The USA Network has revealed the entire cast of the upcoming season of Tough Enough, which premieres April 4 following Raw.
The cast features nine men and five women, many of whom possessing independent wrestling experience.
A.J. Kirsch: A.J., 27, has been wrestling on the independent circuit for five years. Among his achievements is a one and a half year undefeated All Pro Wrestling Tag Team Championship in addition to a tag team victory over the infamous New Age Outlaws.
Andy Leavine: This 6’5″ giant hails from Brooksville, Florida where he had four years of high school varsity wrestling experience with a record of over 90 wins. The 23-year-old former football player has a mere six months of independent wrestling experience. Starting over 40 games as an offensive lineman for Florida International University, Andy holds the school’s power clean record of 365 lbs. After FIU, he was a priority free agent with the Miami Dolphins and attended mini-camps, before hanging up his cleats to pursue his dream to entertain in the ring.
Eric Watts: Eric, 25, hopes to become a WWE Superstar to fulfill his childhood dream. “WWE needs my afro and my tall, dark and handsome good looks,” says the 6’5″ behemoth. Eric hails from Pasadena, California where he spent two years on his High School varsity football team as left tackle, earning All-League Honors. Eric was recruited by colleges for football, but opted not to attend so he could pursue his dream.
Jeremiah Riggs: This 28-year-old truck driver from Vicksburg, Mississippi is a natural athlete who prides himself on taking on new challenges. He was a US Army Ranger with the 1st Battalion and did a tour in Afghanistan in 2004. He has six years of training as an MMA Fighter with a record of seven wins and five losses, fighting with UFC, Strikeforce and Bellator. He is trying to become the first legitimate MMA fighter to crossover into WWE.
Luke Robinson: Luke, 26, is a Personal Trainer from Auburn, Maine with five years of independent circuit experience. For him, WWE combines all his passions rolled into one: performing, marketing, athleticism and traveling. Luke proved his athleticism as captain of his high school’s varsity soccer, hockey and baseball teams, competing all four years, before moving on to getting his BA in Business Administration from University of Southern Maine.
Martin Casaus Martin, 26, is a stockbroker and independent wrestler hailing from West Jordan, Utah. He gained his experience wresting for six and a half years on the independent circuit. He is also co-owner of Ultra Championship Wrestling Zero, a promotion and wrestling school.
Matt Capiccioni: Matt, 30, is an independent wrestler with nine years of independent circuit experience from Brecksville, Ohio. He has wrestled in sixteen countries and hopes to win “WWE Tough Enough” and a WWE contract so he “can have a fun job.” “You can see the world in spandex and smash things,” he explains.
Mickael Zaki: Mickael, 26, is an unemployed WWE hopeful hailing from Jersey City, NJ. He has lived the 9 to 5 lifestyle and hated every second of it. For him, being a WWE Superstar would allow him to escape this fate.
Ryan Howe: This 23-year-old aspiring musician and independent wrestler hails from Hebron, Indiana. He has two years of wrestling experience and hopes to win “WWE Tough Enough” and a WWE contract to make everyone who ever believed in him proud, especially his family, his trainer, Tracy Smothers, and his girlfriend, Tiffany.
Ariane Andrew: The 23-year-old Ariane is the quintessential Valley Girl. What Ariane lacks in wrestling experience she makes up for with bubbly charm. Ariane hopes to become
a WWE diva so she can display her alter-ego, a hard-edged girl that doesn’t give a crap.
Christina Crawford: Christina, 22, is a senior at the University of Central Florida studying Interpersonal Communications. She is a member of her college dance team.
Ivelisse Velez: An assistant pet groomer in Chicago, Illinois, the 22-year-old has spent the last six years on the independent circuit and is well known in her native Puerto Rico.
Michelle Deighton: This 25-year-old day care teacher from Terre Haute, Indiana, hopes to become a WWE Diva to fulfill a dream she has had since the age of 14. She loves the road lifestyle, living out of a suitcase and traveling. She has trained on and off in independent wrestling over the past 11 years.
Rima Fakih Rima is Miss USA 2010. The 25-year-old hails from Dearborn, Michigan where she received a BA in Economics and BA in Business Management from University of Michigan. Rima hopes to win “WWE Tough Enough” to prove that it is possible to be both beautiful and tough.
