I'm starting to get back on track after the whirlwind of four-plus days in Atlanta for WrestleMania-related events, and finally watched the season premiere of Tough Enough, which aired Monday night after Raw.
Overall, I was impressed with the show, from the style in which it was shot and edited to the content.
What I was most impressed with was the performance of "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. I don't think WWE could have found a more perfect host for Tough Enough.Watching the show, I was reminded of just how much of a talent and a larger than life figure he truly is. This was not the "Stone Cold light" character we've seen from his occasional appearances in WWE since he ended his active wrestling career. You know, the guy who jokes around, gets the crowd to chant "What?" and then delivers a few Stunners and has a beer bash in the ring.
No, this was the foul-mouthed, tough as nails, dangerous, "Rattlesnake," the man who turned the wrestling world on its ear in the late '90s.
While there were some elements of reality TV – a genre that I am definitely not a fan of – on the show that I could have done without, I'll be tuning in to Tough Enough every week if for no other reason than to watch Austin do his thing.
A few other observations from Monday's show:
I think Austin definitely made the right in call in making Ariane the first member of the cast to be eliminated. If having a bit of an attitude and constantly pulling up her pants while learning to run the ropes weren't bad enough, she sealed her fate when Austin asked her what her favorite match of all time was and she answered, "Melina versus Alicia Fox." A flabbergasted Austin replied, "Who?" When he asked her to name another match that she liked, Ariane was stuck for answer. …
Eighteen minutes into the program we had some of the competitors yelling and throwing things at each other. This is the kind of contrived, annoying reality garbage that just makes me want to turn the channel. …
I have a feeling that Rima Fakih will be on this show until the very end because of the novelty of "Miss USA" pursuing a career as a pro wrestler. Her ghetto chick persona was annoying and seemed forced.
