We recently had the awesome opportunity to visit the set of USA Network’s reboot of WWE Tough Enough. Located in the deserts of Simi Valley, California, an old sprawling ranch complex doubles as the location where the show’s contestants will live and vie for the ultimate prize: a contract with the WWE.
After our arrival, we were taken on a tour of “Stone Cold” Steve Austin’s office. It had the feel of a neo-Western: rugged and manly but there was no mistaking that we were in 2011. There were two old Fort Knox safes strategically placed in the room. A painting of cowboys playing poker and holding guns hung behind a massive wooden desk. Next to it was an unused (though not functioning) World War II bomb. A 1947 Knucklehead motorcycle was parked by the fireplace to act as centerpiece of this mancave. It was as if someone entered Ron Swanson’s dreams and pulled that office out into reality.
After the tour, we were ushered into a refurbished barn where the ring that will test each of the contestants’ skills was located. There, we sat down and spoke with trainer-judges Bill DeMott, Trish Stratus, and Booker T; and new host “Stone Cold” Steve Austin.
DeMott was, most surprising, sweet. Known as a “heel” throughout most of his wrestling career, this 300 plus pounds of a man couldn’t help himself but to gush over the upcoming talent who were participating in WWE Tough Enough and those popping up throughout the wrestling world. And when he wasn’t heaping praise on the newbies, he was blushingly declaring his love for his two teenage daughters and baby son.
Stratus, who is not only beautiful and can kick your butt on any given day, revealed herself to be truly funny and lighthearted gal before seemingly segwaying into her time as host The Second City’s Next Comedy Legend for Canadian TV (think Last Comic Standing but for sketch and improve comedians) and as an improv student with the famed troupe in Toronto.
Booker T best described the philosophy of wrestling as “making the fans ‘feel’”. He saw the sport as part athleticism and part telling a story to the people who follow wrestling and shell out a lot of money for tickets and merchandizing. If it weren’t for them, he said, he wouldn’t be where he is today.
Austin talked about his favorite opponents (Bret “The Hitman” Hart and The Rock), about the time Lee Majors called him up to discuss the Steve Austin moniker (Major’s character in The Six Million Dollar Man was named Steve Austin), and how he loves working with new wrestling during his semi-retirement. He also told us that, unlike on other reality competition shows, the judges DO get along really well and that it makes for better television.
(He then sheepishly admitted that the only reality shows he watches –- other than the ones that air on History and Food Network – were The Bachelor and The Bachelorette because his wife enjoys them.)
After meeting with the judges, the producers invited us watch a taping of an episode and then to speak with the contestants. While going into the details of the taping and some of the contestant interviews would reveal a boatload of spoilers, we can say that without a doubt, the reboot of WWE Tough Enough is highly entertaining for WWE fans and extremely informative for those who know little of professional wrestling.
Now, some of the contestants did stand out. Here are three you should be on the lookout for:
Christina Crawford – not only is this 22-year-old Floridian a member of the UFC dance team (she is quite athletic), she is also the younger sister of Victoria Crawford, a.k.a. WWE Diva Champion Alicia Fox, so pro-wrestling runs in his veins.
Rima Fakih – as the reigning Miss USA, she is the most famous of the bunch but don’t let that crown and regal wave fool you. She knows her wrestling, citing The Ultimate Warrior and Bret “The Hitman” Hart as childhood idols, and would “rather by body slammed everyday than wear pageant clothes”.
Jeremiah Riggs – a former US Army Ranger and professional Mixed Martial Arts fighter, this guy is Tough with a capital T. In addition to being a talented athlete, he has a charismatic swagger and spouts out philosophical mottos like “never lose sleep, never lose focus”. He stands out among the men vying to be the next WWE Superstar.
WWE Tough Enough premieres Monday, April 4 at 11pm Eastern/10pm Central immediately following WWE Monday Night Raw and moves to its regular timeslot — Mondays at 8pm Eastern/7pm Central — starting on April 11.
