For those who've seen it you'll likely agree that the WWE Network-exclusive Tough Enough casting special was the best part of this past season. Seeing hundreds of people spend the weekend running drills and facing eliminations, all while the cameras rolled so we could watch them break, flake out or have their dreams ripped away until there were only the finalists remaining was undeniably compelling TV. Who can forget the emotional plight of U.S. veteran Mike Hayes trying to will himself to overcome the handicap of a prosthetic leg, only to fall short and have to exit the competition because his body couldn't keep up with his heart? We need more of that. Those chosen to make it into the barracks were hand-picked by WWE, and while some of their choices seemed a bit questionable they obviously had their reasons. If you're going to put the power to grant people contracts with your company (worth a quarter of a million dollars) into the hands of your fans, how about going all the way and let the fans choose who makes it to the show? Since the casting special was so great, do another one of those but this time make it a two-parter. Again, you keep it on the Network, and after the first special airs those who subscribe to the Network are given a special code in an email to vote for who they think should make it onto the show. Then the following week on another exclusive special you announce the winners. This works positively in two different areas: you allow your fans to choose the people they are most interested in watching therefore hopefully ensuring that they'll follow along as the season progresses, and you give another perk to the customers who subscribe to the Network. Win-win.
Brad Hamilton is a writer, musician and marketer/social media manager from Atlanta, Georgia. He's an undefeated freestyle rap battle champion, spends too little time being productive and defines himself as the literary version of Brock Lesnar.
