Survivor series: Maven and other contestants from "Tough Enough" have invaded WWE, providing fresh fodder for the federation

THE CLARION CALL OF MANY sports-entertainer wannabes across the country was "I want to be a professional wrestler" when the MTV reality show "Tough Enough" held its inaugural tryouts in early 2001. Even as the hopeful grapplers plodded around the ring and cut less than spectacular promos, it was apparent a few diamonds in the rough were there waiting to be mined by the brain trust in Samford.

When the first edition of "Tough Enough" ended, two champions were crowned. Maven Huffman was named the male winner and Nidia Guenard captured the women's trophy. The idea was that these two would go on to a rigorous, long-term mentorship period in a WWE development territory.

As usual in the world of professional wrestling, things did not go as planned. Maven made his WWE debut not long after his "Tough Enough" victory, and Nidia was close behind him. Rejectees Chris Nowinski and Josh Matthews also quickly found their own piece of WWE fame.

The first "Tough Enough" was a highly rated success and the standard from which all sequels have been based. The rigors of being a WWE wrestler were revealed in graphic detail for the first time to a mainstream TV audience. While WWE wrestlers make it look so easy, here was professional wrestling portrayed not as glitz and glamour with limousines, pyrotechnics, and entrance music, but at its very core: individuals putting their bodies on the line for little or no remuneration or fame.

Those "Tough Enough" pioneers who have yet to appear in WWE have made periodic appearances on the independent circuit, using their 15 minutes of fame a payoff. But four out of the class of 13 have made their own individual impacts on the federation where they dreamed of being called superstar.

Reveling in the Spotlight

MAVEN

The standard-bearer for "Tough Enough" to date, from his humble surroundings and competing against bigger individuals, Maven emerged as champion. A combination of burgeoning talent and die-hard dedication contributed to a victory that many called unlikely. Aches, pains, and a sick mother were hurdles in Maven's progress, but he overcame them, determined to win.

Following his coronation on the final "Tough Enough" episode, many felt that Maven needed to cut his teeth on a smaller scale, but WWE was persistent in featuring their initial "Tough Enough" title-holder on television. In the perennial underdog role, Maven shined. He was even bestowed with an honor that, in all reality, has been given to perhaps hundreds of WWE superstars---the hardcore title. Still, he escaped with the title week after week.

He appeared on pay-per-views and even stood in the ring alone at the Royal Rumble after eliminating the Undertaker. Following that stunning "upset," Maven faced the dream of every athlete who has ever laced up their boots when he met WWE undisputed champion Chris Jericho for the title. In addition, he accomplished another career goal by appearing at Wrestlemania X-8, defending the hardcore title against Goldust.

Soon after that appearance, Maven suffered a setback. He broke his leg at a television taping and was on the mend until he finally made his return to "Raw" in November, confronting "Tough Enough" runner-up Christopher Nowinski.

CHRISTOPHER NOWINSKI

Even though he failed to capture the "Tough Enough" title, Nowinski captured the wrath of the fans. He played the heel role to perfection during "Tough Enough" episodes. Where Maven was humble and diligent, Nowinski was a cocky know-it-all with prior experience on the indy circuit. He resisted learning the WWE way of sports entertainment and it showed in his performance and his instructors' frustrations. In the end, the kinder and gentler Maven won out over Nowinski.

The runner-up then suddenly debuted in the federation and without so much as one appearance in a developmental territory. WWE is known as a star-making machine and management obviously saw something in Nowinski that their own instructors did not.

Nowinski was now a cocky Harvard graduate, playing off his true-life college accomplishments. Where Maven lacked a gimmick, Nowinski had a great persona. He gained a necessary rub by associating himself with William Regal. Nowinski served in an understudy role to the British aristocrat, doing Regal's bidding. The two snobs worked well together.

While still green around the edges, Nowinski shows potential week after week as a superstar on "Raw." He recently crossed paths with his former instructor, Al Snow. While Snow seemed to disapprove of his former charge's antics, he was still seemingly helping him rack up victory after victory. All that was just a setup as Nowinski vanquished Snow, setting himself up for the return of Maven as the two "Tough Enough" classmates got ready to meet in battle.

NIDIA GUENARD

Many pegged Paulina, a Chyna-like potential WWE Diva, as the inevitable winner of the female division of "Tough Enough." Taylor, an athletic beauty, was also an early favorite. Nidia, on the other hand, was not statuesque and did not have that certain look that federation femme fatales possess.

Her dedication, though, overcame any physical shortcomings, and she impressed the judges who bestowed on her the "Tough Enough" female championship.

The female "Tough Enough" champion had a cup of coffee in developmental land honing her skills. It didn't take long for her to show up on WWE television as the story-lined, scorned girlfriend of the Hurricane, a relationship curiously never acknowledged while Nidia appeared on "Tough Enough." She vowed revenge, in the form of "new boyfriend" Jamie Noble. Hurricane and Noble were continuing a feud that they started with different personas in WCW.

WWE deemed Nidia perfect for the non-Diva-like, trailer-trash role. She was vocal, animated, and hardly lady-like. She and Noble would engage in less than appropriate, "get a motel room" behavior, hanging on each other and allowing the world to watch.

Nidia has tried to make her foray into Divadom, competing in bikini contests with other ladies of WWE. But her taste in swimwear coupled with her desire to leave her sneakers on seemed to be her undoing. Perhaps she would have done better in the trailer park. But by redefining the Diva role, Nidia could be a trailblazer who ascends in the WWE rankings.

Waiting in the Wings

JOSH MATTHEWS

The countless number of people who told Matthews that he was too small to ever make it in WWE are very quiet today. What he lacks in size, he makes up for in dogged persistence.

Matthews is gaining experience and seasoning as a legitimate wrestling announcer, not a pretty face without a wrestling background who fudges his way through an interview with the only focus being on just looking good. Matthews has the ring experience to back up his talk. While he is in a non-wrestling role as host of "WWE Bottom Line," everyone knows the inclination of WWE to utilize all of its talent in some kind of ring role.

TAYLOR MATHENY

Losing "Tough Enough" was visibly devastating to Matheny. She clearly had hopes of winning it all. The difference with Matheny is that she is determined to be a wrestler, not necessarily a WWE superstar--two markedly different things.

Following "Tough Enough," Matheny continued her career without cameras following her everywhere. She has competed around the country on the independent circuit. Matheny has also cut her teeth in the challenging world of Japanese wrestling, competing under the Arsion banner.

Clearly, "Tough Enough" runner-ups have been used as WWE talent. With Taylor gaining experience, a WWE debut may be in her future.

PAULINA

While her "Tough Enough" experience ended bitterly, Paulina seems determined to overcome the setback. Her look and natural athletic ability made her a likely winner of the competition. Many were pegging her as the "next Chyna." However, an injury would dictate a different destiny. When she hurt her knee, her "Tough Enough" and WWE dreams ended.

Like Matheny, Paulina remains determined to live her dream. On the July 31 episode of NWA: TNA, Paulina made her pro debut, coming to the rescue of Disco Inferno during an interview with Goldilocks. Paulina was very Chyna-like in her initial appearance, which, at presstime, was her only appearance with the group.

Other Toughs

AT PRESSTIME, THE THIRD EDITION OF "Tough Enough" was still in progress and had not yet spawned any future superstars.

Jackie Gayda and Linda Miles, "Tough Enough" female co-champions from the show's second run, made initial appearances on WWE television, but where quickly shuttled off to developmental territory Ohio Valley Wrestling for seasoning. Their brief appearances in the WWE spotlight revealed more flaws than potential.

COPYRIGHT 2003 Century Publishing
COPYRIGHT 2003 Gale Group