USA has officially revealed the cast of WWE Tough Enough, and guys, it’s…kind of great? Much like the WWE Network live podcast, Chris Jericho will take over hosting duties from Steve Austin. The panel of experts will consist of Paige, Hulk Hogan, and Daniel Bryan surrounded by plush down alternative-filled pillows.
From the USA press release:
Throughout the competition, the contestants will be trained by WWE Legends Booker T™, Billy Gunn™ and Lita™. Contestants will also come face-to-face with WWE icons including WWE Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Vince McMahon; Executive Vice President, Talent, Live Events & Creative, Paul “Triple H®” Levesque; Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon; and WWE Superstar John Cena®, among others.
“These athletes, each with varying skill sets, will be put through a grueling boot camp that will test their physical, mental and emotional limits in a way that the series hasn’t done before,” said Jessica Sebastian, Vice President of Unscripted Series, USA Network. “Each week, their training and experience culminates in a spectacular live event where they will be put in front of their WWE heroes and an audience of fans. In this re-imagined version of WWE TOUGH ENOUGH only the best will survive.”
No, you aren’t the only one surprised that Vince McMahon doesn’t also have a trademark symbol after his name.
WWE TOUGH ENOUGH will emanate live from both the state-of-the-art WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Fla., home to WWE’s developmental division NXT, and the innovative professional production studios at Full Sail University located in Winter Park, Fla. This launch will mark the inaugural use of the University’s latest high-caliber, on-campus production facility. In 2012, WWE and Full Sail announced an innovative partnership, which created a student scholarship fund, and also allows students of the university’s entertainment-focused degree programs, including Film, Show Production, Digital Arts and Design, Internet Marketing and Entertainment Business, to gain real-world experience alongside WWE’s professional production staff during WWE NXT tapings. The high-octane reality series premieres LIVE Tuesday, June 23 at 8pm ET/5pm PT
It should be noted that the only contestant from the previous competition to still have a job with WWE is Cameron, who gave us this magical moment in time. Daniel Bryan’s presence already makes the show about a billion times more watchable, and filming at Full Sail, and without the weird, butt-hole attitude of Bill DeMott lingering over everyone, this news actually has me interested in it.
That said, seeing Hulk Hogan interact with former TNA Gut Check reject (back then he was BFF with Robbie E) and unintentionally hilarious New York shindie wrestler The Big O might make my entire life:
Yeah, you know you wanna see him be forced to explain where his O-Zone is to a skeptical Stephanie McMahon.
