Welcome to Episode 2 of "Tough Enough." Last week viewers got to meet Stone Cold Steve Austin's fourteen wannabe wrestlers. By the end of the show, only thirteen were left and the rest were probably thinking twice about a life in wrestling.
Ariane Andrew was the first one sent home, and with good reason. Even on her way out I still don't think she "got it."
The remaining contestants are:
* Martin Casaus
*Matt Capiccioni
* Christina Crawford
* Michelle Deighton
* Rima Fakiah (Miss USA)
* Ryan Howe
* A.J. Kirsch
* Andy Leavine
* Jeremiah Riggs
* Luke Robinson
* Ivelisse Velez
* Eric Watts
* Mickael Zaki
Last week, Miss USA had looked somewhat klutzy taking bumps and hadn't hesitated to stick a pad down her backside to cushion the bumps. Not a good idea for someone claiming to be tough enough.
Michelle Deighton, who claimed to have eleven years of 'rassling experience, could have used a refresher course. Michelle looked very familiar, though. Hmmmm. Tyra Banks? "America's Next Top Model"? Jonny Fairplay? Does any of that ring a bell?
They weren't all clueless, however. Luke had looked particularly good.
So who will survive week 2 and who will be told to pack his or her bags and go?
This week's topic was courage and the special guest was John Cena. Austin said he'd seen people paralyzed or die in the ring.
Ryan commented on the nickname "Skid Marks" that Bill DeMott had given him and observed that he seemed to be on Stone Cold's shit list.
As they continued to work out in the ring, Trish was working with them on their personas. She specifically wanted Matt to work on his character.
John Cena took questions from the wannabes and he urged them to make the most of everyday. He also reminded them they were only as good as what they do tomorrow. Most of them had serious cases of being starstruck.
Mykeal, the resident smart ass, made a point to tease SkidMarks/Ryan for keeping a diary. Ryan missed his girlfriend and said he would go home if she asked him to. Mykeal was the last person he should have shared that information with.
Stone Cold asked the group to change their clothes and meet him outside, where they were greeted by a pack of barking dogs. They were told to put on padded attack suits and run like the wind as the dogs chased them. Stone Cold chuckled as he said how much he loved those snarling dogs.
Eric showed that he could hang in there with the dogs; so did Luke. Jeremiah ran the whole way and impressed the trainers. Andy, according to DeMott, went "ass over tea kettle" half way through. Rima lost some hair to one of the dogs but was proud to tell the tale.
But the attack dogs were nothing compared to a charging Bill DeMott, as the hopefuls would soon learn.
The next morning Big Bill noticed someone missing. Twenty minutes later Rima sauntered in. Uh oh.
It was time for Bill DeMott to do some hard charging. Martin was first as they took body slams. AJ said Big Bill was more viscious than the dogs. Christina said it was like getting run over by a freight train. Sleepy Rima and Michelle did well and Matt said he felt like a bug on a windshield. Jeremiah and Eric both took the bumps in stride.
It was finally time for Stone Cold to meet with Trish and DeMott to discuss the bottom three. It was noted that Booker was away doing Smackdown this week.
At the top of their list was Luke, who is already perceived as a leader. At the bottom of their list was Eric, who was like talking to a wall, Ryan, who was a goof, and Matt, who failed to turn on when the spotlight was on him.
Rima was game, tough, and had guts; however, she was late and needed some motivation, said Stone Cold.
Stone Cold told Matt, Ryan and Rima to pack their bags.
Michelle advised Matt to stick up for himself. He should have listened to her.
Austin asked each of them what they saw when they looked in the mirror. No one said they saw a WWE superstar.
Rima said she didn't want to do Miss USA stuff; she wanted to wrestle. She sounded like she meant it.
Austin said Ryan was too nice to make it in the business and said he should have told DeMott to shove that nasty nickname.
Stone Cold warned Rima again about being late.
Matt said he was waiting for his moment. Stone Cold told him his moment had passed. Matt could not believe that Austin was reaching for his TE belt. He almost refused to give it back. He was in shock and said he doesn't know how to regroup or push on.
Guess he'd better figure something out. Like Stone Cold said, his wrestling
moment has passed.
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Programming Note
"Tough Enough" is seen on Monday nights at 8:00/7:00 CT, as well as various times during the week. Check local listings.
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