Tough Enough Coming To The WWE Network

[Jack-Hammer]

I was a little surprised that a thread hadn't been created on this, but meh. During the WWE's quarterly financial report, Vince McMahon announced that Tough Enough would be coming to the WWE Network in the near future. Vince didn't specify when exactly and didn't really go into many details, only that the show would be featured on the network and that much of the footage would be filmed in the WWE Performance Center.

According to a few reports that've come out since, the format of the show MIGHT revolve around talent who're signed to NXT but either are rarely featured on television or who've yet to make their NXT debut. A set up like this MIGHT help to get someone over faster in NXT prior to them becoming a regular fixture on the NXT program due to fans already being familiar with them. At the same time, if the "contestants" are already technically signed to a contract, then the prize for the winner needs to be tweaked into something different. One option could be to fast track the winner to the main roster, but it's also risky. It could easily backfire if the winner genuinely wasn't main roster ready. Another possibility could be a guaranteed shot at the NXT Championship later down the line. All in all, however, it'll ultimately depend on what kinds of changes are made to the show's format. Who knows? It may turn out that it's simply best to let the show fade into obscurity.

 

[JT Strike's Alt]

Everyone is still sore about the last tough enough,
If this is gonna work let us vote who goes home similar to american idol.

We decide who we like, so why not let us decide who wins the show.
Let them actually wrestle instead of them lame storylines, and don't make it another total divas actually let it be about wrestling.

The fact that the only one in the wwe from the last tough enough was the worst one on the whole show Cameron. Its hard to be interested but i actually am excited, just dont let stone cold run the show, and don't let him choose some guy just cause he has a nice story or something.

Don't give them gimmicks quite yet, that can come afterwards let it all be about wrestling abilty, and then the gimmick can happen once they won the show.

That would be the perfect way, if it is like last time though tough enough may be officially cancelled forever. cause nobody wants to watch something for 12 weeks just to see the guy who wins get cheated out of a contract which he was promised.

 

[rbv13]

It will be interesting to see what adjustments, if any, are made to the show in an attempt to make it appealing to current and possible new Networks subscribers.

It would be cool to see the true in-depth journey of eight or so individuals from different backgrounds as they make their way to the WWE. Take an amateur style wrestler from his final run in the NCAA, through the recruiting process and transition. Do the same for an American independent wrestler and a foreign star. Show a bit of what their life is like before the WWE and how they adapt to the new style. Toss in a few fitness models, body builders and other amateur or professional athletes who are serious about making the jump. They wouldn’t necessarily need to make it a competition but a feel good series where a viewer could rally behind one performer or the group and feel an attachment for the long run.

Personally I’d like to see “Tough Enough: Creative Control.” Give the arm chair bookers a chance to shine or completely embarrass themselves. Most of us just say “do this” or “do that” but when faced with the real life issues and dilemmas of the creative process how would most fan boys hold up?

 

[THTRobtaylor]

The "creative control" idea kinda is interesting but they're not gonna risk a card or money on it... What might be interesting however is a hybrid, where they do have a "creative" role up for grabs... the 2 people up for it in the group has to come up with the gimmicks for the Tough Enough wrestlers, help them with promos etc... if their guy wins... they get the spot.

As to how to make it more interesting I like the idea of it being NXT centred and they have some interesting guys like the British Goalkeeper they signed... he'd be a good "story" for one of the contestants. In terms of trainers/presenters though it won't work with Austin so well if it's NXT focused. Not sure DeMott is the right guy these days to be "front and centre" as Trips clearly has that role in NXT so they may go with Billy Gunn, who has been relevant a lot more recently and they also have Regal there now. Trips in the old "Big" role - Regal as the DeMott and Gunn as the Al Snow type works

In terms of presenters, it might be something they can entice Edge back with, particularly if they teamed him with Christian as a co-presenter. Austin is "too big time" for NXT week in week out but can see him doing a few cameos or taking the role "once the show progresses to main roster shows". Perhaps after a set number of weeks they have a final "cut" and the action moves to the main roster.

The main thing with this being on the WWE network is there is no "season length" it can be a year and really show their progress or they can do it in shorter seasons on an ongoing basis.

 

[Dagger Dias]

Having Tough Enough be a part of the WWE Network would be a great idea. Alongside Legends House it would be a nice change of pace for things to watch in between the in-ring shows, old PPV's, and the WWE documentaries. I really enjoyed the 2011 edition with Stone Cold as the host, so I would not be against him running the show again if they went that route. It's just a shame that the winner of that season was never seen again after one appearance in a promo and the Stunner he got from Stone Cold on Raw. It has been long enough that they can, and should, try this show again. Bring back everyone who was involved as a trainer on the 2011 season. I'd watch it on the WWE Network. If it is centered around stars looking to get noticed on NXT and win an NXT title shot, that's all the better to me.

 

[Wally Dangerously]

I thought the last season of Tough Enough was good too, even including Skid Mark. I would definitely check out a few episodes on the network to see if it's any good.

Having all of the contestants being NXT competitors would indeed require some prize tweaking. Rewarding the winner with a main roster spot does seem too risky. Giving the winner a title shot for the men's or women's NXT chamionship at one of the NXT "special events" seems plausible, but that might not be a big enough reward.

I'll definitely check it out, but I won't be surprised if the winner goes nowhere, just like Andy Leavine. Ariane, I believe, was the first person eliminated on the last season of Tough Enough (remember that her favorite wrestling match of all time is Alicia Fox vs. Melina at Summerslam?) and look where she is now.