Quick hits on WWE Tough Enough
• And then there were two. Jeremiah was eliminated on Monday night’s episode of WWE Tough Enough, so it’ll be Luke versus Andy on next week’s season finale. They will compete in a five-minute exhibition match before a live audience and WWE brass at an FCW show.
• After Martin was forced to leave the show two weeks ago because of a fractured ankle, I figured the final two would be Luke and Jeremiah. However, Andy showed progress in the ring the past two weeks, while Jeremiah’s inexperience and recklessness made him dangerous to work with, so I can’t disagree with “Stone Cold” Steve Austin’s decision to send Jeremiah home. In the end, I don’t think it really matters, because Andy and Jeremiah were just fighting for second place anyway, in my opinion. This contest has been Luke’s to lose pretty much since the beginning. The only way I see Andy winning is if WWE puts more emphasis on size than in-ring ability and charisma.
• Jeremiah showed throughout the series that he’s a good athlete and has a quirky personality. If he can smooth out his rough edges in the ring and learn to work safely, I could see him getting into WWE at some point.
• The Miz came off very well during his guest appearance. It’s interesting that his Tough Enough background wasn’t brought up, but I suppose it would make winning the competition seem like less of a big deal if it was explained how Miz finished second and is now a main-eventer and a former WWE champion, while the guy who beat him out – Daniel Puder – only had a cup of coffee in WWE before being dismissed.
• Austin was on fire during the final segment, as he verbally laid the smack down on all three guys. He nailed Luke for being “twitchy” and Andy for crying last week. And when Jeremiah said he left it all in the ring at this week’s training session, Austin replied that he “left a big pile of [bleep] in the ring.” Personally, I don’t see what the big deal is with Andy crying. It’s worked all these years for Ric Flair and Tommy Dreamer.
• Austin also had a good line when he and Luke were visiting a sick child in the hospital. After Austin autographed the child’s toy wrestling ring, Luke also signed it and said, “Hopefully, this will be worth a lot of money someday.” Not missing a beat, Austin said: “It already is. I signed it.”
• I noticed when Luke, Andy and Jeremiah did a shot together before going to meet Austin in the ring for the elimination that Andy – who has said during the series that he is straight edge – appeared to be drinking water while the other two had alcohol. However, when Austin invited Luke and Andy to take part in a beer bash after Jeremiah had been sent home, Andy was chugging beers right there with them. I guess when “Stone Cold” says drink, you drink.
Comments
I think Andy said he was being straight edge for the duration of the competition, not for life.
RESPONSE FROM KE: OK, but the competition isn't over yet.
Posted by: Anonymous | June 1, 2011 1:57 AM
I don't think Andy was 'straight edge' rather he was refraining from drinking in honor of his wife who is at home raising the kids. He said that it wouldn't be right for him to whoop it up while she's at home because it's serious business.
But where were the stunners? I kept expecting it to happen.
Posted by: adam | June 1, 2011 2:13 AM
After what happened to Puder and Maven, as well as Miz and Morrison I don't see why anybody thinks winning this competition is that important.
Posted by: eric | June 1, 2011 6:32 AM
@Adam
Where were the stunners? - you need to earn a stunner from Stone Cold Steve Austin !
Posted by: Anthony | June 1, 2011 8:08 AM
I have largely refrained from watching TE because I can't stand Austin. It's also hard for me to take the WWE seriously with regard to its anti-bullying campaign when Austin is nothing but a bully. And if that includes being bullied to drink alcohol what kind of message does that send to young people?
As a teetotaler, if Austin demanded I drink a beer I'd tell him what I tell everyone else, "I haven't had a drink in 20 years and I am sure as hell not going to start now."
Posted by: Aaron Goldstein | June 1, 2011 9:04 AM
"Andy was chugging beers right there with them. I guess when “Stone Cold” says drink, you drink."
Come on kevin, wouldn't you ignore everything you believe in for the chance to share a beer with Austin?
Posted by: Brian | June 1, 2011 9:18 AM
When ole Stone Cold hands you beer, you drink the son of b****! (Austin voice)
Posted by: Dan | June 1, 2011 10:08 AM
I hope your right Kev and we do see Jeremiah in a WWE ring soon. I really enjoyed him through out the competition and thought besides Luke and Martin that if there was anyone else who deserved to win the competition it was him. He has that very likable personality, while i see Luke as being much more like a Miz character. SO hopefully, after Luke wins, Jeremiah gets himself more acquainted with the ring so i can watch who i thought was the coolest person in the competition.
Posted by: Eric | June 1, 2011 10:48 AM
Although I badly want Andy to win, I kind of doubt he's prepared to travel 300 days a year and be away from his family for most of it. One thing that sticks with you in this show is when Austin said all the traveling means you "won't win any father of the year awards."
Obviously, Luke doesn't care. He's just looking for fame and groupies. But I can see Andy ditching WWE once the schedule begins wearing on him.
Posted by: Go Fish | June 1, 2011 2:14 PM
@Aaron - you can't stand Stone Cold and you'd turn down a beer if he offered it to you. You sound like a real blast to hang out with.
Anyway, Luke is the only one since day one that had any chance of being a true, long lasting superstar. There were more women that have a chance to be divas. Ivelisse will be a fantastic diva, I'm sure of it. If Christina can mature a whole lot, she can be too. I look forward to Luke Robinson in the WWE. Even if he is twitchy.
Posted by: Jay | June 1, 2011 3:55 PM
"The only way I see Andy winning is if WWE puts more emphasis on size than in-ring ability and charisma."
I sure hope you were being sarcastic with this comment, Eck.
RESPONSE FROM KE: Read into it what you will.
Posted by: BOFF | June 1, 2011 5:09 PM
Ahh...Daniel Puder. He was involved in one of my favorite Royal Rumble moments. When Eddie Guerrero and Chris Benoit took turns teeing off on him with some of the most violent chops I've ever seen. Welcome to the big leagues son.
How much of that million dollars do you think he was actually aloud to keep?
RESPONSE FROM KE: From what I recalll, the $1 million payoff was a sham. It was actually a four-year contract at $250,000 per year, but WWE had the right to terminate it after the first year -- which they did.
Posted by: Andre the Midget | June 1, 2011 6:58 PM
Andy never claimed to be straight edge - that was Matt who is friendly with CM Punk and got kicked off early on. Andy said he made a commitment to his wife not to drink during the competition at the house - and since that moment kind of marked the end of the competition there at the house - it made sense for Andy to drink then.
Posted by: Paul Cooper | June 2, 2011 10:55 AM
"The only way I see Andy winning is if WWE puts more emphasis on size than in-ring ability and charisma.".... When did WWE(F) EVER value ability and charisma over size? And to the commenter who can't stand Austin b/c he is a "bully"..Get a life
Posted by: Kb | June 2, 2011 7:42 PM