WWE Tough Enough, Week 1

It is so great to see this series back!

Just some quick thoughts on this week's Tough Enough episode, as I have to hit my self-imposed daily page count on my Script Frenzy piece today, as well as finish a chapter of the novel and then start laying out a pitch book. I might eat a meal and maybe get some sleep in there as well, but we'll see how the other stuff goes first.

I agree completely with Stone Cold this week for his bottom 3 picks. I would love to see next week that Michelle and Eric got Stone Cold's point and take it to heart. Eric seemed like he could care less about being there, and Michelle was full of excuses. And Ariane - well, from the moment she opened her mouth on the show, I was like "Get the hook!" Going on and on with of her "Divalicious" prattle, and she's standing there with Trish Freakin' Stratus? CLUELESS. Completely and utterly clueless. I was embarrassed for her!

Can they really not comprehend the opportunity that they have here? Is this an example of this growing American sentiment that they are entitled to something that they don't have to actually work toward getting? Or were they really that blind-sided by the work involved behind being a pro wrestler? One would think that, to get to the point where you were getting a real shot at your dreams, you would have done a little research.

Sure, wrestling storylines are scripted, and the ring floor is flexible. You think you don't have to be in shape to last through a match? You think maybe it hurts to be thrown into a turnbuckle, or pitched off the top rope to land wrong? Ask The Miz, kids. We saw him get a concussion at Wrestlemania this weekend, as it happened. Everyone in the room here winced when his head bounced off the floor - and he still got up and finished the match.

One of the reasons I love pro wrestling is the people who do it for a living. You don't just 'be' a pro wrestler. It takes everything you have, and you have to truly love it to be it. The sacrifices they make to their bodies, their families, their lives, just to do something that they love so passionately for a living is inspirational. (Don't believe me? Watch "Beyond The Mat.") Would that we all had something - anything! - that we loved that much! When Big Show walks into the arena, his face lights up. When he smiles and waves to WWE fans, it is clear in his eyes that this guy loves what he does. These guys and gals are modern-day gladiators, giving up so much to entertain the masses. I think a lot of wrestling fans truly get that, and that is why they are so loyal and passionate about watching.

With that in mind, we go back to these three Tough Enough contestants in the final moments of this week's show. Do they really want this? Do they understand what it is they are getting into? The coming weeks will tell - but not for Ariane, as she was cut. Let's hope Eric and Michelle got the hint.