Every WWE Tough Enough Winner: Where Are They Now?

6. John Hennigan (2003)

Maven WWE Tough Enough
AEW

Then: Jim Ross was flummoxed (flummoxed, we say!) when athletic rookie John Hennigan didn't appear to know what Booker T's spinaroonie was during Tough Enough's third series in 2003. "Do you not watch our programming?", asked the grumpy commentator whilst putting Hennigan through his paces.

Then, John managed to bust out a spinaroonie that'd make Booker dizzy. It was a break dancing performance for the ages, but Hennigan clearly had more to offer than simple dance moves. He was nimble, malleable as a personality, and was clearly eager to learn everything he could to give himself the best chance possible of winning the competition and making it to the top of WWE.

By 2005, Hennigan was renamed Johnny Nitro and teaming with both Joey Mercury and Melina as MNM. He'd reach greater heights than that on his own.

Now: Johnny TV is currently on AEW's books, but hasn't wrestled on 'A' show Dynamite or main card PPV in a long time. A gig's a gig though, and there's always gonna be scope for the ex-Nitro/Morrison/Impact/Elite/Mundo/TV to launch another WWE comeback - he's already enjoyed one of those between 2019-2021.

That stint was largely comedic alongside The Miz, but again...he was employed and doing whatever was asked of him. It's the same deal in AEW, albeit in front of smaller audiences on ROH or Collision.

The 46 year old TV remains sprightly and capable of some good matches, but he'll never be a featured character pushed to the top of cards again. That's OK. He's a well respected veteran who's ultra-reliable. That goes a long way with promoters.

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Lifelong wrestling, video game, music and sports obsessive who has been writing about his passions since childhood. Jamie started writing for WhatCulture in 2013, and has contributed thousands of articles and YouTube videos since then. He cut his teeth penning published pieces for top UK and European wrestling read Fighting Spirit Magazine (FSM), and also has extensive experience working within the wrestling biz as a manager and commentator for promotions like ICW on WWE Network and WCPW/Defiant since 2010. Further, Jamie also hosted the old Ministry Of Slam podcast, and has interviewed everyone from Steve Austin and Shawn Michaels to Bret Hart and Trish Stratus.