WWE Tough Enough report
April 11, 2010
Week 2 - Aired on USA Network
Report by James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

Cast List (age)
Men
-- Matt Capiccioni (M-Dogg 20) (30)
-- Andy Leavine (23)
-- Jeremiah Riggs (28)
-- Martin Casaus (26)
-- Ryan Howe (23)
-- A.J. Kirsch (27)
-- Luke Robinson (26)
-- Eric Watts (25)
-- Michael Zakki (26)
Women
-- "Miss USA" Rima Fakih (25)
-- Christina Crawford (22)
-- Michelle Deighton (25)
-- Ivelisse Velez (22)
-- Ariane Andrews (23) - eliminated 4/4

Week 2 of Tough Enough started with Steve Austin narrating video highlights from last week's episode focused on the drama, conflict, and personalities that will be on-display this season.

Tonight, John Cena helps the contestants address their fears in the ring...and on the field. 13 contestants remain. Who will be Tough Enough? Cue up the standard intro video focusing on the contestants trying to get to the level of Cena, Triple H, The Rock, Undertaker, The Miz, and other top stars.

House: They cut to the living quarters to show Eric and Michelle returning to the house after surviving the Bottom 3 last week. Eric said he needs to get his training right. Matt (M-Dogg 20) said he doesn't think Eric can hold up and he thinks he's gone next.

Daily Training: Bill DeMott put the contestants through their paces, focusing on Michelle trying to step it up. Austin then stepped in and the music changed to sell Austin as the top dog on the show. Austin addressed the contestants about things that can happen in the ring such as paralysis and death. He warned them about needing to respect the ring.

Video aired of the contestants doing basic holds and moves on each other. Five minutes in, it was Jeremiah Time calling out Ryan. Ryan then spoke on-camera about DeMott having it out for him and needing to prove him wrong that he's halfway decent in the ring.

Coming up: John Cena makes an appearance.

[Commercial Break]

Daily Training: Booker T and Trish Stratus were shown putting the contestants through their paces. Stratus pulled Matt to the side to get some personality out of him. Matt was then put in the ring with Luke, who shined while Matt didn't show personality. Luke talked on-camera about "stealing the show" when Trish was trying to spotlight Matt.

John Cena was shown arriving at the house. They had a great reaction of Ryan with a deer in the headlight looks not seeing what the fuss was about. Austin welcomed Cena into the training facility before narrating a video package on Cena's career highlights in WWE.

Cena was shown in the ring telling the contestants telling them to worry about making it through tomorrow, not just WWE. Cena gave the floor to the contestants to ask questions. Jeremiah and A.J. asked about the rigors of wrestling. Matt asked who Cena would like to work with that he hasn't yet. Cena shot a look to Austin, who waved him off. Rima then came across starstruck asking Cena if he would marry him.

In the ring, Rima took some bumps as Cena and Austin watched on. "How's that back feel, Miss USA? Give her another one!" Austin said, offering a solid soundbyte to start the show. Cena was shown shaking hands with the contestants before talking on-camera about the consistency needed to survive and thrive in WWE.

House: Back to the house, where the contestants were shown drinking it up. Luke then walked in dressed like Austin for an "interview" with Jeremiah. Luke and Jeremiah wrestled in the living room as A.J. talked about the rest of the contestants being on Tough Enough for the right reasons while they're wondering about Luke and Jeremiah.

[Commercial Break. Raw next: Cena vs. Rock at WrestleMania 28. What's next for Cena?]

House the next day: The contestants were shown working out in the house gym before Zakki teased Ryan about writing some stuff down on notepad. Zakki teased Ryan about writing a letter to his girlfriend. "One thing that happens a lot is writing Tiffany," he said, before crying about being away from her. Ryan said he's trying to keep his mind on the competition.

Training: Back to the facility, Austin walked in and told the contestants to line up. Austin said he has a little activity today to drive home the point about courage. The contestants changed into their running shoes and were sent to a field to be chased down by some lethal canines. Austin told them they will start at the starting line, "haul ass to the checkered flag," and try to make it to the flag before the dog bites them on the rear.

The contestants didn't stand a chance here. Eric talked some trash and the dog grabbed him half-way through, but Eric kept running with the dog hanging on him to cross the finish line. Matt also made it by dragging a dog across the finish line. Luke also made it dragging a dog. Jeremiah a/k/a "MMA," according to Austin, also made it. DeMott was impressed with Jeremiah for running all the way. Ryan made it, much to DeMott's disdain since he wanted to see the dog eat his face. Miss USA got a chunk of her hair.

Austin then addressed the contestants on needing courage to make it in WWE. He gave them the rest of the day off before noting the next elimination would be the next day.

Coming up: DeMott squishing the contestants in the corner with a corner splash.

[Commercial Break]

Training facility: The contestants were shown warming up. DeMott was shown counting heads, then they cut to a shot of Rima just waking up at the house. Rima walked in, prompting a sarcastic laugh from DeMott.

Steve Austin then walked in for the Skills Challenge of the week. Austin noted Booker T was not here, as he was at Smackdown. This week, the drill is surviving DeMott's corner splash followed by five bodyslams.

Steve and Trish watched as DeMott put the contestants through the challenge. They had some nice face-to-face confrontations between the contestants and DeMott after each one finished the challenge. Austin noted Michelle took it like a "sonofabitch," which was a complement. Matt came up bleeding at the elbow. Zakki came up with a nose bleed. Jeremiah, in his country accent, noted you get your ass handed to you and take it in stride. Eric was given the toughest stare down from DeMott, who owned this whole segment.

Austin, Trish, and DeMott then went into Austin's office to consult on the Bottom 3 this week.

[Commercial Break]

Austin's office: Austin broke down who's at the top of the list this week. Trish liked Luke this week. DeMott said he carries himself well. DeMott said Eric is awful training-wise. Austin liked him talking trash to the dog, so maybe there's something to him. DeMott doesn't like Ryan, calling him a goof. Austin said he's not main event. Trish said Matt blew it in his books. Austin and the trainers noted Rima has guts, but they don't think she can keep up with the schedule. Trish said she was in the same position as her when she first joined WWE. DeMott said being late is blowing a once-in-a-lifetime shot. Austin said perhaps she needs some motivation.

Austin walked back out to address the contestants. He said it's about the entire body of work, not just this week. First person in the Bottom 3 is Matt (M-Dogg). Next was Ryan. Finally, Rima. He told them to head back to the house and get their stuff together. Martin talked on-camera about Matt having the most skills, and it being surprising he was in the Bottom 3. He said it could be a message that no one is safe.

House: Matt talked to Michelle, who was in the Bottom 3 last week, about saving himself. Michelle said Matt just needs to put his personality into his wrestling career. Matt said this is his career and nothing else. Next was Rima talking about being worried, but feeling like she belongs. "I don't want to go back to Miss USA, I want to wrestle," she said. The ultra-confident Zakki told Ryan he thinks he's going home. Ryan shot back he'll fly to New Jersey to laugh in his face when he gets voted off.

[Commercial Break]

Raw cut-in: Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler were heard cutting in from Raw on the way back to the show. The big tease is Edge with a shocking announcement.

Training facility: Rima, Matt, and Ryan walked into the facility holding their WWE Title belts. Austin then walked into the ring to address them. Austin asked Rima what she sees in the mirror. She said she's a pretty girl, but she wants to prove everyone wrong. Matt said he sees potential. He said he thinks this is a perfect marriage of everything he brings to the table. Ryan said he sees a strong, driven individual. Austin didn't like the cliches. "How long do it take you to think of that bulls---?" he asked.

Austin said not one of them said a WWE Superstar. Austin told Matt he should be showing a lot more with his experience in the business. He said he's seen Miss USA do as much as Matt has. Austin pulled out his watch. He said he is fascinated with time and he cannot be late. He addressed Rima on being late. Why was she late - arrogance or laziness? Austin said he doesn't know if Rima's body can handle this.

Next to get a tongue-lashing was Ryan. Austin did not like any of Ryan's responses, so he asked Matt why Ryan should be gone. Austin said Ryan is too nice to be in the business and he's got that puppy love look. Austin asked Matt why he hasn't asserted himself as an alpha male in this business yet. Matt said he's waiting for his moment. Austin said he came into WWE with The Ringmaster - he knew it sucked, but it was a foot in the door. Austin said was jerking the curtain while Hunter and Rock were hogging the main event. He went off on everyone before asking Matt why he hasn't broken from the pack. Austin was full-on Stone Cold going off on everyone.

Austin then made his decision to take Matt's belt and eliminate him. Matt resisted and Austin told him he missed his window by playing it safe. Ryan and Rima were shown walking off as Matt dejectedly walked off. He said this is all he has. Matt said he's disappointed he wasn't given a chance to show himself.

Austin said Matt has the skills, but he didn't show personality. He said it's put up or shut up. Austin was shown placing Matt's belt on the wall and pounding the mantle to show it was a tough decision.

Next time on Tough Enough: DeMott storms the house to wake everyone up. Big Show visits, then Luke exchanges moves with Austin.

Reax: Very surprising elimination for M-Dogg 20, who has talent, but the show didn't capture it. The first-half of this week's episode was fine, but the second-half was very strong. Austin going off on folks from 8:50 to 8:55 p.m. EST every Monday night will become a weekly staple of Monday night programming. It wasn't exactly "family hour," so it's interesting the producers are allowed to get away with an inordinate amount of cursing in this timeslot.

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