WWE Tough Enough report
May 23, 2010
Week 8 - Aired on USA Network
Report by James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

Cast List (age)
Men
-- Andy Leavine (23)
-- Jeremiah Riggs (28)
-- A.J. Kirsch (27)
-- Luke Robinson (26)
-- Matt (M-Dogg 20) - eliminated 4/11 (Week 2)
-- Mickael Zakki (26) - eliminated 4/18 (Week 3)
-- Ryan Howe (23) - eliminated 5/2 (Week 5)
-- Eric Watts (25) - eliminated 5/9 (Week 6)
-- Martin Casaus (26) - eliminated 5/16 (Week 7)
Women
-- Christina Crawford (22)
-- Ariane Andrews - eliminated 4/4 (Week 1)
-- Michelle Deighton (25) - eliminated 4/18 (Week 3)
-- "Miss USA" Rima Fakih (25) - eliminated 4/25 (Week 4)
-- Ivelisse Velez (22) - eliminated 5/9 (Week 6)

Week 8 of WWE Tough Enough started with "Stone Cold" Steve Austin narrating video highlights from last week's episode focused on the Divas interacting with the contestants, A.J. frustrating the trainers, Martin's big injury, and Christina twisting her ankle. Her future's in jeopardy this week...

House: The show started with Trish Stratus meeting the Tough Enough van as Christina returned to the house after a trip to the doctor. Trish and Christina shared some quality time and Christina noted it was just a sprain, but she was still on crutches. Christina hobbled up the steps inside the house, drawing A.J.'s concern since DeMott blamed him for the injury. Nice Guy A.J. apologized to Christina, who accepted it nicely. Cue up the Tough Enough video intro.

Daily Training: DeMott was putting the healthy contestants through their paces while Christina was on the sidelines. Steve Austin walked in to address the four males. He said this week is about charisma. Austin noted Hulk Hogan, The Rock, and "Superstar" Billy Graham come to mind. Austin told them to get to work.

DeMott went through this week's training exercise as clips were shown of the in-ring action and off-camera comments. A.J. screwed up, prompting DeMott to ask if he's going to keep pissing in his Cheerios. Jeremiah had ants in his pants and was going through the exercises too quickly. Andy looked sharp, as did Luke, which DeMott noted. DeMott then brought Luke and Andy to their feet for a group hug.

Coming Up: Tough Enough goes Hollywood with James Roday...then The Rock makes Jeremiah laugh cutting a promo on him.

[Commercial Break. Smackdown plug during Tough Enough? "At Over the Limit, was Christian able to regain the World Title? Find out on Smackdown."]

Hollywood: Life Lesson time. A double-decker sight-seeing bus pulled up with DeMott and James Roday. DeMott told the contestants that WWE Superstars have charisma and someone else who has charisma is James Roday. Roday grabbed DeMott's chest for his intro. He said it's not just about the moves in the ring or their tans, but something you have around the clock. Roday said each contestant will conduct a ten-minute tour of the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

A.J. was the first contestant to give a tour. DeMott and Roday acted bored. Some random tourists looked on puzzled by this. DeMott said the delivery was flat. Next was Luke cracking jokes on DeMott. The tourists no-sold Luke's material. DeMott said Luke was the captain and went down with the ship. Christina sounded right at home sounding like a Valley Girl. She lost the tourists early on. DeMott said she doesn't have people skills.

Andy was next and botched a Random Fact on governors with a star on the Walk of Fame. DeMott said it's as if Andy is not comfortable speaking in front of people. Andy turned his back to the tourists trying to figure out where each of the landmarks were. Next was Jeremiah, who drew the people's attention and sucked them in. DeMott said Jeremiah commanded the tour bus from the minute he got on. DeMott noted Jeremiah has "it." This was definitely Jeremiah's contest.

After everyone had their turn, Roday noted Jeremiah won the challenge creating a memorable tour. Hand-shakes all-around. Coming up: The contestants lock up with The Rock.

[Commercial Break. Next: find out who won at Over the Limit between Cena and Miz.]

Training facility: Back in the gym, Austin walked in to interrupt DeMott's training session. Austin said he has a special treat for the contestants today. Out walked The Rock, drawing a huge smile from Luke. Rock, out-of-character, entered the ring to shake hands with Austin. Cue up a Rock highlight video package. Rock got the contestants in the ring to see what kind of presence they have.

Andy was the first man in and Rock locked up with him. Rock went through some offense in the ring, using Andy as a tackling dummy. A little sneak peek of WrestleMania 28. Jeremiah, with his great way of talking, said Rock's the most badass dude in the whole WWE. The music changed when A.J. entered and locked up. Poor Christina said she wants to play, but she had to sit on the sidelines instead of locking up with Rock.

Rock then addressed the contestants that they're too stiff. He told them to loosen up. For the Skills Challenge, Austin told the contestants they have two minutes to cut a promo on DeMott. Rock said he's sticking around. Austin then sent the contestants out of the room to give each contestant alone time.

- Jeremiah was up first. Jeremiah made a fat joke on DeMott to begin with. DeMott rolled his eyes on Jeremiah's second line. Jeremiah did some rhyming to end his time. The trainers conferred with Rock for an evaluation of Jeremiah.

- Luke was next. He entered that Old Western promo voice. Rock was a bit perpexled at first. Luke sounded like he was trying too hard to be someone else. He got better at the end vowing to hunt down the big, bad lion and pull the trigger on DeMott...this Sunday. He said the last thing left is click, click, boom. Luke slowly left the ring. DeMott had a good chuckle at the Animal Kingdom references. Rock said he liked Luke trying to find his voice going up and down.

- Christina was up third. She said this is make-or-break for her since she's had to sit out all week. Christina got serious and told Bill it's just the two of them. She dropped the Valley Girl gimmick and sucked in DeMott, but she didn't finish strong. Rock said she was a bit timid and nervous and didn't quite bring it. They cut to break before Andy and A.J.'s promo.

[Commercial Break]

- Back from break, Andy was fourth. Andy paced the ring and said they ain't having a match. He said he's young and strong, while Bill's old and washed up. Andy said it's about perseverance and breaking bones. Andy upped his intensity for a second, then told Bill they ain't ever having a match. He said Bill's only claim to fame will be like the other four contestants - they all lost to him. Bill said he didn't stand out. Rock said there was a moment there, but it went back to the same.

- A.J. was last. Bill was already rolling his eyes. A.J. made Bill crack up. He said Bill has done something no one else has done his entire career: doubt himself. A.J. said the ha-ha doesn't bother him, but Bill labeling the pursuit of a dream a mockery. A.J. raised his intensity and said that's when Bill started crapping in his oatmeal. A.J. told Bill he came to make a believer out of him...and out of them (pointed to the imaginary people). Where do I spend the $45? They showed Bill just standing straight ahead. "That was f'n good," he said. Bill was stunned. Austin said he hit a triple after he struck out many, many times.

All of the contestants re-entered and Rock entered Rock mode to cut a promo on all five of them. Rock told Luke he'll knock his Tom Cruise teeth right down his mouth. Rock went after Luke's gap teeth. Next, Rock paused to size up A.J. He told him he ran his mouth to Bill DeMott. That being said...he exited character and said he did great. Rock knocked fists with A.J. for the ultimate honor.

Austin thanked Rock for being on the show today, then noted he, Trish, and DeMott will conference in his office. A.J. might have just saved himself this week after that promo. Or, it could be too little, too late.

[Commercial Break]

Facility: Back at the gym, Austin talked to DeMott and Trish about the contestants. Trish said she was ready to give up on A.J., but then he brought that promo. They talked about Christina being in-trouble with the leg injury. Trish said the promo seemed quiet and timid. DeMott said he felt she was horrendous. Next, Luke. DeMott said Luke's swagger is coming back. How about ol' Jeremiah? DeMott said Jeremiah owned the tour bus He said the flip-side is he's still struggling with the in-ring. Austin said he's a nightmare waiting to happen. As for Andy, DeMott said he's sold on a THQ character, but not a WWE Superstar. Trish said it doesn't appear to be there. Austin said he needs to step up or get the eff out of the way.

Cue up the ominous music as Austin exited his office to address the five remaining contestants. Christina was called forward first. Next, A.J. Third, Andy. Luke and Jeremiah remain safe for another week. He told them to head back to the house.

Back at the house, Luke and Jeremiah hugged it out silently while the other three lamented their bad luck. Andy said he thinks it's b.s. he said he's pissed and angry. Andy chucked his suitcase down the staircase and vowed to cut a promo on Austin.

[Commercial Break]

Raw cut-in from Portland: Josh Mathews and Jerry Lawler plugged the fall-out from Over the Limit on Raw tonight. Who said I Quit - Miz or Cena?

Back to the Tough Enough facility, where A.J., Andy, and Christina walked into the ring. Austin strolled out in a Tiger Woods red polo to size up the contestants. Andy was eyeballing Austin, which immediately drew Andy's attention. Austin sarcastically thanked Andy for dressing up. He wanted to hear a story. Andy said he's hard-working. Austin said he doesn't see it. Austin said he's been bamboozled. Are you a slacker? Austin mocked Andy's hard-nosed talking, then quizzed him on his family. Andy was ready to snap. Austin just kept pressing.

Andy fought back tears before Austin cut the tension by walking over to Christina. He said he's not a doctor, but that ankle looks pretty screwed up. Austin flashed a great smile when she said pain is temporary. Austin sized up Christina, asking why her promo was the worst when she actually got a break being able to prove herself talking. He said she had a chance to shine with The Rock here and she missed an opportunity. Christina didn't know why she missed it. Austin, frustrated, said he doesn't think she wants it.

Austin walked over to A.J., who said he believes in what he's doing and the audience will, too. Andy talked out the side of his mouth toward A.J., showing his Silent Rage character. Andy kept talking, Austin egged him on, and Austin began singing Silent Night to the tune of Silent Rage. That was great. Austin returned to A.J. and said he was ready to give him the boot, then he cut the best promo out of all of them. He said it's one day, though.

Austin returned to Christina, then asked Andy if he should send her home. Andy said Austin has the wrong three people in the Bottom Three. Austin was taken aback, then cut a promo on Andy trying to play politics. Austin told Andy to get hungry. Is he going to be passive and let people run him over his whole life? Andy, fighting back tears, threw Christina under the bus trying to save himself.

Austin then sized them all up and said he decided two of them are going home tonight. So, that would mean the good news is one of them survives another week. Austin rubbed his hands together, looked them up and down, walked over to Christina, asked her if she has any passion in her heart, and said he doesn't feel it. Austin asked for her title belt and Christina reluctantly handed it over. Christina said she thinks it's a mistake. Austin said he doesn't make mistakes.

So, it's Andy vs. A.J. Austin looked them over and asked Andy if he's given everything so far. Austin mockingly said he can't hear him. Andy showed rage while fighting tears, then told him he gets another shot because A.J. is going home. Austin took the belt from A.J. as Andy hugged Christina. A.J. talked in his exit interview about having some rough days, but this isn't the end for him. Christina said she just feels this wasn't a good week for her.

Back in the office, Austin put the two belts on his Wall of Shame. Austin said Christina needs to come out of her shell. He said it was time for A.J. to ride into the sunset. He said it was just his time.

ELIMINATED: A.J. and Christina. Final Three: Andy, Luke, and Jeremiah.

Next Week: The Miz guest-stars and gives the final three the VIP treatment. The contestants have one last shot. Jeremiah has a new ugly haircut. Aah!

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