Television Report

THE OPENING OF THE FINALE

Jonathan Coachman and Trish Stratus opened the show from WWF New York and all of the contestants were seated at VIP tables with their families and the WWF Superstar trainers.

Coach and Trish did live wrap arounds of the final footage of this show. If you don't know what a live wrap around is, it is simply going back to WWF New York after one of the final segments aired and having Coach and Trish introduce the next one.


THE LAST SUPPER

The group decided it would be nice to make dinner for all of their trainers on the last night. Al Snow, Jackie, Tori, and "Big" John came to the house for the meal. I guess Tazz was busy doing Alliance business and he couldn't appear.


TOUGH ENOUGH THE BOARD GAME BEFORE DINNER!

Before they ate dinner, the group revealed their creation of WWF TOUGH ENOUGH the BOARD game. All of them played the game during the next few minutes of the episode of Tough Enough. We saw clips from past shows as they were playing the game which gave the production people their cue's to show the various highlights.

After the game they all sat down to eat dinner and "Big" John gave a toast to the group.

At one point during the dinner, Josh went and got dressed as Al Snow and came out with his wig on and a fake mustache painted on his face. This segment of the show was hilarious! Josh looked exactly like Al Snow, only smaller and was cracking me up.


THE DISCUSSION

"Big" John and Al discussed the positive of each contestant as we watched them working out in the ring. A few seconds later as Josh was working in the ring with Nidia, Vince McMahon walked in to the building.


THE FINAL EXAMINATION!

Vince McMahon and Kevin Dunn (WWF TV EXECUTIVE) were watching them all work out in the ring. Nidia v. Josh, Maven v. Chris, Taylor v. Maven, & Josh v. Chris were the matches these two watched during the next few minutes of WWF TOUGH ENOUGH.

Vince made comments about some of the contestants. He said Taylor had a "women's softball body, athletic". And he noted that Josh was a "fiery little bastard" about his work ethic inside the ring. Kevin Dunn said Josh took the best bumps inside the ring.

Both were very impressed at how far the five had come in such a short period of time.


VINCE MCMAHON GIVES THEM THE FINAL ORAL EXAMINATION

Each of the five contestants joined Kevin Dunn and Vince McMahon in a secluded conference room for this segment.

Vince asked them some general questions and questions he wanted to get the answers too (obviously). He asked them first what had intrigued them about the wrestling business?

Each of the contestants gave brief reasons as to what attracted them to the pro-wrestling world with the emphasis being put on how they were really attracted for their love of the business.

Vince asked about the toughest part of WWF TOUGH ENOUGH for each of them next and Nidia mentioned to her it was the psychological pain that it caused, and the physical pain wasn't as bad as the psychological pain.

Vince asked them if they had made any bonds or lasting friendships with the other contestants or trainers? Chris mentioned that he hadn't. And Vince inquired as to why he had not made any, and Chris told Vince he did not think the other contestants and trainers were the type of people he would socialize with.

Maven talked about how he had become good friends with Josh and how he had formed a bond with some of the trainers as well.

Vince asked them about characters, and what they thought they could use as a character in the pro-wrestling industry and Josh said he could be the underdog babyface, Maven was pushed towards being a ladies man by Vince, because he was told Maven was one outside of the sport. Maven said he would like to think he is, but didn't know. He was humbled by Vince's impression of him being one. Great moment.

Chris thought he could use the Harvard background as a gimmick. Vince asked Nidia and Taylor about life on the road next. Both of them told him it wasn't going to be a problem for them.

When all five were asked if they were TOUGH ENOUGH, all five answered they were, with Maven being the most confident sounding with his answer.

Vince wished them all luck and that was it for the Oral Examination.


BACK LIVE WITH COACH AND TRISH

Coach made a joke about Trish being in Vince's office, because he is a buffoon. Maybe Coach is Darryl's father. Hmm. Trish told him not to go there.

They introduced the trainers sitting at the tables, and Tori was not present for some reason, and they didn't mention her at all during the entire show. Which was odd to me at least. I am not sure why this happened, if she has parted ways with the company, or if she was just unable to be there. She was shown in video highlight's but she wasn't present LIVE. Then again, Tazz wasn't at the dinner, so maybe Tori and Tazz can't be in the same place at the same time. Heh.


THE CRYING GAME BEGINS

They all said goodbye's to each other at the house. And cried. We see the guys packing and writing out thank you cards for the trainers.

Nidia was crying when she was writing one of the cards. We get the contestants reflections on the entire show so far.


THE GRADUATION

Josh, Maven, Chris, Nidia, and Taylor defeated Al Snow, Tazz, Jackie, and Tori. The trainers beat the hell out of the students in this match and they worked them over STIFF. Taylor took a brutal clothesline by Jackie and went down hard! It looked like her head was almost torn off! Tazz beat the hell out of Josh with his infamous forearm smashes! Tazz also did the same to Chris. In the end, all of the contestants got in on the action and got worked over STIFF! Josh got the eventual pinfall on Al Snow.

They gave the trainers the cards after the match. They all posed for a picture with each other. "Big" John, Tazz, Jackie, Tori and Al Snow all gave the contestants a farewell talk explaining how proud they all are of all five of them. And how they hoped none of them would give up the dream if they lost, they had come way too far to do that.

Al told them all they should stand up, fold their chairs up, and they wouldn't have to place them on the side with the other tombstones because they were TOUGH ENOUGH, and they could take the chairs with them, they had earned them (Cool).


THE DEPARTURE

We see all five getting ready and leaving the house for the last time, and Nidia says goodbye to the house as they drive away.

Chris said even though the other four might not be his friends, he has respect for them.


LIVE AT WWF NEW YORK

Al Snow is talking with Jackie about the clothesline we saw her put on Taylor, and Jackie said Taylor took a "good ass kicking" and did not complain about it. Taylor said she was thinking about how she should 'never piss her off' when she got hit with the clothesline. Taylor said she would look forward to getting back in to the ring with Jackie.


GOOD OL JR IN THE GREEN ROOM

Jim Ross was shown in the Green Room getting ready to come out and give us the first winner, the female winner of WWF TOUGH ENOUGH.


BACK FROM BREAK

Coach talked about Bobbie Jo, Victoria, and Paulina. Bobbie Jo did not get a favorable reaction from the live audience. She was the one that wanted to use pro-wrestling as a springboard to doing Playboy. You know another Sable. Paulina got a favorable reaction. She was the monster behemoth female who was injured and had to quit due to a knee injury. If she was to get in to WWF TOUGH ENOUGH II, She would be the favorite in the contest.

They recapped Taylor and Nidia's run on WWF TOUGH ENOUGH next in a video package.


ROSS IS READY

Jim Ross came out to announce the female winner. I wanted it to be Taylor, for my own reasons. I think Nidia is an excellent choice as well. I do not like how Nidia is obsessed with Jeff Hardy. I think that can cause a lot of trouble in the future. I thought Taylor overall was better in a lot of areas that Nidia wasn't, in example, she wasn't obsessed with Jeff Hardy!

But it wasn't as if either one was going to be the wrong choice. Ross made the announcement and Nidia got the win.


MY THOUGHTS

Was Nidia the right choice over Taylor? Before Nidia's speech, I did not think she was. After it, I did. She put over Taylor and called Taylor her "Tag Team Partner" and said she couldn't have done it with out her. Good stuff. Classy stuff. I like that. Why did Taylor lose the contest? I think two areas STICK out.

Taylor blew the promo spot on the trip to Indianapolis. She was afraid to do the promo and was bitten with stage fright. Nidia wasn't. Nidia wasn't excellent at it, but she got it done without running away and diving on to a couch because of nerves.

Secondly, Taylor made a crucial mistake during her match with Josh when Vince McMahon was personally watching. She showed light! She did not do one spot correctly during a dropkick. She fell way too early, and I think this could have been a HUGE factor in her losing. I am not saying WWF Superstars do not make mistakes like this from time to time because we all know they do. But Vince McMahon was watching her and it caused her to make a mistake. What would happen if she was in front of a PPV audience?

Taylor was of course upset about the decision and was shown crying. I feel so bad for her. Because she has what it takes! She is TOUGH ENOUGH in my opinion, and she has a bright future in this industry. She will have many offers to get work in the independent scene. I hope she takes the chances she gets and pursues this business. There is no reason why she could not one day make it to the WWF, and she might even be able to make it to the WWF before Nidia does. There is NO GUARANTEE that the winners are going to be WWF Superstars. They are going to get a chance to make it to the WWF in the future. There is a big difference. Many factors come in to play after they get that chance.


BACK TO THE SHOW

Tazz talked to Taylor and asked her what it was like being "Just another victim?" She said she feels the WWF doesn't want her. But she was very happy for Nidia. Tazz asked her to answer in one word if she was going to let this make her quit, and she said, "NO".


WWF TOUGH ENOUGH 2 LOCATION ANNOUNCED

We were told that WWF TOUGH ENOUGH 2 would have the casting call in Las Vegas (OH BOY, GAMBLING!) and the show would emanate from THE BEACHES OF LOS ANGELES!


MY THOUGHTS ON THE CITY OF THE ANGELS GETTING WWF TOUGH ENOUGH 2

Two things come to mind, MTV, and MTV. MTV obviously likes to have these "reality series" move around. Like The Real World. It was never in the same location. A change of pace isn't a bad thing. Because it would be quite boring to see the exact same house with different cast members.

MTV, MTV also likes to have T and A. They like to have SEX. They like to have reality shows with controversial issues being discussed. And it wasn't going to happen in Connecticut. For a lot of reasons. The first being the CLIMATE. If it snows, you won't get BIKINI's. So the first WWF TOUGH ENOUGH was more or less constricted by the weather in CT. But if you have the second show in LA, and it never snows in LA, all you have to worry about is RAIN.

If you add the BEACH, and remember this is LA, you have to add the elements of HOLLYWOOD. So you are going to get all of the NUT JOBS in LA trying out for the show. You are going to get all of the women who want to be actresses trying out. And you are going to have a show that is going to deliver in the demographic MTV historically goes after.

I will wait to see how they do the show in LA, as opposed to CT, before I make a snap judgement on if this is good or bad.


THE MALE DECISION IS IN

Ross announced that Maven was the winner on the male side. Chris got up when Ross made the announcement and for a second I thought we were going to see the angle. But it never happened and Chris just was upset as he always is when he loses.

A Maven chant erupted (this guy is GOLD). Josh was on his chair and applauding (classy!). Of course Chris was sulking (as per usual).

Maven thanked all the people that made this possible, including all of the wrestlers, and all of the wrestlers that came before them that made it possible. He dedicated the win to his mother. Maven is a most excellent choice!

Al Snow talked to Josh. A Josh chant broke out next. He said he feels great for Maven, but will be disappointed later. He said he is going to continue to pursue wrestling.

Tazz talked to the brat Chris who said this isn't the last we have seen of him.


MY THOUGHT ON THE MALE WINNER

Maven was the man. He is the man. Maven is the one guy that I thought could walk right on to WWF TV right now, and make it. He obviously is not going to do that, and is going to get time in down on the farm. I just think Maven had it all.

He isn't that SMALL, sure he wasn't as big as Chris, so what. He has skills in the ring, and he has the entertainment element to him. He has this LOOK that you just want to see (like The Rock). And he has a special something that you rarely see in pro-wrestling. A genuine real life likability to him. I like him, and he reminds me a lot of The Rock. And I hate The Rock! I dislike The Rock with a passion. Maven is as talented in some areas as The Rock is, but he doesn't have the element which makes me dislike The Rock. So I think Maven was, and is THE MAN.

Josh is a most excellent choice also. I think Josh can make the WWF a lot of money. And I hope Al Snow gave Josh two phone numbers. Cornette and Thatcher. There is no reason why OVW or HWA can't sign this kid and train him some more. He would fit right in to the mix and might be in the WWF in a few years!

Chris, SCREW YOU! Why did Chris lose? He is an arrogant Harvard stooge that thinks he is BETTER then everybody else. When Vince McMahon asked Chris if he had made any bonds during this contest, the correct answer is TO KISS VINCES ASS.

YES, Mr. McMahon! I did, and I thank you for this most generous chance to make it to the WWF. Sir, I have made the greatest connections of my entire life! And just for that, I am grateful! I learned so much in this contest about myself, my abilities, and the people surrounding me. I will forever be changed.

What did he answer with? NO. I didn't. Because these are not the type of people I would hang out with or socialize with. Maven, Josh, Taylor, Nidia, Al Snow, Tori, Jackie, Ivory, Triple H, Tazz, and Vince McMahon himself are not the type of people he would hang out with. That isn't the right answer Chris. Even if you feel that, it isn't the right way to answer that question properly if you want the contest.

Because Al Snow is a microcosm of everything that is RIGHT about the pro wrestling industry. Do you think you are the only person that went to college and got a degree to go on to pursue wrestling? D-Lo Brown is a freakin' CPA! Al Snow is a very intelligent man! If you are saying that Al Snow is the type of person you would hang out with or socialize with or become BUDDIES with, then nobody in the WWF is!

Because Al Snow is probably the most diplomatic guy in the WWF, and the rest are more BLUNT then he is. Al Snow actually made friends with some of the contestants that were booted off the show. Al Snow felt bad when they didn't make it. If you can't socialize with a guy like Al Snow, I think Vince McMahon would suggest you don't belong in the WWF. Because the WWF is about socializing every day of your career. The boys help each other out daily, and care about each other and their families. It isn't about ME in the WWF (well it isn't supposed to be, but from time to time, it is).

Chris didn't KISS VINCE'S ASS and it is ironic that the guy that kissed everyone's ass in the smorgasbord of kissing ass (known as his life on this show) neglected to kiss the biggest ass of them all. Wait a second, did I just infer that Vince McMahon is the biggest ass of them all? I didn't mean to write that. And if I offended anybody by saying that Vince McMahon could be the biggest ass of them all, I am sorry! I meant that Vince in this situation was the biggest ass of them all for Chris to KISS.

But maybe Chris was trying to prove to us that he wasn't an ASS KISSER after all, and thus didn't SMOOCH Vince's Ass. Then again, Chris lost his chick, he lost the respect of his college football coach for doing the Yale's Bitch bit, and he lost his place in life when he forgot he was an ASS KISSER. I think Chris just blew the entire thing in the end.


THE CLOSING

COACH then closed the show saying Nidia and Maven were the winners.


THE CONTESTANT'S

Female: Bobby Jo, Nidia, Paulina, Taylor and Victoria.

Males: Chris Ni., Chris No., Darryl, Greg, Jason, Josh, Maven, and Shadrick.