Quick hits on WWE Tough Enough
• There were two eliminations on Monday night’s episode of WWE Tough Enough, which means we’re down to the final three. As expected, A.J. got booted off this time, and Christina – who had been the only woman left in the competition – also was sent home. So that leaves Luke, Jeremiah and Andy.
• Andy was in the bottom three this week and I thought there was a decent chance that he was going to be the one to leave the house instead of Christina. However, she wasn’t able to do much physically because of the sprained ankle she suffered on last week’s episode, and she did not do well when given an opportunity to display her verbal skills. Andy was even worse on the mic, but he did have a good session in the ring and he obviously has his size going for him.
• The “bottom three” segment with “Stone Cold” Steve Austin was intense. He gave a verbal beatdown to Andy, who was fighting back tears and looked as if he was about to explode. I actually thought for a second there that he was going to take a swing at Austin.
• I had been anxiously waiting for an episode like this one in which the focus was on charisma and promo skills. The contestants were asked to cut a promo in the ring on trainer Bill DeMott, and – in an effort to gauge how capable they are of engaging a crowd – they each hosted a Hollywood Walk of Fame bus tour. As I expected, Luke handled himself well on the mic, but as far as the promos with DeMott, A.J. surprisingly delivered the best one by far. Unfortunately for him, one good day wasn’t enough to save him, as both DeMott and Austin noted.
• It must have been quite a thrill for the contestants to not only lock up in the ring with The Rock – this week’s guest star – but to also have "The Great One" cut a promo on them.
Comments
Hey Kevin,
Wanted to get your thoughts on how Rocky looked during the lock ups?
Looks like he's still got it but what do you think of Rock having a mini feud to tide us til mania? Thinking over the summer feud ending @ Summerslam, it could give him some momentum and gives him time to make some more digs @ Cena
Anyway, your thoughts, Kevin?
Posted by: Brian | May 26, 2011 1:46 AM
Kevin Eck and Luke, sittin in a tree...
The man crush meter just broke, sheesh.
Posted by: Isaac316 | May 26, 2011 2:41 AM
It's Luke's to lose at this point. Although I don't think he needs to win it to get a shot in the WWE.
Posted by: Patrick Johnson | May 26, 2011 8:07 AM
I know it's all opinion but Andy didn't do worse than Christina in the promo challenge. Rewatch plz.
Posted by: Failure Turtle | May 26, 2011 12:40 PM
I think Andy got a free ride there. He's probably got the most potential of the group, but he's lucky he didn't seriously injure Luke. His combination of size and intensity probably has the brass salivating - hence my free ride comment. Dare I say, his glare is reminiscent of U/T's?
Glad AJ went out strong, and Christine just doesn't have the maturity right now.
Posted by: Ruzious | May 26, 2011 4:44 PM
I feel sorry for Jeremiah. Andy was obviously put into the bottom three to light a fire under him and the trainers clearly have no interest in declaring Jeremiah the winner.
It is going to be a major shock to him when he loses.
Posted by: Caps Nut | May 26, 2011 8:18 PM
Kevin, this is way off topic, but do you think WWE will give us John Cena vs. Undertaker this year? I'm pretty sure they'll do Triple H and Taker rematch at Summerslam, but with Cena already booked against the Rock @ Wrestlemania 28 and it might be a safe assumption that Taker may retire with a 20 - 0 record, it seems like a big waste if we don't have a Cena vs. Taker, at least at Survivor Series or the Rumble. I doubt they'd do it at a minor PPV? Seems like a guaranteed money maker that has not yet been done. Think we'll get it?
Posted by: rob | May 26, 2011 9:00 PM
Sorry but I have to disagree, I think Andy can take this thing. His in ring stuff has been good to great and is commented on by the trainers all the time,this "Silent Rage" thing is custom made and is "HIM" to me.His best promo was with Austin in the bottom 3 confrontation last show,he is large,athletic and for my money shows much more potential and upside then Puke. If Puke were half as good as he thought he was he would be somebody,what I see is an arrogant a$$ who doesn't look out for the other performers,and will get his shot one way or another no doubt but will quickly fizzle and fall unless propped up by someone in management that swears by him keeps pushing and pushing him so as not to be wrong. There are numerous cases of other WWE performers that this has happened with,the crowd knows it,the other talent knows it,but the backer refuses to be wrong so they keep pushing and pushing until inevitably Vince pulls the plug and ends it. Sure the guy is athletic and his arrogance will get him auto "heel heat" but I see it as short lived because he thinks he is like Hulk Hogan and never has to get anyone over,just my take but watch and we shall see. Jeremiah is being hindered by his MMA background and Puke filling his head full of BS,thus hindering his development,he is stiff and has the same problem as Luke that goes without any mention on the show,he doesn't put people over,Luke doesn't because he thinks he is better than everyone else and doesn't need to as the "chosen one" ,Jeremiah is inexperienced and needs to learn,big difference,but it seems Luke has him believing that it has always been a 2 man show and they are it.I think both of them (Jeremiah & Andy) show much more upside than Luke,I think both of them can and will end up better in the long run. Only time will tell but if I'm right you heard it here first. I'm betting on Andy,I think Stone Cold knows it hence the fire last week,unless Andy drops the ball after this which I doubt he will be the surprise winner. I think Stone Cold brought out something in Andy he may have been afraid to show I don't expect him to make this mistake again,he needs lots and lots of work on the mic but there is nothing wrong with him playing the Silent Rage part up,keeping his speaking down while being crafted and letting that anger we saw for real at Stone Cold manifest itself in his character and in the ring. Good Luck Andy wish I could be your manager I would take you to the top where you belong,and drop preppy boy back to the house shows where he belongs.That's my opinion and I am sticking with it.
Posted by: mickfowl | May 28, 2011 5:25 PM