Report: Tough Enough To Be Revived on USA

by John Lamb on Oct 18, 2010 2:39 PM EDT in WWE

USA Network continues its genre expansion with a big push in reality programming. The top basic cable network is close to ordering its first unscripted series in 5 years, WWE Tough Enough. It is also in the process of hiring a reality executive, and USA programming president Jeff Wachtel has been meeting with top reality production companies to talk about his plans in the arena. USA's revival of Tough Enough actually came together separately from its current efforts in the unscripted area and stems from the network' relationship with WWE through USA staple WWE Raw. Tough Enough, which features contestants competing for a contract with WWE, ran on MTV for 3 seasons, and in 2004 it moved to UPN where it aired for a season as part of SmackDown. On USA, it also is expected to run in tandem with USA's WWE Raw series.

I actually really liked Tough Enough's run on MTV so I can't say that I am opposed to this idea. I know there were some rumblings that the WWE was going to incorporate NXT into their weekly shows like the last season of Tough Enough (famous for Daniel Puder shooting on Kurt Angle) was on Smackdown.

Just for kicks:

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I loved tough enough, because it showed just what it’s like to try to make it in the WWE. Sure, it glazed over a lot of stuff, but it was great TV. Not to mention, Tough Enough is responsible for The Miz, John Morrison, Josh Mathews, Matt Morgan, Skip Sheffeild, Melina, and The Boogeyman.

"A ringing single for David Eckstein who, in my view, is the perfect size for an American male." -Bob Costas

by Troy J. on Oct 18, 2010 2:45 PM EDT reply actions

I wonder if the WWE would acknowledge The Boogeyman being a former Tough Enough contestant. Same for Skip Sheffield albeit for different reasons. He is synonymous with NXT and Nexus so I doubt that they would mention he was on Tough Enough. ..but it’s not like half the audience didn’t remember him anyway.

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by John Lamb on Oct 18, 2010 3:06 PM EDT up reply actions

They don’t even like to mention The Miz and Morrison being from Tough Enough. It’s weird. It’s also weird that only Morrison remains of the Tough Enough winners.

"A ringing single for David Eckstein who, in my view, is the perfect size for an American male." -Bob Costas

by Troy J. on Oct 18, 2010 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions