physical; he was subsequently replaced by Danny. Eventual season 3 winner John Hennigan (who went on to compete for the WWE as
John Morrison) auditioned and survived the first cut down to 25 contestants, but, despite displaying well-tuned athletic ability, Hennigan's arrogance irritated the judges. It would be another year before Hennigan would make the show. There were several other well known faces in the crowd who didn't make the cut, but, eventually made a name for themselves in the business, including
Shelly Martinez (known as Ariel in the WWE and as Salinas in TNA), Kia Stevens (known as
Awesome Kong in TNA and as Kharma in WWE), former fitness model
Kim Nielsen (who was known by her real name in WWE and as Desire in TNA, and who competed on season 13 of ''
The Biggest Loser
''The Biggest Loser'' is a reality television format which started with the American TV show ''The Biggest Loser (American TV series), The Biggest Loser'' in 2004. The show centers on overweight and Obesity, obese contestants attempting to lose ...
''),
Jaxson Ryker and
Ken Anderson (known as Mr. Kennedy in WWE) (both of whom later returned to WWE).
Trainers
*
Al Snow
*
Hardcore Holly
Robert William Howard (born January 29, 1963) is an American Professional wrestling, professional wrestler. He is best known for his tenure in WWE, where he performed under the ring name Hardcore Holly.
After debuting in 1987, Holly worked for ...
*
Ivory
Ivory is a hard, white material from the tusks (traditionally from elephants) and Tooth, teeth of animals, that consists mainly of dentine, one of the physical structures of teeth and tusks. The chemical structure of the teeth and tusks of mamm ...
*
Tazz
*
Chavo Guerrero Jr.
Contestants
* Aaron Lewis
* Alicia Martin
* Anni King
* Danny Carney
* Hawk Younkins
*
Jackie Gayda (winner; competed as Miss Jackie and was manager/valet for the tag team of
Charlie Haas and
Rico
The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act is a United States federal law that provides for extended criminal penalties and a civil cause of action for acts performed as part of an ongoing criminal organization.
RICO was ...
)
* Jake Sokoloff (runner-up)
*
Jessie Ward
*
Kenny Layne (runner-up)
*
Linda Miles (winner; competed as Shaniqua, the dominatrix/valet of
The Basham Brothers)
*
Matt Morgan
* Pete Tornatore
* Robert Savhalet
Order of Elimination:
* Episode 3: Aaron was cut because he could not physically catch up with the rest of the group's speed. That caused him to pass out on the beach while exercising.
* Episode 3: Robert was cut because he was struggling with all the physicality in and out of the ring; thus, he tired out more easily than others.
* Episode 5: Danny was cut because he lacked charisma while trying to perform an interview for the trainers.
* Episode 6: Matt left because he tore a ligament in his right knee, and his doctor told him it would not be safe to continue wrestling in the ring.
* Episode 7: Alicia was cut because she had an injury which it hindered her from continuing to wrestle in the ring.
* Episode 7: Jessie left because she was diagnosed with a heart condition. Jessie later credited the show for essentially saving her life, as the heart condition would have gone unnoticed had she not gone for testing
* Episode 11: Hawk left because he became concerned about his performance in the ring.
* Episode 12: Pete was cut because he couldn't keep up in the ring as well as the others.
* Episode 12: Anni was cut because of her hesitation in the ring.
* Episode 13: Linda and Jackie were declared the winners of ''Tough Enough 2'', with Jake and Kenny being joint runners-up.
Aftermath
Both winners Jackie Gayda and Linda Miles would go on to work on the main roster as managers. Gayda would manage future husband
Charlie Haas and
Rico
The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act is a United States federal law that provides for extended criminal penalties and a civil cause of action for acts performed as part of an ongoing criminal organization.
RICO was ...
under her real name, while Miles would manage the
Basham Brothers as their dominatrix Shaniqua.
Jessie Ward would work as a stage manager for WWE between 2002 and 2004. In September 2013, she married future
NXT Superstar
Tommaso Ciampa
Tommaso Whitney (born May 8, 1985) is an American Professional wrestling, professional wrestler. He is signed to WWE, where he performs on the SmackDown (WWE brand), SmackDown WWE brand extension, brand under the ring name Tommaso Ciampa () and ...
.
Kenny Layne would later find success wrestling for
Impact Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (abbreviated as TNA Wrestling or TNA) is an American professional wrestling promotion based in Nashville, Tennessee. It is a subsidiary of Anthem Sports & Entertainment, a Canadian media company owned by busine ...
and
Ring of Honor
Ring of Honor (ROH) is an American professional wrestling promotion based in Jacksonville, Florida. The promotion was founded by Rob Feinstein on February 23, 2002, and was operated by Cary Silkin from 2004 until 2011; the promotion was subs ...
under the ring name "Kenny King".
Matt Morgan would work on the main roster in October 2003 until January 2004. He would return to OVW. In April 2005, Morgan returned to the main roster teaming with
Carlito. He was released by WWE in July 2005. Later appear in the 2008 revival of
American Gladiators as the gladiator "Beast". Morgan found success in
Impact Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (abbreviated as TNA Wrestling or TNA) is an American professional wrestling promotion based in Nashville, Tennessee. It is a subsidiary of Anthem Sports & Entertainment, a Canadian media company owned by busine ...
, where he is a two time
TNA World Tag Team Champion. Hawk Younkins would compete in one MMA match on September 18, 2004.
''Tough Enough III''
The third season was won by
John Hennigan and
Matt Cappotelli.
Melina Perez tried out for ''Tough Enough III'' and made it to the final 25, but was cut from the competition. During the tryouts she met John Hennigan, and they began a romantic relationship. Perez eventually received a WWE contract and worked as Melina on the
Smackdown (WWE brand) and
Raw (WWE brand)
WWE Raw, Raw is a WWE brand extension, brand of the American professional wrestling promotion WWE that was established on March 25, 2002. Brands are divisions of WWE's roster where wrestlers are assigned to perform on a weekly basis when a brand e ...
shows. She went on to become the first ''Tough Enough'' contestant to win the
WWE Women's Championship and the WWE Divas Championship, which she held respectively three and two times, making her the most successful female ''Tough Enough'' contestant to enter WWE. Perez was eventually released from WWE on August 5, 2011. Both
Shawn Daivari and
Daniel Puder are seen on film during audition episode. Both made it to the final 75, but were cut before they could make it to the training facility. Daivari was later hired by WWE to team with
Muhammad Hassan, while Puder was able to join and eventually win the fourth season of ''Tough Enough''.
Hardcore Holly
Robert William Howard (born January 29, 1963) is an American Professional wrestling, professional wrestler. He is best known for his tenure in WWE, where he performed under the ring name Hardcore Holly.
After debuting in 1987, Holly worked for ...
made a controversial guest appearance on one episode of the show, where he stiffed Cappotelli during a training match, leaving him brutalized, bleeding, crying and requesting to leave the program; the incident was discussed on February 8, 2003 episode of ''
WWE Confidential''.
Trainers
*
Al Snow
*
Bill DeMott
*
Ivory
Ivory is a hard, white material from the tusks (traditionally from elephants) and Tooth, teeth of animals, that consists mainly of dentine, one of the physical structures of teeth and tusks. The chemical structure of the teeth and tusks of mamm ...
Contestants
* Chad
* Eric Markovcy (runner-up)
* Jamie Burk (runner-up)
* Jill
*
John Hennigan (winner, eventually wrestled as Johnny Nitro and John Morrison)
* Jonah Adelman (runner-up)
* Justin
* Kelly
* Lisa
*
Matt Cappotelli (winner)
* Nick
* Rebekah
* Scott Chong
Order of Elimination:
* Episode 2: Jill quit after the very first day of training. The trainers were all annoyed and labeled her as a "quitter" because she never put forth her best effort.
* Episode 3: Lisa left because she decided wrestling wasn't the right career for her (see below).
* Episode 4: Chad was cut because of his lack of ability to keep up the pace with the rest of the group.
* Episode 5: Rebekah left because she had a family emergency back at home and could not continue in the competition.
* Episode 6: Nick was cut because he had a bicep injury, and he lacked the ability to perform certain tasks in the ring.
* Episode 7: Scott was cut because of his lack of ability to keep up with the rest of the group.
* Episode 8: Kelly was cut because she had a serious back injury, and she was beginning to fall behind everybody else when learning new moves.
* Episode 11: Justin was cut because he lacked aggression in the ring as well as a competitive spirit.
* Episode 14: Matt and John were declared the winners of ''Tough Enough III'', with Jamie, Eric and Jonah being the runners up.
Aftermath
Hennigan, who wrestled for WWE under the names Johnny Nitro and John Morrison, would go on win various championships, including the
ECW World Championship, three
Intercontinental Championships, and the
WWE,
SmackDown, and
World Tag Team Championship
In professional wrestling, a championship or title is a recognition promoted by professional wrestling organizations. Championship reigns are determined by professional wrestling matches, in which competitors are involved in predetermined rival ...
s once each. Hennigan left WWE in November 2011 and also found success outside of WWE in other promotions such as
Impact Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (abbreviated as TNA Wrestling or TNA) is an American professional wrestling promotion based in Nashville, Tennessee. It is a subsidiary of Anthem Sports & Entertainment, a Canadian media company owned by busine ...
,
Lucha Underground
Lucha Underground was an American professional wrestling promotion founded in 2014 by United Artists, United Artists Media Group. ''Lucha Underground'' also refers to its weekly television program, which featured List of former Lucha Underground p ...
and
Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide
Promociones Antonio Peña, S.A. de C.V. doing business as, d/b/a Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide (commonly referred to as simply AAA, pronounced "Triple A" – an abbreviation of its original name Asistencia, Asesoría y Administración de Espectáculos ...
between 2012 and 2019.
Cappotelli was developing his talent further in WWE development territory
Ohio Valley Wrestling
Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) is an American professional wrestling promotion, professional wrestling promotion and former developmental territory based in Louisville, Kentucky. The company is currently run by Al Snow, Matt Jones (radio host), Ma ...
(OVW), but was diagnosed with a
brain tumor
A brain tumor (sometimes referred to as brain cancer) occurs when a group of cells within the Human brain, brain turn cancerous and grow out of control, creating a mass. There are two main types of tumors: malignant (cancerous) tumors and benign ...
in December 2005, forcing him to step away from wrestling and relinquish his
OVW Heavyweight Championship. The tumor was removed in 2007, and it was unknown whether Cappotelli would ever return to professional wrestling. In July 2017, Cappotelli announced that he was diagnosed with grade IV
glioblastoma multiforme. He died on June 29, 2018, at the age of 38.
Lisa incident
In the cover story from the October 5, 2002 issue of the ''
Pro Wrestling Torch Newsletter'', it was revealed that contestant "Lisa" was removed from the show after what was referred to as a "psychotic breakdown." After being left at the house while the other contestants went out to dinner, she began throwing herself against the walls of the house, eventually breaking into the hidden MTV control room and working her way onto the roof. After being talked down by producers, she was committed to a hospital facility to receive psychiatric treatment. Her parents flew in from
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state in the Southwestern United States, Southwestern region of the United States. It is one of the Mountain States of the southern Rocky Mountains, sharing the Four Corners region with Utah, Colorado, and Arizona. It also ...
to pick her up, but she physically attacked them, claiming she did not know them. She then escaped custody inside
LAX, shutting down a wing of the airport until she was located. Again, she was hospitalized, but she was able to check herself out shortly after. She then contacted ''Tough Enough'' producers, claiming she was ready to return to the show. Producers informed her she had been removed from the competition due to her actions. The other contestants (and, subsequently, the audience) were initially told that Lisa simply decided wrestling "wasn't the right career for her." Lisa then reemerged in
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the List of cities in Kentucky, most populous city in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, sixth-most populous city in the Southeastern United States, Southeast, and the list of United States cities by population, 27th-most-populous city ...
, at the
Ohio Valley Wrestling
Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) is an American professional wrestling promotion, professional wrestling promotion and former developmental territory based in Louisville, Kentucky. The company is currently run by Al Snow, Matt Jones (radio host), Ma ...
training center, claiming that trainer
Al Snow and producer John "Big" Gaburick had sent her for additional training, both in the ring and to learn further about the structure of the developmental territory system. At a series of shows in
California
California () is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States that lies on the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. It borders Oregon to the north, Nevada and Arizona to the east, and shares Mexico–United States border, an ...
in September 2002, she managed to talk her way backstage and was even allowed to assist with the
pyrotechnics
Pyrotechnics is the science and craft of creating fireworks, but also includes safety matches, oxygen candles, Pyrotechnic fastener, explosive bolts (and other fasteners), parts of automotive airbags, as well as gas-pressure blasting in mining, q ...
for the wrestlers' entrances at a TV taping. One source claimed that she had a face-to-face conversation with
Vince McMahon
Vincent Kennedy McMahon ( ; born August 24, 1945) is an American businessman and former professional wrestling promoter. McMahon, along with his later-estranged wife Linda McMahon, Linda, is a co-founder of the modern WWE, the world's largest ...
, who was apparently unaware of her status with the ''Tough Enough'' program. Soon after, her photograph was circulated to security personnel, and she was barred from any backstage areas.
''$1,000,000 Tough Enough'' (season 4)
The fourth ''Tough Enough'' competition was conducted as part of WWE's ''SmackDown!'' brand between October and December 2004 in response to ''Raw'' holding the first annual ''
Raw'' Diva Search'' contest. The prize was a $1 million
professional wrestling
Professional wrestling, often shortened to either pro wrestling or wrestling,The term "wrestling" is most often widely used to specifically refer to modern scripted professional wrestling, though it is also used to refer to Real life, real- ...
contract split evenly over four years with only the first year guaranteed. The winner of the fourth series, announced on December 14, 2004, and televised on December 16, 2004, was
Daniel Puder, an American professional
mixed martial artist
Mixed martial arts (MMA) is a full-contact fighting sport based on striking and grappling; incorporating techniques from various combat sports from around the world.
In the early 20th century, various inter-stylistic contests took place t ...
. Puder competed in his second WWE pay-per-view event on January 30, 2005 as the third entrant in the
2005 Royal Rumble match. Soon after, he was sent to OVW before eventually being released in September 2005.
Contestants
* Chris Nawrocki
*
Daniel Puder (winner)
*
Daniel Rodimer
* John Meyer Jr.
*
Justice Smith
* Mike Mizanin (runner-up, eventually signed by WWE in 2006, and wrestles as
The Miz)
*
Nick Mitchell (signed by WWE as Mitch)
* Ryan Reeves (signed by WWE as Skip Sheffield, later as
Ryback)
Daniel Puder shoot incident
On November 4, 2004, episode of ''SmackDown!'', taped in
St. Louis,
Missouri
Missouri (''see #Etymology and pronunciation, pronunciation'') is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. Ranking List of U.S. states and territories by area, 21st in land area, it border ...
, during an
unscripted segment of ''Tough Enough'',
Kurt Angle
Kurt Steven Angle (born December 9, 1968) is an American retired professional wrestler and amateur wrestling, amateur wrestler. He first earned recognition for winning a Wrestling at the 1996 Summer Olympics – Men's freestyle 100 kg, gold me ...
, a former American
amateur wrestler and
1996 Olympic gold medalist, challenged the finalists through a
squat thrust competition.
Chris Nawrocki won the competition, and the prize Nawrocki won was a match against Angle.
Angle quickly took Nawrocki down, breaking his ribs, then made him
tap out with a
''neck crank''.
[ After Angle defeated Nawrocki, Angle challenged the other finalists.][ Puder accepted Angle's challenge.][ Angle and Puder wrestled for position, with Angle taking Puder down; however, in the process, Puder locked Angle in a '' kimura lock''.] With Puder on his back and Angle's arm locked in the ''kimura'', Angle attempted a pin, one of two referees in the ring, Jim Korderas, quickly counted three to end the bout, despite the fact that Puder's shoulders weren't fully down on the mat, bridging up at two.[ Puder later claimed he would have snapped Angle's arm, thus making Angle tap out on national television, if Korderas had not ended the match.][ ]Dave Meltzer
David Allen Meltzer (born October 24, 1959) is an American journalist, author, and historian who reports on professional wrestling and mixed martial arts. Since 1983, he has been the publisher and editor of the ''Wrestling Observer Newsletter' ...
and Dave Scherer gave these following comments:
Aftermath
Mike Mizanin signed a developmental contract with WWE and made his main roster debut in 2006 as The Miz and became the first and the only ''Tough Enough'' contestant to win the WWE Championship and to headline WrestleMania. Additionally, he has held multiple midcard and tag team championships in WWE, and is one of only two wrestlers in WWE history to complete the Grand Slam twice.
Ryan Reeves signed a developmental contract with WWE. He continued working for Ohio Valley Wrestling
Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) is an American professional wrestling promotion, professional wrestling promotion and former developmental territory based in Louisville, Kentucky. The company is currently run by Al Snow, Matt Jones (radio host), Ma ...
until early 2007 when he was released by WWE. He later resigned a contact with WWE in late 2008 working for Florida Championship Wrestling
Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW) was a professional wrestling professional wrestling promotion, promotion based on the former National Wrestling Alliance member promotion, Championship Wrestling from Florida, which operated from 1961 until ...
. He then participated in the first season of '' NXT'' in early 2010 under the ring name Skip Sheffield, and became one of the original members of the faction The Nexus. He resurfaced on the main roster in early 2012 under the ring name Ryback, and headlined five pay-per-view events, three of those for the WWE Championship. He is also a former WWE Intercontinental Champion. He would remain with WWE until August 2016.
Daniel Rodimer signed a developmental contract with WWE, and later wrestled on ''Heat
In thermodynamics, heat is energy in transfer between a thermodynamic system and its surroundings by such mechanisms as thermal conduction, electromagnetic radiation, and friction, which are microscopic in nature, involving sub-atomic, ato ...
'' as Dan Rodman in 2007. He retired from wrestling in late 2007.
Nick Mitchell signed a developmental contract with WWE. He made his debut on the main roster in January 2006 as Mitch, a member of the male cheerleader group The Spirit Squad. As a member of the Spirit Squad, he is a former World Tag Team Champion, which he won under the Freebird Rule. He was released by WWE in May 2007 and retired completely from wrestling.
Justice Smith would later appear in the 2008 revival of American Gladiators, using his first name as his gladiator name.
Marty Wright, who lied about his age during the auditions and was disqualified, later signed with WWE and competed as The Boogeyman.
During the tryouts, Brian Danovich suffered a torn pectoral muscle during the bench press but then went on to complete the assault course in its entirely while carrying the injury. After withdrawing from the event, then Head of Talent Relations John Laurinaitis
John Hodger Laurinaitis (born July 31, 1962), also known by his former ring name Johnny Ace, is an American retired Professional wrestling, professional wrestler and business executive.
He has wrestled for such promotions as World Championship ...
offered him a developmental contract on the spot though he was eventually released after numerous injuries without appearing on the main roster. He would resurface in June 2018 with a wrestling internet radio show called ''Wrestling With Passion'' on Action VR Network on Mixlr, which lasted only five episodes before his untimely death on August 9, 2018, at the age of 38 by committing suicide.
Andrew Hankinson tried out for this season but failed to make it to the finals. However, he was signed to a WWE developmental contract and later competed in WWE as Festus and Luke Gallows until his WWE release in November 2010. He would go on to compete for Impact Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (abbreviated as TNA Wrestling or TNA) is an American professional wrestling promotion based in Nashville, Tennessee. It is a subsidiary of Anthem Sports & Entertainment, a Canadian media company owned by busine ...
as a member of the Aces & Eights and New Japan Pro-Wrestling
(NJPW) is a Puroresu, Japanese professional-wrestling Professional wrestling promotion, promotion founded on January 13, 1972, by Antonio Inoki, and based in Nakano, Tokyo. It is currently majority owned by card-game company Bushiroad, with TV As ...
teaming with Karl Anderson
Chad Allegra (born January 20, 1980) known by the ring name Karl Anderson , is an American Professional wrestling, professional wrestler. He is primarily performing for New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). He is also known for his time in WWE.
Ander ...
as members of the Bullet Club
, stylized as BULLET CLUB and sometimes shortened to BC, is a professional wrestling Glossary of professional wrestling terms#stable, stable primarily appearing in the Japanese Professional wrestling promotion, promotion New Japan Pro-Wrestling ...
. In 2016, Gallows returned to WWE with Anderson as tag team champions. They were both released in April 2020, then rehired in October 2022, before being again released in January 2025.
A DVD of this season was released in 2005.
Revival
Season 5
On October 18, 2010, the television website Deadline Hollywood
''Deadline Hollywood'', commonly known as ''Deadline'' and also referred to as ''Deadline.com'', is an online news site founded as the news blog ''Deadline Hollywood Daily'' by Nikki Finke in 2006. It is updated several times a day, with en ...
reported that USA Network
USA Network (or simply USA) is an American basic cable television channel owned by the NBCUniversal Media Group division of Comcast's NBCUniversal. It was launched in 1977 as Madison Square Garden Sports Network, one of the first national sports ...
was considering expanding into reality programming with a revival of ''Tough Enough''. The website also reported that the show was expected to "run in tandem with USA's ''WWE Raw'' series." On January 3, 2011, both ''The New York Times
''The New York Times'' (''NYT'') is an American daily newspaper based in New York City. ''The New York Times'' covers domestic, national, and international news, and publishes opinion pieces, investigative reports, and reviews. As one of ...
'' and WWE further confirmed the revival, revealing that the revived series would begin airing Monday nights beginning on April 4, 2011, following ''WWE Raw'', and a day after WrestleMania XXVII. The following week, ''Tough Enough'' aired during its planned time slot before ''WWE Raw''. The revived series is a co-production with Shed Media.
Steve Austin, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin served as the show's season 5 host while Booker T (wrestler), Booker T, Trish Stratus, and Bill DeMott served as trainers. According to USA Network's episode guide, the 2011 season is referred to as "Season 1", therefore making no reference to its prior runs on other networks. In addition, although the premise of this show is similar to that of ''WWE NXT (TV series), WWE NXT'', ''Tough Enough'' season 5 ran concurrently with ''NXT'' and did not replace it.
Similar to the reality series ''Hell's Kitchen (American TV series), Hell's Kitchen'', several episodes concluded with a voiceover of Austin's thoughts on the eliminated contestant as he goes to his office and hangs their belt on the wall.
Host
* Stone Cold Steve Austin
Trainers
* Bill DeMott
* Trish Stratus
* Booker T (wrestler), Booker T
Guests
* John Cena (episode 2)
* Big Show (episode 3)
* Stacy Keibler (episode 3)
* Bret Hart (episode 4)
* Rey Mysterio (episode 5)
* John Salley (episode 5)
* John Morrison (episode 6)
* The Bella Twins (episode 7)
* Kelly Kelly (episode 7)
* Eve Torres (episode 7)
* Dwayne Johnson, The Rock (episode 8)
* James Roday (episode 8)
* The Miz (episode 9)
* Ricky Steamboat (episode 10)
Contestants
: The contestant won the Tough Enough competition
: The contestant performed best in the skills challenge.
: The contestant was safe from elimination.
: The contestant was at risk of elimination.
: The contestant was selected to go into the finale.
: The contestant was eliminated.
: The contestant left the competition.
: The contestant was forced by injury to withdraw from the competition.
: The contestant won the skills challenge but was eliminated.
: The contestant was the runner up.
:Episode 1: Ariane was eliminated as Steve Austin and the trainers felt she did not have passion for wrestling. She later signed to WWE and competed as Cameron.
:Episode 2: Matt was eliminated for not breaking free of the pack even though he has 9 years of experience.
:Episode 3: Michelle quit so she could be with her daughter. Mickael was eliminated when Ryan performed a better promo.
:Episode 4: Rima was eliminated after showing no improvement during the past month.
:Episode 5: Ryan was eliminated because of his performance and for being in the bottom 3 three times in a row.
:Episode 6: Ivelisse was eliminated due to an injury. Eric was eliminated for not improving.
:Episode 7: Martin was forced out as he fractured his ankle and was not allowed to continue.
:Episode 8: A.J. was eliminated because of his performance prior to charisma week, even after winning the skills challenge. Christina was eliminated for not showing any charisma.
:Episode 9: Jeremiah was eliminated when his inexperience caught up to him.
:Episode 10: Andy was chosen as the winner of Tough Enough with Luke being the runner-up.
Episodes
Aftermath
Cameron (wrestler), Ariane Andrew, Christina Crawford (wrestler), Christina Crawford, and Ivelisse Vélez received developmental contracts after the show was over along with winner Andy Leavine. Despite being the first person cut from the competition, Ariane Andrew ultimately wound up being the sole contestant to be called up to the main roster. She has appeared on WWE programming as Cameron, one half of The Funkadactyls, as well as ''Total Divas'' as herself. Leavine was released in 2012 after a lackluster run in developmental. He would later find success while wrestling in World Wrestling Council, where he is a one time WWC Universal Heavyweight Championship, WWC Universal Heavyweight Champion and one time WWC World Tag Team Championship, WWC World Tag Team Champion. He would retire from wrestling in 2014. Vélez only stayed in the developmental territory FCW and left WWE in August 2012 after frustrations with the company.
Matt Cross (wrestler), Matt Capiccioni, Ivelisse Vélez, and Martin Casaus would later wrestle for Lucha Underground
Lucha Underground was an American professional wrestling promotion founded in 2014 by United Artists, United Artists Media Group. ''Lucha Underground'' also refers to its weekly television program, which featured List of former Lucha Underground p ...
as Son of Havoc, Ivelisse, and Marty "The Moth" Martinez, respectively. Capiccioni and Velez both won the Lucha Underground Trios Championship on multiple occasions, whereas Casaus won both Lucha Underground Championship and Lucha Underground Gift of the Gods Championship.
Jeremiah Riggs would return to Bellator MMA in 2012, going on to lose three fights in the promotion before completely retiring from MMA. He would later compete on a 2015 episode of Steve Austin's Broken Skull Challenge.
Season 6
On January 15, 2015, season 6 of ''Tough Enough'' was announced at the Critics Association Winter Press. Bryan Danielson, Daniel Bryan, Hulk Hogan, and Saraya Bevis, Paige served as judges, while Billy Gunn, Booker T (wrestler), Booker T, and Lita (wrestler), Lita served as trainers/coaches. The show aired live from the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida - home base of WWE's NXT (WWE brand), NXT developmental territory. The winners, Josh Bredl, Josh and Sara Lee (wrestler), Sara, each received a $250,000 contract with WWE. On October 28, it was confirmed that Mandy Rose, Amanda, ZZ, Mada, The Velveteen Dream, Patrick, and Sonya DeVille, Daria signed to a WWE contract. Amanda also appeared on the fifth season of WWE's reality television show ''Total Divas''. A year later, Chelsea Green, Chelsea and Raquel (wrestler), Gabi signed with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling. Chelsea would later go onto sign a contract with WWE in 2018.
Hosts
* Chris Jericho (Host)
* Renee Young (Co-host)
* Byron Saxton (Tough Talk host, episodes 6-10)
* The Miz (Tough Talk host, episodes 1-5)
Judges
* Bryan Danielson, Daniel Bryan
* Saraya Bevis, Paige
* The Miz (Episodes 6-10)
* Hulk Hogan (Episodes 1-5)
Coaches
* Billy Gunn
* Booker T (wrestler), Booker T
* Lita (wrestler), Lita
Guests
*Roman Reigns (Episode 2)
*Bull Dempsey (Episode 2)
*Seth Rollins (Episode 3)
*Wade Barrett, King Barrett (Episode 4)
*Natalya Neidhart, Natalya (Episode 5)
*Big Show (Episode 5)
*Cesaro (wrestler), Cesaro (Episode 6 & 10)
*Team B.A.D. (Naomi (wrestler), Naomi, Sasha Banks, and Tamina Snuka, Tamina) (Episode 6)
*The Prime Time Players (Darren Young and Titus O'Neil) (Episode 7)
*John Cena (Episode 8)
*Jason Jordan and Dana Brooke (Episode 9)
*Alicia Fox (Episode 10)
*Triple H (Episode 10)
Contestants
* ''Amanda Saccomanno'' and ''Sara Lee'' were immune from elimination in episode 9 to ensure two female competitors advanced to the finale.
: The contestant was one of the winners of the Tough Enough competition.
: The contestant performed best in a skills challenge.
: The contestant was safe from elimination.
: The contestant was at risk of elimination.
: The contestant was saved from elimination by a judge.
: The contestant performed best in a skills challenge, but was at risk of elimination.
: The contestant was selected to go into the finale.
: The contestant was eliminated.
: The contestant left the competition.
: The contestant was not in the competition during this time.
: The contestant was one of the runners-up.
Episodes
Aftermath
Along with the two winners, the following finalists received developmental contracts right after the show ended: Mandy Rose, Amanda Saccomanno (later known as Mandy Rose), ZZ Loupe, Mada Abdelhamid, Velveteen Dream, Patrick Clark, and Sonya Deville, Daria Berenato. Chelsea Green would eventually be signed in 2018 after a successful run in Impact Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (abbreviated as TNA Wrestling or TNA) is an American professional wrestling promotion based in Nashville, Tennessee. It is a subsidiary of Anthem Sports & Entertainment, a Canadian media company owned by busine ...
under the ring name "Laurel Van Ness".
Saccomanno, Berenato, and Green would eventually get called up to the main roster. Saccomanno wrestled under the ring name "Mandy Rose" and Berenato under the ring name "Sonya Deville". Green elected to wrestle under her real name. Clark would go on to win the NXT North American Championship under the ring name "Velveteen Dream". Sara Lee (wrestler), Sara Lee and ZZ Loupe were released in 2016. Josh Bredl was released in 2017 along with Mada Abdelhamid, who had requested for his own release. In April 2021, Chelsea Green was released from her WWE contract, with Patrick Clark being released the following month. Green returned to WWE at the 2023 Royal Rumble and, on July 17, 2023, Chelsea Green and Sonya Deville became the first pair of former Tough Enough contestants to win the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship. Green and Scottish wrestler Piper Niven would later lose the belts, as Niven replaced Deville after the latter suffered an injury. Deville's WWE contract ended in 2025. Green became the inaugural WWE Women's United States Championship, Women's United States champion in December 2024.
Raquel (wrestler), Gabi Castrovinci would go on to wrestle for Impact Wrestling
Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (abbreviated as TNA Wrestling or TNA) is an American professional wrestling promotion based in Nashville, Tennessee. It is a subsidiary of Anthem Sports & Entertainment, a Canadian media company owned by busine ...
from 2016 to 2017 under the ring name "Raquel". She has also go on to be a one time Shine Tag Team Championship, Shine Tag Team Champion.
Sara Lee worked with WWE NXT (WWE brand), NXT brand for a year. Afterwards she retired from wrestling and married Wesley Blake in 2017. They had 3 children. Lee died from alcohol poisoning on October 6, 2022.
Winners
See also
*''WWE Diva Search''
*''WWE LFG''
*''TNA Gut Check''
References
External links
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Wwe Tough Enough
2000s American reality television series
2001 American television series debuts
2004 American television series endings
2010s American reality television series
2011 American television series debuts
2011 American television series endings
2015 American television series debuts
2015 American television series endings
MTV original programming
Television series by WWE, Tough Enough
USA Network original programming
WWE SmackDown, Tough Enough
Women in WWE