WWE Tough Enough Winner Andy Leavine Released

By Andrew Smith / April 25, 2012

It has been reported that Andy 'Silent Rage' Leavine, who was the winner of last year's WWE Tough Enough has been released from his contract. Leavine, who won the 2011 season, was chosen on the June 6th Raw over fellow competitor Luke Robinson who had also made the the final two. He was congratulated by Vince McMahon and given a complimentary Stunner by Steve Austin as a welcoming into the WWE. Following the win he was then sent to Florida Championship Wrestling which is WWE's development territory where he worked under the name of Kevin Hackman. Andy Leavine has since been on Twitter commentating on his release, hinting this isn't the last we've seen of him:

On my way to acquire some much needed experience. I'm just gettin' started in this business.

Leavine had been suspended last August after violating the WWE Wellness Program. He also received heavy criticism on his selling of the Stone Cold Stunner which he received on the Raw in which he was announced the winner. In regards to the Tough Enough competition itself, Steve Austin had expressed interest on returning to do another season but the USA Network didn't show as much interest, although there is a chance WWE will have it on its own Network which is due to launch later this year. Tough Enough originally debuted in 2001 and it went on a for further 3 seasons before being being dropped by WWE. It was then revived after a 7 year hiatus and was hosted by Steve Austin with Booker T, Bill DeMott and Trish Stratus as trainers.