WWE Tough Enough TV Report
June 30, 2015
Week 2 on USA Network
Report by James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

This week's Tough Enough episode started with Chris Jericho and Renee Young inside the Tough Enough studio from Full Sail University in Orlando. Jericho and Renee talked about things getting intense among the contestants. Then, a look at the Tough Enough judges Daniel Bryan, Hulk Hogan, and Paige.

Bryan and Paige ran down the contestants for blending in and not standing out, so they hope to see more from them today. Hogan said he sees it differently that he sees the guys and gals fighting for space and trying to hold on for dear life.

Jericho recapped Hank being eliminated last week before going to some footage from the Tough Enough barracks of the contestants interacting the day after Hank was eliminated. Everyone was in Tough Enough gear trying to push the merchandise. And, the trash talk picked up between the female contestants. They cut to talking heads of everyone wanting to see Dianna go home.

Alex then picked a wrestling discussion fight with Patrick. Alex said he doesn't need to know the history of wrestling in order to be a big star and education is worthless. Patrick said you need to know wrestling history in order to know how to make your own history. Buh-bye, Alex.

- Off to a challenge. They were in the middle of nowhere surrounded by gators. Naturally, Z.Z. felt right at home. Lita said one wrong move could be her last, so she had to know what she was doing. Booker, Billy Gunn, and Lita told the contestants they're going to test their courage with this challenge. A dude was introduced to hype gators hanging out in the water. Z.Z. got a big smile while the other contestants freaked out.

Gunn explained the deal having to swim across the lake to grab a title belt and swim back. Dianna freaked out swimming while seeing a gator looking right at her. And there was Z.Z. in last place enjoying his trip back home being around the gators. Dianna made it to the boat first, showing up the other contestants who wanted to see her go home. Dianna grabbed a title belt and started swimming back while Patrick and Alex from Dallas struggled to swim. Booker tossed a life preserver into the water to help Alex, who was freaking out. A professional then jumped in the water to make the save.

Meanwhile, Dianna was already on the way back to the coaches swimming out of fear of being attacked by an animal. In a talking head, Dianna bragged about being on the high school swim team. And, back to Patrick swimming toward a life preserver. Patrick was blown up. Meanwhile, other contestants kind of floated back toward the base. Z.Z. finally made it back and held up his title belt like a champ. Meanwhile, Josh and Tanner argued about Tanner's finish. A shoving match broke out and nearly ended in the water.

Booker addressed the troops, saying Dianna blew them all out of the water. And, way back at the first stop were Alex and Mada, who were on a rescue boat. Look, there's Sara Lee, who had not been highlighted at all thus far on the show. Gunn then went off on Daria, who lost her NXT Title belt somewhere in the water. Daria said in a talking head that Gunn calling her out was traumatizing. Tears flowed and they cut to break.

[Commercial Break]

The show resumed at the Tough Enough house with the guys talking about the water challenge while playing pool. Tanner continued to jab Josh about how the water challenge ended. Josh wanted to fight, but Tanner had enough and tossed the poolstick on the table and walked off. That came across like Take 5 on the throw down.

Meanwhile, the ladies were shown talking. Specifically Giorgia saying she was shocked to see Daria cry after Gunn chewed her out. Giorgia said she honestly feels a little upset because Dianna took a side entrance at the start of the race. It came across like sour grapes since Dianna beat everyone by a country mile. They decided to knock Dianna off her pedestal.

Off to Dianna, who was shown talking to Gabi trying to organize a frene-mies alliance. Patrick ended the discussion, then Mada was shown face-timing with his wife and little boy.

And off to the training facility, where Roman Reigns was hanging out in the ring. The show cheesily produced Reigns like a super-model. Gabi, the married lady, said she got wet when she saw Reigns in the ring.

Reigns was shown addressing the troops after WWE ran a highlight package on Reigns. Reigns asked the contestants if they're willing to be bodyslammed and tossed around the ring. He then brought in Bull Dempsey from the NXT roster to demonstrate his top-rope finisher. Bull's squashee sold not being able to breathe after taking the splash.

- Back in the Tough Enough studio, Chris Jericho asked the judges for their reaction to the show. D-Bryan said the women were fawning over Roman Reigns and the dudes were stuck in the swamp, so he doesn't know what to make of them.

Paige, meanwhile, was impressed with "Princess" Dianna because she gets the job done. And, Hogan has now soured on the entire crew, saying he smelled fear instead of courage when they were ringside for Reigns's speech.

[Commercial Break]

Back at the studio, Jericho and Renee reacted to the show thus far. And, back to the Performance Center for the coaches telling the contestants how to bump. Alex started okay. More decent bumps. Patrick impressed Booker being able to take a proper bump. Z.Z. lost his breath.

Now for a flat-back bump off a top-rope platform. Lita said it's optional. And, the contestants very slowly climbed to the top of the platform. Gabi was focused on because of her fear of heights. She then fell off the platform nearly breaking her tailbone. Dianna took forever to take the bump, so Z.Z. tried to lighten the moment telling her to fall into her fiancee's arms. She eventually kind of fell down.

Now for the males to take a flat-back bump. Z.Z. looked like he was falling into a giant water bed. Tanner looked like he wanted to do a back-flip, but settled for a bump. Josh "shook the ring," then Booker gave props to Patrick and Giorgia for best male and female bumps.

Gunn said it was a good week, but one of them has to go home. The camera focused on Alex, then other contestants. Gunn said all of them have to put it on the line every week if they want to stay on the show.

[Commercial Break]

Back at the Tough Enough house, the males and females hung out at the dinner table. And, Dianna was in the middle of another argument. This time with Daria. And Dianna and Gabi were back to being frien-enemies. So, Daria and Amanda walked into the ring to set up a tag team argument. More like Gabi bailed and Dianna was in a handicap argument. Meanwhile, the guys eavesdropped behind the door trying to listen in to the conversation.

Later, Dianna tried to hang out with Z.Z. and then switch rooms. She wanted Z.Z. to ruin the girls's room by farting and snoring.

- Back at the studio, Jericho and Renee reacted to the events thus far. WWE then went through the line-up of contestants assembled on the stage. They mixed up the line-up not going completely alphabetical order, sticking Sara Lee at the end of the line after Z.Z.

[Commercial Break]

Back on the show, USA Network ran a hype video for Full Sail University. And back in the studio, Jericho asked the judges to grill the competitors.

Bryan asked Patrick and Alex to come up together. Bryan applauded them for jumping in the water despite not being able to swim. But, Alex, what do you mean when you say knowledge means nothing? Alex said when he was growing up, he hung out with a kid who knew stats and figures, but he was out playing sports. And him working hard is all that matters. In the background, Daria had the "McKayla's Not Impressed" look of disdain. Patrick suddenly changed his tune to saying there's nothing wrong with Alex's position, but he feels like he wants to have a back-up plan and being knowledgable about WWE will help him. But, at least learn about what you're doing.

D-Bryan said he understands their positions. Hogan had enough of the wishy-washy, passive-aggressiveness, saying you need to know who Andre the Giant is, you need to know who Buddy Rogers is, and you need to know what you're passionate about. So, as far as he's concerned, they can step back.

Hogan kept going, calling out Z.Z. He said The Rock eats the best pie around, so what kind of pie does he like? Z.Z. paused to think about it, getting a pop. "Sugar-free," Z.Z. quipped. Bryan asked Z.Z. what he was expecting when he agreed to switch into the girls room. Z.Z. explained his pie analogy that when they're hot, they can burn you, but when they cool down, they're sweet. Everyone applauded Z.Z. making the save.

Hogan then turned to Dianna, wanting to know where she's sleeping now. Dianna said she's in Z.Z.'s warm bed now. Paige gave props to Dianna for this week, then asked for Sara and Amanda to stand forward. She said they're just blending into the background right now. She told them to bring some personality or get off the stage.

Hogan spoke next, asking for Alex and Mada to give an account for themselves. Also, Daria. Hogan got hot at the trio, saying Alex and Mada quit on a challenge and Daria left the title belt on the river floor. He called that the ultimate disrespect. Daria owned her failure, saying that will be her last mistake on this show. Mada tried to explain that he was on the way back to the base when Booker called him out of the water because there was lightning in the area. Of course, the judges didn't want to hear any excuses. Nothing from Alex.

Jericho said it's time to get some results. He asked the judges to make their picks for Bottom 3. Bryan put them over, but picked Alex as his Bottom 3. He said Alex needs to learn about WWE if he wants to be a wrestler. Paige then picked Sara Lee for not showing personality. Hogan picked Dianna, saying she wins challenges, but he can't figure this person out. Hogan said she just doesn't get along with anyone and that doesn't work in their business.

Hogan owned that segment. Finally, someone asserted him or herself on this show.

[Commercial Break]

After App and Twitter votes were tabulated during the break, Tough Enough returned with the Bottom 3 given one last chance to give an account for themselves. (Or "kick out" in TNA Gut Check lingo.) Sara spoke first. She spoke directly into the camera about not being given a chance to stand out on the show because she has been under-spotlighted. She said she loves this business and "Me, Normal Sara Lee" belongs on the show.

Next was Alex, who was first asked who should go home from the girls. He said Dianna should go home. Alex then gave his final plea to stay on the show. He said he showed courage getting in the water and calling his girlfriend after the show to talk about almost drowning.

Finally, Dianna made her case. Dianna, the Torrie Wilson of the group, said Divas exhibit courage, honesty, personality, and respect, which she brings to the table. She said that's why the audience will love her and why she is "best for business."

Jericho heard their final comments, then went to the results. But, first, did the judges want to save any of the Bottom 3 competitors? Nope. So, to the drumroll. And, good-bye Alex, who only got 15 percent of the vote. Sara won with 50 percent, followed by Dianna with 35 percent. Pretty exact percentages. It was clear that Alex was heading home after not endearing himself to wrestling viewers.

Alex hugged Sara and Dianna, then took a deep breath. Jericho said Alex's road ends tonight, but 11 other competitors get to continue their journey next. Jericho hyped Miz, a/k/a Jericho, Jr., hosting Tough Talk next on WWE Network.

OVERALL REAX: The second-half was better than the first-half, but the format still makes the show feel dry and stagnant. WWE is highlighting conflicts and drama, but they're not highlighting why the contestants are future top stars. It seems like the pre-tapes are accentuating weaknesses and not enough strengths to make it clear that "yes, this guy" or "yes, this gal" is a future big name for WWE.

As far as guys vs. girls, right now, the girls are dominating the show since the guys seems to be coasting on Z.Z.'s personality, Patrick's wrestling background, and Tanner's superior skills. They really need Paul Heyman on this show accentuating the guys's strengths and hiding their weaknesses. Otherwise, it's going to be a long season.

***

Tough Enough contestants

- (eliminated 6/30) (1) Alex Frekey - Dallas
(2) Amanda Saccomanno - Yorktown Heights, N.Y.
(3) Daria Berenato - Los Angeles
(4) Dianna Dahlgren - Spokane, Wash.
(5) Gabi Castrovinci - Southington, Conn.
(6) Giorgia Piscina - Brisbane, Australia
- (eliminated 6/23) (7) Hank Avery Jr. - Macon, Ga.
(8) Josh Bredl - Thornton, Colo.
(9) Mada Hamid - Los Angeles
(10) Patrick Clark, Jr. - Washington, D.C.
(11) Sara Lee - Hope, Mich.
(12) Tanner Saraceno - Boiling Springs, S.C.
(13) Zamariah “ZZ” Loupe - Bayou Bluff, La.

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