I was always a big fan of WWE's "Tough Enough,'' and while I'm not a total mark like a few of my co-workers are for "The Ultimate Fighter," WWE NXT is similar to that show as well.
I think a total revamp of WWE's Tuesday night show -- from the now-dead ECW to WWE NXT -- is a welcomed sight.
Here's what we know.
The show will feature pros mentoring eight rookies trying to go from FCW to WWE Raw or Smackdown. It will have two to three seasons per year.
While the direction concerns me some, as some of this will be done "on the fly," it will make Tuesday nights for wrestling much more TV-friendly.
Season 1 names, with their mentors, are:
1. FCW Champion Justin Gabriel (Justin Angel in FCW) with Matt Hardy
2. Daniel Bryan (formerly Bryan Danielson) with The Miz
3. Wade Barrett with Chris Jericho
4. Skip Sheffield with MVP
5. Michael Tarver with Carlito
5. Michael Tarver with Carlito
6. Heath Slater with Christian
7. Darren Young (longtime Northeast indie wrestler Fred Sampson) with CM Punk
8. David Otunga (Jennifer Hudson's fiance) with R-Truth.
Other names rumored were Joe Hennig and Brett DiBiase, although they would seem to be called up soon one day due to their last names. They -- along with Kaval (Low Ki) -- were not chosen.
Gabriel and Bryan seem like locks to make the final, but with the mentors, who knows how Season 1 will play out.
There have also been reports of incorporating the Divas into the show. But that seems pointless to me.
WWE
Ezekiel Jackson beats Christian to become ECW Champion. REACT: That's a surprise. While it pushes Jackson big-time and will allow Christian to move to Smackdown, it ,means Ezekiel Jackson will go down as the last ECW Champion. Is that right? I don't think so. I think it's a slight knock on all past ECW Originals.
The NXT Wrestling group from Scotland comes to terms with WWE over WWE NXT. REACT: I wonder how much cash exchanged hands here.
ECW changes reportedly have Christian, Caylen Croft and Trent Baretta going to Smackdown, with William Regal, Ezekiel Jackson, Zack Ryder and Rosa Mendez going to Raw. REACT: A Christian-Edge feud or pairing is smart, while Croft/Baretta remain my favorite young tag team. I can't see Regal/Jackson contributing much to Raw, but Ryder/Mendez will be respectable. Shelton Benjamin needs a home on Raw, but will probably get thrown on Smackdown. However, as usual, he's on an extreme -- currently on a push after an awesome last two weeks on ECW. Maybe Benjamin has hope for Raw.
Chris Jericho pays his fine to void a reported arrest warrant for no-showing his court hearing. REACT: Did he actually forget?
Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels. REACT: Since this is a WrestleMania rematch, why not make it a retirement match?
Stone Cold Steve Austin says he has no interest in wrestling Hulk Hogan. REACT: I wanted this match forever. Now, it's pointless and would be embarrassing.
TNA Wrestling
Rob Van Dam tells the Right After Wrestling Sirius XM satellite radio show there is a "good possibility" he will accept an offer. REACT: A relaxed schedule, and less WWE corporate, would serve RVD very well.
Hulk Hogan/Abyss vs. Ric Flair/TNA World Heavyweight Champion AJ Styles on the second live show March 8. REACT: Why not. It's a tag-team match. I'll be watching that one closely.
Mr. Kennedy tells The Sun that WWE's steroids testing are "a little much." REACT: I totally disagree on this one.
Bill Goldberg said he hasn't been contacted. REACT: Not contacted by TNA? Yes. Not contacted by Hogan? Doubtful.
Booker T and Sharmell. REACT: Twins rule! Congrats to the couple!
