WWE Tough Enough 2015: Recap, Reaction and Elimination from August 18

We are just one week away from the end of Tough Enough season six. Following this week's show, the field was narrowed to the final four.

We always knew that we would get to this point, but it still stings that some of the most talented competitors were sent home before it was their time.

There's a $250,000 prize and a contract waiting for one lucky man and woman at the end of this journey. If past seasons are anything to go by, winning doesn't actually matter because WWE officials will sign anyone they think has talent.

The women might not have been on the chopping block this week, but that didn't mean they got to rest on their laurels.

Week 9's Challenge

The first part of the challenge saw the five remaining competitors join some NXT Superstars in building the ring that sits at Full Sail University.

To see how many people were needed for the whole process makes you realize just how hard the WWE crew that travels the country all year works. Since everyone was working as a team, there was no winner.

The real challenge came when each contestant had to pick and perform their own finishing maneuver. The coaches gave them some advice and feedback before each person tried their move.

Sara couldn't think of a finisher, so Lita gave her a standard armbar to work with. She had trouble at first but eventually got it down. Tanner was able to perform his cross body block just fine, but the coaches had to teach him how to look mean while doing it.

Josh wanted to try a powerbomb, but the coaches thought a running powerslam was the safer option. Amanda ended up using a running bulldog as her finisher, and ZZ used some kind of gator-grip submission.

It was surprising that there wasn't a winner chosen, especially considering this is the last show before the big finale. Everyone ended up doing a good job, but it was clear from the judges' reactions that Josh and Amanda excelled.

In the Studio and Back at the Barracks

Amanda has totally embraced her role as a heel, and her vindictive nature was on full display after the remaining contestants returned to the barracks following last week's elimination.

She tried to plant seeds of doubt in Sara's head and even laughed about it during the short interview segments that are sprinkled in throughout the show.

However, we did get to see a couple of nice moments between ZZ and Amanda, as well as Tanner and Josh. At this point in the competition, these people have been living together for a couple of months, so it's no surprise some of them have grown close.

During the live portion of the show, the judges grilled the contestants in order to see how fast they could think on their feet. Everyone was put in the hot seat, but the judges were clearly attacking ZZ a little more than everyone else.

Week 9 Elimination: Tanner

Obviously, this week's bottom three was made up of the remaining male contestants. Each person was given the usual 30 seconds to plead their case.

Tanner and ZZ gave the same speech they have given every time they were in the bottom three, but Josh took things to another level and cut a promo using a lollipop as a microphone, which he then presented to Paige when he was done.

Daniel Bryan was the only judge with a save left to use, but he chose not to exercise that right. When the votes were counted, Tanner was the one who was sent home. He was disappointed but didn't look that surprised that he was eliminated.

Tough Talk

The first half of Tough Talk was all about Tanner and ZZ. They kept things civil, but Tanner basically called ZZ a liar several times and cited specific examples.

ZZ did his best to sweet-talk his way out of it, but Daniel Bryan spoke up and said that he watched ZZ work in the gym for a few days and didn't see half as much effort as he did from the other contestants.

Paige and The Miz weren't going to let the gator wrestler off easily either. They accused him of manipulating the audience and claiming he sacrificed so much to be there when others had given up just as much or more for this opportunity.

The show took a turn toward Jerry Springer territory when Amanda called Sara a ring rat, which is essentially a wrestling groupie. Sara brushed it off as Amanda trying to get in her head, but Paige wasn't convinced.

With only five people left to interview, Byron Saxton did a decent job moving things along and keeping the mood light. He's nowhere near The Miz in terms of entertainment, but he has come into his own as a host.

Interesting Tidbits

• It was nice to hear Renee Young call Daniel Bryan "The voice of reason."
• It was cool seeing Dana Brooke and Jason Jordan helping the contestants with their finishers. Jordan has popped up several times in recent weeks.
• At one point it became clear the person directing the show had no idea which camera was focused on Tanner. We saw several different shots before they finally focused on him when he was speaking.
• Amanda's brother beat up her first boyfriend for absolutely no reason.
• This was the first time someone got more votes than ZZ in an elimination. Josh's popularity has grown a lot because he is so active on social media and comes off as the nicest person on the show.
• It almost felt like the judges were given instructions to make ZZ look bad to ensure Josh would win. They spent the majority of Tough Talk ripping into him, too.
• Amanda has a small bald spot on the back of her head. There was no rhyme or reason as to why this was brought up on the show.

Final Thoughts

It was easy to predict that Tanner would be the one going home based on how the fans have voted for the past eight weeks, but the thing that was shocking was Josh getting more votes than ZZ.

This whole show has been a popularity contest up to this point, but it looks like one man's work is finally paying off. Josh has improved in every possible way over the past several weeks, and even if he doesn't win, he will almost certainly end up in WWE eventually.

As for the women, it's going to come down to talent versus popularity in the finale. Amanda has shown real potential in most of the challenges, but Sara has a connection with the audience that will make it hard for Amanda to win.

Next week is when it all comes to an end and we find out which man and woman will win the WWE contract and the title of Tough Enough. Hopefully, the right people come away victorious.

What did you think of this week's episode?

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