A day after WrestleMania XXVII, USA Network has premiered its revival of the WWE Tough Enough reality show. Hosted by fan favourite “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, the show sees 14 hopeful wrestlers from across the country work under trainers Brooker T, Trish Stratus and Bill DeMott in a series of elimination rounds.

The first contestant eliminated from Tuesday night’s premier was Ariane Andrew, a 23 year old with no wrestling experience and a background in behavioural therapy. She was joined in the bottom three by Erik Watts and Michelle Deighton, experienced amateurs who narrowly avoided elimination.

The revival of the show was announced in October of last year with casting calls running from November through to January. The season’s first show (being dubbed season one, despite having four predecessors) received high ratings and positive response from fans, with Austin’s hosting skills in particular being apploaded. Aside from occasional appearances, it was the six-time world champion’s first return to the stage in some time. His official retirement from the WWE came after contract disputes in 2004.

Tough Enough originally debuted on MTV in 2001, following on from the success of other reality shows such as Survivor which first aired a year earlier. Recent successes such as The Biggest Loser and The Ultimate Warrior have preceded the new season of Tough Enough, which was last aired in 2005.

Reported by Claire Blackthorne.

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