It had to happen. The less-than-real world of reality television is about to merge with the not-so-real sport of professional wrestling. USA Network – already the home of highly-rated “WWE Monday Night Raw” – has ordered another WWE show which will have 12 people compete to become WWE cast members.
Actually, this isn’t really new. “WWE Tough Enough” aired a few years back on MTV. This time, though, it will air on USA adjacent to WWE Monday Night Raw. The debut date is April 4th, immediately following Raw (and a day after WrestleMania XXVII), then move to its regular time slot just ahead of Raw at 8:00 pm ET on April 11th.
“We’re thrilled to tag team with the WWE in bringing Tough Enough back to television,” said Chris McCumber, executive vice president, marketing, digital and brand strategy, USA Network in one of those strange press release joint quotes with Jeff Wachtel, president original programming USA Network & co-head, original content, Universal Cable Productions.
“With the combined promotional muscle of USA Network and WWE, the right time slot and the reality show experience of Shed Media,” said Kevin Dunn, executive vice president, Television Production, WWE.
The diverse group of men and women will live and train together in a house in Los Angeles. To see who has what it takes to be the next WWE Superstar or Diva, the contestants will battle it out each week in a series of unique challenges designed to test for such characteristics as showmanship, creativity, athleticism and desire, just to name a few. Each episode will feature a current “WWE Superstar,” who will introduce the contenders to a quality that they must possess to make it to the top of the sports entertainment world. Along the way, viewers will witness the trials and tribulations of what it takes to be “one of the best in the world’s greatest sports entertainment organization.”
Each episode will conclude with the elimination of one of the hopefuls who is left outside of the ring, while those that remain will move one step closer to their dream. In the final episode, the remaining contestants will battle it out for the grand prize.
Shed Media US, noted for its strong characters and memorable casting in the non-scripted arena, will produce WWE Tough Enough. The company’s previous reality credits include “The Real Housewives of New York City,” “Who Do You Think You Are,” and “World’s Strictest Parents.” Producing for Shed Media US are Alex Demyanenko and Eric Van Wagenen.
