Chris Jericho recently mentioned that he was going to be back in WWE doing house shows. But his second announcement has more impact with the current product.
With Stone Cold Steve Austin unable to host the latest season of Tough Enough because of prior commitments with his own shows, people were wondering who the new host would be. WWE is pushing it a lot on Monday Night Raw and we’re only six or so weeks away from the start.
Because he recently replaced Steve Austin as the host of the WWE live podcasts, most thought it would be Chris Jericho. But he’d told people that he wouldn’t be doing it. Then again, Jericho likes to keep things close to the vest, especially when he returns to WWE TV.
But he didn’t keep this announcement under the vest for very long. Using both Twitter and Instagram, he confirmed that he is indeed the host of the new season.
HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT #2- Stoked to be hosting the new & improved @WWEToughEnough on @USANetwork starting June 23! The summer of Y2J has begun!
— Chris Jericho (@IAmJericho) May 7, 2015
According to the WWE press release, Hulk Hogan, Daniel Bryan, and Paige will also be a major part of the show. Booker T, Billy Gunn, and Lita will be the trainers.
The press release is below.
NEW YORK and STAMFORD, CONN – May 7, 2015 – USA Network and WWE announced today that WWE Superstar Chris Jericho will be the host of the highly-anticipated series, WWE TOUGH ENOUGH, and will be joined by a panel of experts comprised of WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan®, WWE Superstar Daniel Bryan® and WWE Diva Paige™. The high-octane reality series premieres LIVE Tuesday, June 23 at 8pm ET/5pm PT on USA Network and around the world.*
This season of WWE TOUGH ENOUGH will combine the can’t-miss excitement of live television with reality-show drama, as WWE hopefuls vie for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become the next WWE Superstar or Diva. Unlike anything on television today, the lightning-fast hour of entertainment and competition will include live results every week, giving fans worldwide the power to decide who stays and who goes the very same night. Each week, one cast member will be eliminated until one man and one woman are considered “Tough Enough,” with each earning a one-year, $250,000 WWE contract.
Throughout the competition, the contestants will be trained by WWE Legends Booker T™, Billy Gunn™ and Lita™. Contestants will also come face-to-face with WWE icons including WWE Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Vince McMahon; Executive Vice President, Talent, Live Events & Creative, Paul “Triple H®” Levesque; Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon; and WWE Superstar John Cena®, among others.
“These athletes, each with varying skill sets, will be put through a grueling boot camp that will test their physical, mental and emotional limits in a way that the series hasn’t done before,” said Jessica Sebastian, Vice President of Unscripted Series, USA Network. “Each week, their training and experience culminates in a spectacular live event where they will be put in front of their WWE heroes and an audience of fans. In this reimagined version of WWE TOUGH ENOUGH only the best will survive.”
“This season of WWE TOUGH ENOUGH will be the most innovative, unique and engaging series on television,” said Kevin Dunn, WWE Executive Producer. “A live global telecast, real-time voting with immediate results, and unprecedented use of digital and social media during and between telecasts will all lead to a groundbreaking viewing experience.”