Earlier today, it was reported that 2011 Tough Enough winner Andy Leavine was quietly cut by WWE, less than a year after earning his contract.
I for one was stunned by this news. How could this man have regressed so quickly to the point where he'd fallen into disfavor with WWE management. No one knows for sure. Chalk it up, then, to the curse that has become attached to winning Tough Enough, claiming another victim.
Consider:
Season 1: June-October 2001:
Nidia Guenard was released sometime around the winter of 2004-5, maybe sooner, denied a fair opportunity to challenge for the women's title, then held by a then-heel Trish Stratus. Bear in mind, that was less than a year after being drafted from Smackdown to Raw, which was supposed to raise her profile.
Maven Huffman lasted a wee bit longer, finishing as a heel in a jobber tag team with Simon Dean (Mike Bucci). Huffman was gone by the end of '05, and was in the news last week after being picked up for DUI.
Season 2: January-April 2002:
Jackie Gayda lasted until 2005, and I believe married Charlie Haas either before or after leaving. After what amounted to a cup of coffee in TNA, she has settled into retirement as a housewife.
Linda Miles, aka Shaniqua, was demoted to OVW after the Basham Brothers' 1st tag title run ended in early 2004, and was never seen again.
Season 3: October 2002-January 2003:
John Hennegan, nee Morrison, was released a few months ago after being the most successful graduate of TE to date. 3 IC titles, 5 tag titles, and a ECW title run. Not bad at all, and I wouldn't discount a return.
Matt Cappotelli was forced to retire while OVW champion due to a brain tumor, and was last with WWE as a rent-a-jobber in late 2003.
Million Dollar Tough Enough (on Smackdown): September-December 2004:
Daniel Puder took part in the '05 Royal Rumble, then was banished to OVW, and released. Runners-up Mike "The Miz" Mizanin & Ryan Reeves (now known as Ryback) are on the main roster at present.
What does the future hold for Andy Leavine? Does he follow the likes of AJ Kirsch into the indies? Does he try Japan, TNA, or Ring of Honor? We'll all know soon enough, but one thing is sure. USA & WWE are in no hurry to do another season of Tough Enough, and now we know why.
