WWE Tough Enough TV Report
August 18, 2015
Week 9 on USA Network
Report by James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

Tough Enough opened with a recap of last week's show when Giorgia was eliminated from the show. A video package on Giorgia's run on the show followed. Tonight, five remain.

Live at Full Sail University, Chris Jericho and Renee Young were standing by with the five remaining contestants and three judges - Daniel Bryan, Paige, and The Miz. Bryan spoke first that the suspense is building. Paige said both of the girls are safe tonight, so the audience is going to decide which of the three male contestants will go home tonight.

Jericho then introduced pre-taped footage of what happened last week after Giorgia was eliminated. Amanda approached Sara Lee to talk about how empty the house feels right now. Amanda immediately entered into back-handed compliment mode saying it's cool how the audience keeps Sara around, implying Sara isn't doing enough to keep herself in the competition. Sara's smile turned into a nervous laugh seeing where Amanda was going with this. Amanda asked Sara if she feels guilty about still being on the show. In a talking head, Amanda said she's trying to get in Sara's head. She saluted Sara anyways.

To the next morning, the males of Tanner, Z.Z., and Josh were shown discussing the Last Three. Tanner said he's tired of Z.Z.'s laziness as Z.Z. sat quietly on the couch. Z.Z. and Tanner engaged in a discussion about why he's still here on the show. Z.Z. sounded drunk or really tired. The females then walked in to lead them off to the Performance Center. They were instructed on putting the ring together for an NXT show. Coach Billy Gunn said they finally found something Z.Z. is good at. Tanner said it took about three hours to get the ring put together.

Coach Lita then addressed the contestants on needing to come up with a great finisher. Gunn said they will come up with a finisher that suits their characters. Sara said this is how she will be remembered. The coaches dressed down Sara, with Lita telling her to bring it. They decided that Sara should borrow from Ronda Rousey to find her finishing move. Sara practiced a take down into an armbar. She said she hopes to apply that on Amanda soon.

Next was Tanner for his coaching session into finding a finisher. Tanner said he wants to fly, especially to separate himself from Z.Z. and Josh. Tanner came off the top looking great, but he had no facial expression. And again he failed to express himself. Gunn asked for something, anything. Booker wanted tears. Instead he went into crazy mode. He then tried yelling before he came off the top. He then delivered a cross-body to a student, looking good, but without any facials. In a talking head, Tanner went deep that he suppressed emotion throughout his life. Now that might get him sent home. They cut to break before showing the other three in action.

[Commercial Break. Uso and Naomi have a Dominos commercial.]

Back at the training session, Coach Gunn told Josh that he's starting to enter superstar mode. Josh said h wants to do a powerbomb as his finisher. The coaches were a little nervous about this for safety reasons. So, Plan B. Gunn had an idea for a running powerslam. Josh threw in his Yeti call and put together a combination leading to the powerslam.

Next was Amanda, who wanted to do something flashy to try to overcome Sara. Amanda went for a running corner bulldog. The coaches liked it.

And, last, Z.Z., wearing short shorts. Gunn quizzed Z.Z. on what he's done to improve. He didn't like Z.Z.'s answer, so he told him to snap and get it in the ring. Booker wanted Z.Z. to become a WWE Superstar and not a joke. Z.Z. came up with the Gator Grip submission finisher. Z.Z. had trouble with his facials hooking his opponent's jaw. Z.Z. set it up with a flapjack, then slapped on the gator hook.

The coaches addressed the five contestants on what they need to do to get better to wrap up the session.

Back at Full Sail, Bryan said he liked the contestants coming to the challenge with good ideas for their finishers. Paige ran down Sara, so Bryan tried to talk her up. Jericho said the show continues next.

[Commercial Break]

Back on the show, they went to the Tough Enough house for the finalists talking about their finishers. Sara said she's trying to think of her finishing name. Z.Z. spoke up that he is what this business is about other than the cardio. Josh, Amanda, and Tanner were stunned. Sara said she smiles too much, while Tanner said he doesn't have expressions. They all kind of looked at each other, missing a dynamic personality.

Amanda then walked into Z.Z.'s room to discuss the final five. She tried to give a sales pitch on why she should beat Sara next week. Z.Z. had love in his eyes and picked up Amanda to haul her back out to the living room. Josh and Tanner then had one of their awkward conversations. Josh said he's going to end up in wrestling no matter what happens. Tanner said he doesn't want to go back to real-life and loves what he's doing in this training.

Back at Full Sail, Jericho said they are going to find out who the quickest thinker is next.

[Commercial Break]

Back from break, Jericho was standing next to the judges, who were instructed to grill each of the contestants.

- Z.Z.: Miz asked if he's using his college minor in psychology to manipulate the fans. Z.Z. was like what? Asked what he'll do with $250,000 if he wins, Z.Z. said he's going to move down here to train to give it back to his fans. The judges tried to grill Z.Z. on whether he lied to the other contestants about whether the coaches think he is the total package.

- Sara Lee: Jericho jumped in wanting to know her opinion on the political climate in China. Sara laughed off the question and said neutral. Paige took her usual shots at Sara, then Miz asked why she has a nose ring. Sara said she likes it and she knows it makes Miz mad.

- Tanner: Tanner was asked about his facial expressions. He said he plans to take acting lessons to help himself develop. He also shared a story on how his older brother bullied him on the slide.

- Amanda: Amanda talked about growing up with three brothers. Asked why she's better-suited to be a Diva than Sara Lee, she said she has the it factor, has improved, and is the total package. Amanda ran down Sara again, trying to act like Sara isn't who she portrays, drawing an annoyed look from Sara down the stage.

- Josh: Jericho asked Josh about being a father. He talked about being a good father for her daughter. Miz continued his conspiracy theory approach wondering if he was sandbagging early on. Paige asked if he would let Z.Z. babysit his daughter. "Absolutely not," he said.

[Commercial Break]

Time for Josh, Tanner, and Z.Z. to face the music in the Bottom Three. First up was Z.Z. talking about doing everything from the heart. He said he wants to bring happiness to people on a global scale. Tanner spoke next about being a fighter his entire life. He said he can out-work anyone in the business. Josh spoke last. First, he pulled out a lollipop to be his mic prop for a random promo. What in the world? Josh finished by giving the lollipop to Paige, stealing Joey Ryan's gimmick.

Renee plugged the voting for the Bottom 3, with the results coming up next.

[Commercial Break]

Back on Tough Enough, Josh, Tanner, and Z.Z. smiled for the camera as Renee built to the Final Five voting. First up, Amanda and Sara were asked who should go home. Sara picked Tanner because Josh and Z.Z. bring more to the table. Amanda also picked Tanner.

Jericho walked back to the ring to ask D-Bryan if he wanted to use his save, which he's saved all season. Bryan looked up and down the contestants, thought about it, and said he trusts the audience to make the right pick. No save from Bryan.

And the voting results revealed ..... Tanner going home with only 20 percent of the vote. Interestingly, Josh grabbed 46 percent to top Z.Z.'s 34 percent. Apparently there are a lot of Joey Ryan fans watching.

Renee approached Tanner for a final interview. Tanner said he might not have shown enough on-camera for the audience to connect with him, and he thinks he could learn that with classes going forward. Tanner said he has a great personality, it just didn't come through. Asked who should win from the males, Tanner picked Josh since he has the drive and Z.Z. is lazy. He said he plans to continue pursuing WWE since there's a wrestling gym near his home.

So, the Final Four are Sara and Amanda for the females and Josh and Z.Z. for the males. Jericho plugged the season finale next week to determine which two contestants win $250,000. Jericho said they will have their first-ever live wrestling match next week. He said they will use the next week to plan their entrance, gear, match format, and all of the match elements. Jericho signed off while the Final Four applauded and posed on the stage.

Final Four Tough Enough contestants

Males
- Josh Bredl - Thornton, Colo.
- Zamariah “ZZ” Loupe - Bayou Bluff, La.

Females
- Amanda Saccomanno - Yorktown Heights, N.Y.
- Sara Lee - Hope, Mich.

***
- (eliminated 6/23) Hank Avery Jr. - Macon, Ga.
- (eliminated 6/30): Alex Frekey - Dallas
- (self-eliminated 7/7 show) Dianna Dahlgren - Spokane, Wash.
- (eliminated (7/7) Daria Berenato - Los Angeles/New Jersey
- eliminated (7/14) Gabi Castrovinci - Southington, Conn. (by way of Brazil)
- eliminated (7/21) Patrick Clark, Jr. - Washington, D.C.
- eliminated (7/28) Mada Hamid - Los Angeles
- eliminated (8/4) Chelsea Green - Victoria, B.C., Canada
- eliminated (8/11) Giorgia Piscina - Brisbane, Australia
- eliminated (8/18) Tanner Saraceno - Boiling Springs, S.C.

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