WWE Tough Enough 3, Episode 9: Group Dynamics

After a few weeks of no real news, all of a sudden Tough Enough is everywhere you turn.

Al Snow and Maven have been feuding with Harvard Chris and D’Lo Brown lately, originating from Chris’ “I’m in WWE, no thanks to you, Al” comments from weeks ago and continuing with him telling Maven that the only reason he won was because the judges felt sorry for his sick mother. Chris and D’Lo are 2-0 against Maven and Al, and I was hoping it would lead to a Pay Per View (PPV) match on Sunday, but that doesn’t look likely. Perhaps a Heat match? Remember, if wrestling history is any indication, Maven will be turning heel on Al any time now.

Speaking of Al, he was interviewed on WWE’s internet show, Byte This!, last Friday. Among the highlights of the show were Al getting pulled over for speeding, and his claim that Jonah’s injury rib was actually the brainchild of Big. Also, he announced that the final cut will be made the night of the finale (scheduled for January 23rd) by the fans, voting through the TE website. It will be interesting to see how this turns out.

Lance Storm has posted a new commentary on his website, stormwrestling.com. He has been keeping track of TE this year since; as I’ve mentioned, he was brought in as one of the guest trainers. He was surprised to see Scott’s cut, as when he appeared on the show, Scott was still around! Apparently, Lance Storm was not Tough Enough and was edited out!

Lance also commented that he thought Jonah’s fake neck injury rib was “disgusting,” that far too many wrestlers have suffered serious injuries for it to be taken so lightly. Now, this is just my opinion here, but from some of the locker room ribs I’ve heard of, this one seems pretty mild. Jonah himself admitted that it was in bad taste, but comparing this to, for example, Dynamite Kid putting speed in Terry Funk’s drink so he didn’t sleep for four days, Lance should probably lighten up a bit.

Vic Stevenson let me know that the 2002 Rec-Sport-Pro-Wrestling Awards have been posted. The RSPW Awards have been the most respected awards in the internet wrestling community since 1990, a pretty good barometer of the overall internet community’s feelings.

Quite a few Tough Enough people made the list this year. I’m not including ALL mentions, since one vote puts you on the list and there are tons of categories. Also, before anyone asks, no I did not vote. For a complete list, go to ftp://ftp.slashwrestling.com/slash/02awards.txt

Jackie Gayda won both Worst Wrestler and Worst Worker. To give you some perspective, Hulk Hogan had a monopoly on these categories throughout the ‘90s. She was also voted to be involved in the two worst matches of the year. More details:

Best Heel: Harvard Chris Nowinski – Tied for 12th (with Lance Storm & Chris Benoit! That’s some company!)

Best Babyface: Maven – Tied for 10th (with Trish Stratus and some guy named “Shocker”)

Best Brawler: Al Snow – 9th.

Most Improved: Maven – tied for 19th (with a LOT of people).

Most Overrated: Maven – tied for 16th, Chris Nowinski – tied for 22nd. Personally, I don’t see how rookies can be considered overrated, unless the people voting believe they shouldn’t be in WWE at all.

Best Gimmick: “Harvard Graduate” Chris Nowinski – 7th. I agree there – I’ve admitted many times I was VERY wrong about this and am currently enjoying his gimmick a lot.

Worst Wrestler: Award should be given to “the worst overall wrestler in the past year. Minimal technical ability, lousy interviews, non-existent workrate, and the charisma of a rock.” Jackie Gayda – 1st. Maven – 16th.

Worst Tag Team: Jackie Gayda and Chris Nowinski – 5th.

Worst Worker: Jackie Gayda – 1st. Linda Miles – 15th.

Worst Gimmick: Jackie Gayda, professional wrestler – tied for last. That’s just MEAN.

Worst Match: Jackie Gayda & Chris Nowinski vs. Trish Stratus & Bradshaw, July 8 (yes, THAT match) – 1st in a runaway. Trish Stratus & Linda Miles vs. Molly Holly & Jackie Gayda, June 24 – 2nd. Jackie was involved in the two worst matches of the year. That’s got to be worth something. And before anyone says anything, Trish Stratus was voted “Most Improved” so I kinda doubt it was her fault.

Most Obnoxious Personality: Chris Nowinski - tied for 8th, with no less than Vince McMahon. That’s got to be considered a good thing.

Best Interviewee: Chris Nowinski – tied for 19th.

Worst Interviewee: Jackie Gayda – 2nd (behind HHH).

Worst Promotional Move: WWE announces Jackie Gayda, Linda Miles TE3 winners – 8th.

And now, finally, the North Malden Icelandic Society presents Tough Enough 3!

Starting off, Big tells us some more about Iceland. Did you know Iceland oozes toughness? Maybe they could get some salve for that. We see the gang on a few excursions – snowmobiling, rappelling, cave exploring. Seems they were pretty busy!

At dinner, Jamie decides to comment on Eric’s escapades. She says it’s his business, but she thinks Eric is a pig. Well, thank you for getting involved in the discussion, Ms. Helper! Jonah says it’s no worse than Jamie kissing “all the guys in the club.” Um… okay, I don’t like Jamie much, but I don’t think kissing guys comes anywhere close to bringing a chick back to the hotel, banging her, then running away and making your friends get rid of her because you can’t face her.