WWE Tough Enough 3, Episode 3: A Classic Episode

First off, I’d like to thank everyone for the fantastic feedback the last two weeks. I’ve been really bad about responding to email, so if you sent me an email and I haven’t replied, I’d like to sincerely apologize.

Regular writer Vic Stevenson does a great deal of my work for me this week, sending me a number of news updates:

Maven made an appearance on Canada’s “Off the Record,” which is somewhat like Politically Incorrect. Nothing much of note from the appearance, since it’s more of a debate than anything. At the end of the show, Maven did mention that he hopes to be back on the road in a few weeks. No definite news yet, though.

The show’s official webpage (www.tsn.ca/shows/otr/) has posted interviews with Maven and Voula. You have to register to see the interviews. Vic did, and sent me the highlights:

Maven still has a girlfriend, and ignores the ring rats. Most of the hazing he’s encountered has been limited to padlocking his bag to various items. And he’s a fan of Virginia Tech. There’s more, but them’s the highlights.

Voula had more to say. She didn’t think they showed how hard the training was. She almost quit after the head bump, but felt she had to stay. She’s been a fan for years, watching wrestling with her parents, but feels she’s too old to make another run for it since she was the oldest one there. I’d stick my neck out and say that’s probably a big reason she didn’t make it. She also thinks a couple of the girls weren’t fit enough to deserve their spot. I’d agree with that. Finally, she wants to work behind the scenes with WWE in the future.

In related Voula news, a friend of hers has posted some pics that she included in her package to WWE. I didn’t think she was very good looking from the show itself, but I stand corrected now. You can see the pics and send feedback Voula’s way at http://www.knowyournews.com/voula.html.

Finally, Vic sends news of TE1’s Greg, appearing in GLOOW’s “Hovember to Remember” on November 16 in Philly. Greg takes on “G.I. Ho” in the Undisputed Women’s World Title Match. Just when you think they couldn’t go lower than “Hugh G. Rection,” here you go. I’m not going to dignify this with a link, but it should be easy enough for you to figure out their webpage if you’re interested. At least we know that Jackie has a place to wrestle after her WWE career is over…

MAJOR thanks to Vic. You are the man.

Another regular reader (who has asked that I not say their name in the past, so I’m not doing it now) sent me a link to a pretty interesting Nidia article at http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,3-2002491833,00.html.

Okay, on to this week’s episode, which looks to be centered on Lisa’s “problem,” which we discussed with Big before the season started. The only problem is, I thought her problem came much later in the show. We shall see.

Lisa is amazed, she can’t believe it. It’s like she’s living in a dream. More foreshadowing, kids!

Meanwhile, Scott continues to offend people, especially Jamie. Scott claims to the camera that him seeing her naked means that there’s some sort of connection between them. For Scott’s sake, I hope this is more convenient editing and he’s not REALLY this obtuse.

Scott gets moved into Jill’s former bed in Jonah and Eric’s room. Scott asks Jonah for help hanging his clothes, and Jonah just shakes his head. As do we all.

The next day, Al points out that you live and die by your word in this business. If you make a bet, you better not try to back out of it. Keep this in mind for later.

Matt mentions that he made a bet with Jonah, if Matt beats Jonah in the mile run, Jonah has to do his impression of Bill. If Jonah wins, Matt has to shave his head. Just by looks, I don’t think Matt has anything to worry about. Bill makes them shake on it, and advises Jonah strongly that this is a bet he should win.

Matt toys with Jonah for a bit, with Jonah actually thinking he has it won. Matt is close behind, however, and blows by him on the second lap. Bill stalks up to Jonah afterward and tells him since he made a bet and lost, it’s time to pay up. Jonah is, shall we say, not pleased in the least.

They start by showing some of Bill’s mannerisms in the ring when he’s not pleased with the trainees. We then cut to Jonah, in a do-rag, doing the same moves. I almost didn’t realize it was Jonah at first, he did it so well. Bill gives us voice-over describing it, saying that Jonah was pale white the whole time because Bill was staring holes through him.

Afterward, Bill stomps up to Jonah. Again I will transcribe, “That was funny shit. That was good stuff.” “Swear to God?” “Swear to God.” Al is about to break a rib from laughing. “That was good stuff. Don’t ever do that again.” “All right. I won’t.”

See, now THIS is why we love Tough Enough. Not hot tubs or cat fights or vacations. Even though this isn’t focusing on their training, it’s directly related. It’s nice to see that Big is listening to us.

Speaking of training, let’s see some more! The kids are learning, and Matt comments that what they’re doing is actually starting to resemble wrestling – one thing leading right into another.

Al says that in the last two weeks, Scott has come a long way. What? Wait… two WEEKS? Wow, they condensed quite a bit there. Again, even though they’ve squeezed two weeks into one and a half episodes, it still shows quite a bit of their training and how they’re going from zero to wrestler, not just “they’re having trouble getting it, but now, here they are working a match!”

From Scott growing into his talent, we see Lisa having a lot of trouble. Al says that, while she’s obviously an athlete, she’s much too “tight.” Lisa thinks she has to step back out of her own head before she self-destructs. Al, on the other hand, thinks that if Lisa doesn’t start picking this up, she will be cut.

Meanwhile, Jamie is learning that the moves they’re learning are building off each other. Not to pound the point into the ground, but I really love this. We see a few clips illustrating Jamie’s point.