WWE Tough Enough: Updates on Harvard Chris, Jackie, Nidia, and More

Once again, it’s time for more Tough Enough update goodies. But first… regular readers know that I’m not the biggest Vince Russo fan in the world (that would be my friend Saint “Vince Russo is a freaking genius” James). I’ve mentioned him a few times in the past, and always in the negative.

Well, according to the WWE website, Vince Russo is back. Rumor has it that he is a special advisor in the creative team, with no real duties other than to come up with ideas here and there. Ideas like General Hugh G. Rection? Or David “Torgo” Flair’s marriage to Stacey being stopped because she’s carrying Ric Flair’s baby? Or the wrestling boy band, Three Count?

If you didn’t like Tough Enough 2, chances are the WWE is going to get even worse. Let’s just say that if Russo were in charge two months ago, Pete and Jackie would be having “hot tub matches” as we speak. Of course, another one of Vince Russo’s trademarks is pushing new talent (even if said talent is The Wall or Tank Abbott), so we shall see what we shall see.

Speaking of gimmicks, why don’t we update you on our Tough Enough kids?

The most interesting TE news this week was Harvard Chris’ (going by the name Chris Nowinski on Raw, presumably because they couldn’t trademark and thus market the name “Harvard Chris”) debut match. Chris walked to the ring in full preppie attire, accompanied by William Regal, for his match against Spike Dudley.

I found myself wondering if Chris would wrestle in a polo shirt and khakis, but fortunately, he was wearing standard gold wrestling trunks underneath. After a good match, certainly exceeding my expectations anyway, Chris won with a full nelson bomb, thanks to Regal’s distraction.

Hey, I said it last week, I could be VERY wrong about Harvard Chris. He looked MUCH better than he did at the end of the season last year, and seems to have lost the clumsiness that prevented him from winning. His snob character DOES seem to be getting over, and I for one am looking forward to seeing Chris in the WWE for a long time.

Additional positive news, Maven is still on track for his return from a broken leg in a matter of weeks. He will still be wearing a cast for at least two more weeks, and a more definite prognosis will be made at that time.

In less thrilling news, Jackie also appeared on Raw Monday for a thrilling… flirtation with Vince McMahon. Yay. She asked to be included on the Raw program as opposed to Smackdown, because… er, Smackdown has reached the legal limit for useless T&A, I guess.

Vince agreed to grant her request if she would appear in an upcoming lingerie competition. So, Tuesday, June 25 on UPN, you’ll get a good chance to see the ti… oops, sorry, the TALENT that won Jackie her TE2 contract. Make sure to tune in to see her wide range of ass!

Oh, sorry, that should have read “wide range of abilities.” Typo. According to the advertisements, Nidia will also be involved in the UPN special. Isn’t it wonderful that they’re utilizing these female Tough Enough winners so well? God forbid they could have been stuck with a charismatic, skilled wrestler like Kenny, then they wouldn’t have near enough mindless drivel that makes the WWE so mind-numbing.

Anyone still want to try to convince me that Jackie won because of non-silicone based talent?

In any case, Nidia will have a large part in Sunday’s King of the Ring Pay-Per-View as Jamie Knoble’s girlfriend/valet. As mentioned, she was revealed as the Hurricane’s stalker, his former girlfriend come to extract revenge via her new boyfriend. I’m not sure as I care for her character, sort of a white-trash Mallory from Natural Born Killers with a bit of “Li’l Abner” thrown in. However, I remain hopeful that she’ll be an active, useful part of the WWE…

Finally, Anni has her own official website, www.anniking.com.

E-mail Mike at: mikmaria@earthlink.net.

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