By Chris Shore

Tough Enough on USA Network
Taped in Simi Valley, Cali.

[Q1] Steve Austin narrated a video that recapped the season thus far, making an effort to highlight Andy and Luke…The opening video played…

Andy was shown at home with his wife and kid. She asked him about Luke and Andy said Luke wasn't in his league. Andy's wife Lauren trained him as Andy explained she had a degree in training. It was very Rocky. Luke packed his bags and left home…

Luke was shown on a boat with a bunch of guys and young women. They were drinking and partying. Luke said this is what he would do again after he won. His training consisted of running around the lake and lifting wood. He also worked out with friends in the ring. He packed his bags, cried with his mom, and left home…A live cut-in to Raw hyped Austin announcing the winner on Raw…[C]

Shore's Slant: Standard reality show "at home before the finale" segments there. Nicely done. And it looks like the announcement will happen live on Raw at the top of the hour.

[Q2] Andy and Luke arrived to the FCW building and came to the ring. Bill DeMott was in the ring and said they would spend the next week training with Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat. Austin narrated a Dragon hype video and then "The Dragon" put over all the stars that had come from FCW.

DeMott told them that at the end of the week, they would each have a five minute exhibition. He told them their opponent would be him. He said he told them at the beginning they had to go through him to get in and he was a man of his word. He sent them to start training with Steamboat.

Steamboat took them to the back and had them run through some moves to learn a little more about them and their abilities. Both guys put the other over for technical skills, but said they were still better than the other…Another Raw cut had Michael Cole and Jerry "The King" Lawler hyping the announcement…[C]

Shore's Slant: They're making the announcement a big deal, but I can't help but feeling you're preaching to the choir a little here. I mean, who's watching Tough Enough that isn't watching Raw? So why wouldn't they hold over anyway? Nice to see Dragon getting some love.

Andy and Luke got ready for their matches backstage at FCW and each voiced over and explained what this moment felt like for them. Booker T was introduced in the FCW arena and joined commentary. Bill DeMott was introduced, still sporting the big question marks on his tights…

Raw cut-in again and Cole and Lawler talked at ringside about who Austin should pick. Lawler put both guys over and said we needed to watch their matches. Cole hyped them for next…[C]

Shore's Slant: This should be interesting. We really haven't seen what these guys can do yet, and we should get all five minutes straight through.

[Q3] Both Luke and Andy were introduced and were shown staring down with DeMott. The Tough Enough theme played as a montage of shots from both men's matches with DeMott were show. DeMott gave both a low-five at the end.

Backstage, Booker and DeMott spoke with both men. Booker asked them how they did. Andy said his best and Luke said he felt like he could have done better. Booker asked them if they left it all in the ring and both said yes. Booker said they both did great and DeMott agreed. He told them the next time they saw them, it would be live on Raw. He wished them both luck and he and Booker left…Raw cut in again and Cole said we would have the winner announced next…[C]

Shore's Slant: BOOOOOOOO! Look, I know this isn't for wrestling fans as much as it is the casual fans. But seriously, we should get to see the exhibition. I was looking forward to seeing these guys work before getting thrown into the mix somewhere.

Back live in Richmond, Booker, DeMott and Trish Stratus were introduced. They came to the ring and DeMott cut a promo and announced that tonight, they would announce, tonight, who won, tonight, and would get a WWE contract, live tonight. Yeah, it was that bad.

DeMott introduced the eliminated contestants who all came to the ring. DeMott introduced each by name, but he called Ryan "Skidmarks" before saying his name and shaking his hand. Trish introduced Andy and Luke, who both came to the ring with their belts.

[Q4] Booker T introduced "Stone Cold" Steve Austin and the Richmond crowd came unglued. As soon as Austin climbed in the ring he caught a beer, but he did not pose on the ropes. He drank from the can like a normal person and the crowd chanted "Austin."

Austin put over the contestants and had the crowd give them a round of applause and then a couple hell yeah's. He thanked the trainers and Trish got a big pop. Austin said normally he and the trainers would retire to his office, so he wanted to get the trainers' opinions for this.

DeMott put over all they had to accomplish grow. He said if he had to pick on right now, he would pick Andy. Austin asked Trish and she put both guys over and picked Andy as well. Luke was starting to sweat. Austin asked Booker T for his opinion. Booker said he would make it quick. He put over Luke as having a bright future, but he said Andy had "It Factor."

Austin put over his hard road to the top and said he had earned a PhD in that ring. Austin called Luke a pretty boy and asked him if he thought Andy was Tough Enough. Luke said Andy was alright, and then went on a rant about himself and how he was a superstar. Austin asked Andy what he thought of Luke, and Andy said he was insulted Luke was in the ring because he wasn't a real athlete.

Austin started to speak and the video feed cut to a limo rolling up. Vince McMahon climbed out of the car and started walking through the backstage area. As the show went to commercial, Austin told McMahon to come out because he was trying to make a decision and Vince picked a hell of a time to roll up. He called him a pompous sombitch at the last second…[C]

Shore's Slant: Wow, I never would have thought they would go for Andy. I am quite assuredly stunned. I know he's big, but I do not think he has that "It Factor" Booker talked about.

Vince came to the ring and asked Austin to give him a hug. Austin offered him a stunner instead. Vince asked each guy why they thought they were good enough to be in the WWE. Andy said, "I can guaran-damn-tee you this…" Vince cut him off and looked at Austin and asked, "Did he really just say that?" Austin said he did.

He asked Luke the same question and Luke said whether we loved him or hated him, we would never forget him. Vince said he was ready to make his pick and Austin glared at him. Vince asked him why he was looking at him that way and Austin said he was the one making the pick because Tough Enough was his show.

Austin made a big deal of waiting and then Vince said they should have a drum roll. Austin called for one and still waited. Andy started yelling and playing to the crowd, or something, and Austin finally picked him. Luke looked upset, of course, and then handed Austin his belt.

Andy celebrated and then faced McMahon. Vince welcomed him to the WWE and then slapped the shit out of him. Austin shook Andy's hand and announced him as the winner again and then gave him a stunner. He welcomed him to the WWE and Andy rolled to the floor. Andy took his belt and shook Austin's hand through the ropes. He walked away and Raw started…

Shore's Slant: Huh, size really does matter. I find that interesting seeing as how it was going to be Martin and Luke until Martin got hurt. Congratulations to Andy on his win. I guess I should raise hell that he was buried on the way in the door, but it was Vince and Austin so no real harm done. It's been a fun season. Thanks for watching along with me all.

Questions? Comments? Anyone, anyone? Let me hear from you. Email me at css3238@gmail.com or on Twitter @the_shore_slant with whatever is on your mind.

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