'$1,000,000 Tough Enough' Begins Tonight!; New Reality Contest Starts Tonight on UPN's WWE SmackDown!

STAMFORD, Conn. -- Weekly Voting by Viewers Will Determine Who is Tough Enough to Win a $1,000,000 Contract to Become the Next WWE Superstar

Thousands of hopeful World Wrestling Entertainment(R) Superstars auditioned for only eight spots in WWE's "$1,000,000 Tough Enough." After a grueling weekend of competition, the eight finalists have been selected, including "Snake" from the television program Battle Dome, an All American basketball player, and an MTV reality show star.

WWE(R) kicks-off this new reality contest within WWE SmackDown!(TM) on UPN (8 p.m. ET/7 p.m CT) tonight with special segments dedicated to footage from the casting events. "$1,000,000 Tough Enough" is based on the popular reality series which aired on MTV for three seasons.

The "$1,000,000 Tough Enough(R)" pits eight contestants against each other to compete for the chance to become a WWE Superstar and earn a WWE contract worth $1 million.

Starting on October 28, viewers will vote for their favorite contestant exclusively on WWE.COM to decide who stays and who goes. One contestant will be eliminated each week on WWE SmackDown!, until December 16, when the "$1,000,000 Tough Enough" Champion is crowned.

WWE Tough Enough winners from the MTV series, Maven(TM), Nidia(TM), and Miss Jackie(TM), are featured Superstars on WWE programming.

The eight contestants competing in the "$1,000,000 Tough Enough" are:

JOHN MEYER
From: Costa Mesa, CA
Height: 6 foot 5
Weight: 230 pounds

John Meyer owns his own advertising business. A former high school and
college basketball player, John was in the Navy from 1991 to 1993.
John is easily noticeable by the large tattoo that covers his back,
which reads MEYER.

NICK MITCHELL
From: Woodlands, TX
Height: 6 foot 2
Weight: 250 pounds

For work, Nick Mitchell sells gym memberships. This former
Northwestern State football player also played in the National Indoor
Football League (NIFL). The 250-pounder describes himself as very
outgoing and claims to have numerous fans all over the United States.
Mitchell admits to also going by the nicknames of "Cadillac" and "Big
Booty Bandit."

MIKE MIZANIN
From: Parma, OH
Height: 6 foot 1
Weight: 210 pounds

Mike Mizanin is a reality show veteran. He has already appeared on
five MTV shows. He was originally in Real World: Return to New York
and is currently on the popular Road Rules vs. Real World: Battle of
the Sexes II, also on MTV. In addition to all this, Mike has conducted
speaking tours at numerous colleges all over the United States. Mike
has created "The Miz," a wrestling-like character which he unleashed
as an angry, yet entertaining, alter-ego on the Real World: Return to
New York.

CHRIS NAWROCKI
From: Syosset, NY
Height: 6 foot 4
Weight: 260 pounds

Chris Nawrocki works as a risk management consultant. He played four
sports (football, volleyball, basketball and baseball) while in high
school. He also played football in college for Syracuse. One of Chris'
hidden talents is the ability to make up songs on the spot with his
guitar.

DANIEL PUDER
From: Sunnyvale, CA
Height: 6 foot 2
Weight: 235 pounds

In addition to being a student, Daniel Puder owns his own print and
marketing company. He has also started a non-profit strength program
for kids. He has been involved with full contact fighting, mixed
marshal arts, and cage fighting.

RYAN REEVES
From: Las Vegas, NV
Height: 6 foot 1
Weight: 275 pounds

Ryan Reeves is a student, majoring in fitness management. While at
UNLV, he played baseball. His mother has just published a health book.
When Ryan was young, he won the opportunity to ring the bell at a
World Wrestling Entertainment live event.

DANIEL RODIMER
From: Tarpon Springs, FL
Height: 6 foot 7
Weight: 300 pounds

Daniel Rodimer works as a personal trainer. He also plays semi-pro
football for the Tamp Bay Barracudas. Prior to that, he played for the
Arena Football League and at the University of Southern Florida.
Daniel admits that he uses the fact that he looks like Jeremy Shockey
from the New York Giants to get into certain places.

JUSTICE SMITH
From: Torrance, CA
Height: 6 foot 9
Weight: 285 pounds

Justice works as a model/actor. He starred in the television program
Battle Dome as "Snake." Justice also played basketball (forward and
center) for the University of Tennessee for two years before
transferring to Alcorn State. This former high school basketball
All-American was ranked 30th in the nation by USA Today. He is also a
second degree black belt in Taikwando.

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