I have a feeling this show won't be a complete joke as other "reality" shows have tended to be..I was afraid it'd make the "process" of becoming a wrestler a complete joke and a walk in the park. But it appears the road these guys take will be at the very least captured in a miniscule moment of quintessence. I'm looking forward to this, not only for entertainment value, but to see others change their view on wrestlers, and may actually..I don't know, have just a *little* respect for them.
And please, don't go bashing this show until you've seen at least an episode or two with an open mind..
The following is ripped from 1wrestling.com (which has lots of evil pop-ups)
MTV and the WWF held a media conference call today to promote Tough Enough. Involved with the call were Tazz, Al Snow, Executive Producer for MTV Productions Ken Mok and John Gaburick, Producer for WWFE Inc.
Here are the highlights from the call:
- The show will debut on MTV on Thursday, June 21st, right after Smackdown.
[/b]- Tazz said his first priority with Tough Enough was to not make it easy for anyone, because he knew he would have to answer to his peers if he was soft on the contestants. Was mad when he heard of the concept for the show, since he believes in working hard to get into the WWF. He was happy for the opportunity though, and thinks it is a great show. Said over time, he realized that the contestants were serious and trying hard.[/b]
- Tazz was in disbelief at how unprepared how some of the contestants were. He talked about how many independent wrestlers would love to have the chance to wrestle in the WWF, but some of the people who came in for try-outs were jokes.
- Al Snow knew there would be slackers, but was ready for it, since he is used to people who disrespect the business. Felt people would learn how real the business is when they see the show.
- John Gaburick (WWF) said it's not Boot Camp (which Tazz says sucked), and it's not Survivor either. This is not about degrading and backstabbing for a buck. It is a chance to see behind the curtain as these kids follow their dream.
- Ken Mok (MTV) said the show was an eye opener for him. He talked about what incredible athletes wrestlers are, and how demanding the business is, both in physical and personal sacrifice. Originally they were planning to cut one cast member a week, but after one week, cast members were dropping out on their own. Several were injured, or just couldn't handle the training.
- They feel they will have strong viewership, but would not commit to a number they would like to see in the ratings.
- Tazz said that whoever gets the contract will have to face a tough locker room. He thinks that they will do well, since they are respectful of the business. John said the winners will be on WWF programming.
- The 230 contestants for the try out were culled from the videotapes that were sent in. They had to trim down the dreamers and wannabes.
- Tazz said they had to condense the training, and said its impossible to be ready in 13 weeks to wrestle. He said you never stop learning. Tazz said the experience did not change him. Al Snow said it was a highpoint for him in his career, and that he took a lot of memories away from it.
- Tazz thinks they got a batch of really good kids for the show, but the people at the tryouts were horrible. They pointed out how disrespectful some of the try outs were, in the way they presented themselves and their attitudes towards wrestling.
- MTV's veteran reality show crew filmed the series. The winners will receive a developmental contract, and they again stressed that they will be on WWF programming, Raw, Smackdown, etc.. Al pointed out how many people would give their left arm to have this deal.
- The finalists will stay in physical training, and will be trained further for the ring before making their live show debut with the WWF.
- Unseen footage will be released in the future on video.
- Al hopes to be back on WWF TV soon.
- MTV had no influence on the training of the wrestlers. Tazz, Al, Tori and Jackie were able to do things their way.
- Tazz said that he was really bitter over the opportunity the contestants got, while others are struggling for a break. Said they proved themselves to be good, quality young athletes. He didn't want it to be easy for them, and said he was forcing himself not to like them at first. The bitterness lasted a few weeks for him. Al said he had no bitterness because anyone else in that position would take the opportunity. He knew he was going to make sure it was not easy on them, so he had no animosity towards them. Who really wanted it would make it.
- Ringwork was harder to teach them than respect for the ring. Teaching them to be physical without killing each other was what they were trying to bring across.
- Some of the other WWF stars that met the contestants, even those that had a chip on their shoulders, left knowing that these kids were learning what it was about.
- Al said they were trying to give them a foundation to build on, since it will take much longer to really learn their craft.
- MTV would like to have a sequel, but they will wait and see if it is successful first.
- Tazz said he was looking for young people at the auditions because he wanted them to have a future if they won. Pointed out that Kurt Angle is a freak in this business, and most take a few years to get a feel for the ring. They weren't discriminating against someone who was older, but they really needed something to make them standout to make it.
- WWF looks at tapes people send in, but will not look at backyard tapes.
- Final winners will be selected on a live episode.
- Talked about how the contestants living and training together will breed contempt as people learn about each other and get on each others nerves. Tazz is looking forward to seeing the interaction in the house, since he only saw them in training.
- Ken put over what a great experience it was working with the WWF crew.
And please, don't go bashing this show until you've seen at least an episode or two with an open mind..
The following is ripped from 1wrestling.com (which has lots of evil pop-ups)
MTV and the WWF held a media conference call today to promote Tough Enough. Involved with the call were Tazz, Al Snow, Executive Producer for MTV Productions Ken Mok and John Gaburick, Producer for WWFE Inc.
Here are the highlights from the call:
- The show will debut on MTV on Thursday, June 21st, right after Smackdown.
[/b]- Tazz said his first priority with Tough Enough was to not make it easy for anyone, because he knew he would have to answer to his peers if he was soft on the contestants. Was mad when he heard of the concept for the show, since he believes in working hard to get into the WWF. He was happy for the opportunity though, and thinks it is a great show. Said over time, he realized that the contestants were serious and trying hard.[/b]
- Tazz was in disbelief at how unprepared how some of the contestants were. He talked about how many independent wrestlers would love to have the chance to wrestle in the WWF, but some of the people who came in for try-outs were jokes.
- Al Snow knew there would be slackers, but was ready for it, since he is used to people who disrespect the business. Felt people would learn how real the business is when they see the show.
- John Gaburick (WWF) said it's not Boot Camp (which Tazz says sucked), and it's not Survivor either. This is not about degrading and backstabbing for a buck. It is a chance to see behind the curtain as these kids follow their dream.
- Ken Mok (MTV) said the show was an eye opener for him. He talked about what incredible athletes wrestlers are, and how demanding the business is, both in physical and personal sacrifice. Originally they were planning to cut one cast member a week, but after one week, cast members were dropping out on their own. Several were injured, or just couldn't handle the training.
- They feel they will have strong viewership, but would not commit to a number they would like to see in the ratings.
- Tazz said that whoever gets the contract will have to face a tough locker room. He thinks that they will do well, since they are respectful of the business. John said the winners will be on WWF programming.
- The 230 contestants for the try out were culled from the videotapes that were sent in. They had to trim down the dreamers and wannabes.
- Tazz said they had to condense the training, and said its impossible to be ready in 13 weeks to wrestle. He said you never stop learning. Tazz said the experience did not change him. Al Snow said it was a highpoint for him in his career, and that he took a lot of memories away from it.
- Tazz thinks they got a batch of really good kids for the show, but the people at the tryouts were horrible. They pointed out how disrespectful some of the try outs were, in the way they presented themselves and their attitudes towards wrestling.
- MTV's veteran reality show crew filmed the series. The winners will receive a developmental contract, and they again stressed that they will be on WWF programming, Raw, Smackdown, etc.. Al pointed out how many people would give their left arm to have this deal.
- The finalists will stay in physical training, and will be trained further for the ring before making their live show debut with the WWF.
- Unseen footage will be released in the future on video.
- Al hopes to be back on WWF TV soon.
- MTV had no influence on the training of the wrestlers. Tazz, Al, Tori and Jackie were able to do things their way.
- Tazz said that he was really bitter over the opportunity the contestants got, while others are struggling for a break. Said they proved themselves to be good, quality young athletes. He didn't want it to be easy for them, and said he was forcing himself not to like them at first. The bitterness lasted a few weeks for him. Al said he had no bitterness because anyone else in that position would take the opportunity. He knew he was going to make sure it was not easy on them, so he had no animosity towards them. Who really wanted it would make it.
- Ringwork was harder to teach them than respect for the ring. Teaching them to be physical without killing each other was what they were trying to bring across.
- Some of the other WWF stars that met the contestants, even those that had a chip on their shoulders, left knowing that these kids were learning what it was about.
- Al said they were trying to give them a foundation to build on, since it will take much longer to really learn their craft.
- MTV would like to have a sequel, but they will wait and see if it is successful first.
- Tazz said he was looking for young people at the auditions because he wanted them to have a future if they won. Pointed out that Kurt Angle is a freak in this business, and most take a few years to get a feel for the ring. They weren't discriminating against someone who was older, but they really needed something to make them standout to make it.
- WWF looks at tapes people send in, but will not look at backyard tapes.
- Final winners will be selected on a live episode.
- Talked about how the contestants living and training together will breed contempt as people learn about each other and get on each others nerves. Tazz is looking forward to seeing the interaction in the house, since he only saw them in training.
- Ken put over what a great experience it was working with the WWF crew.
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