The Basham Brothers talk trash about the Tough Enough series
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In a recent interview after the weekly Tough Enough Challenge on Smackdown, WWE.com sat down with the Basham Brothers,Danny and Doug, to find out what they thought about the night. Below are their comments.

WWE.com: What was it like for you being a part of this Tough Enough challenge tonight?
Doug: Well you know I really don’t approve of the Tough Enough competition, because I don’t like how these guys are getting in our business. I don’t think anybody who ever did Tough Enough would be in our freaking business if it wasn’t for money or an easy way in. Back when I came in, I paid dues, man. I got the hell beat out of me every night, I put up rings, and I did things people wouldn’t imagine doing to get into this business. And because of that, I have no respect for any of those kids, and I honestly don’t believe that they have any respect for the guys in our business, because they are being given a free ride.

WWE.com: Which kid provided the toughest challenge?
Doug: I don’t think we had a lot of problem with any of them.
Danny: A few of those @$$holes were strong, and had a lot of fight in them.
Doug: The later ones had an advantage on us, because we were tired at the end, but did any of them get by and grab that flag? Hell no!

WWE.com: Did you ever think that one of them might slip past you to get the flag?
Doug: No.
Danny: No, we were confident in our abilities. Like I said, it was two on one, and not only are we the best tag team here, but we are obviously the best duo. We proved what we are all about tonight.

WWE.com: Do you think you guys will interact with these Tough Enough challengers again?
Doug: I hope so.
Danny: I really don’t know. I really don’t know if they are tough enough, I really don’t know if they have what it takes to be a WWE Superstar, I don’t know if they have what it takes to be in this business, and I don’t know if they are going to be able to succeed here in WWE. So who knows if our paths will cross again.

WWE.com: What will happen if you guys do cross paths with them again?
Doug: Well they are going to find out what it really takes to be a WWE Superstar. It takes more than kissing Mae Young. It takes more than just taking a bodyslam from Big Show, and it takes more than doing squat thrusts, push-ups, or jumping over barriers.
Danny: These guys really have no idea what it means to be a Superstar, and they have no idea what it takes to make it in this business, but they’re gonna find out real fast.

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My thoughts on this go two ways. One is taking this with a grain of salt. These guys play heels on tv and they are staying in their heel characters. The second is the only I honestly believe to be factual, which is they meant every single word they say. Now one could argue how they could even go so far as to say that because Shaniqua (previous TE alumni and winner) was their manager/dominatrix when they arrived on the scene at Smackdown and helped elevate their characters and personas so to speak. On the other hand, I obviously think she is a horrible example because she showed everything that was WRONG with the idea of Tough Enough in her mentality. Now taking their words a little out of direct context and using them overall, I am actually pretty upset by what they had to say. For Doug to basically say he has no respect for any Tough Enough talent is not only ignorant but disrepectful to the company as a whole. Using Maven as a prime example, he spent a rather long time overall in HWA and OVW. Maven paid alot of his dues on Sunday Night Heat and while that may seem more glamerous that a high school gym, remember that it was always a learning experience for him and he didn't have the luxury of doing this infront of a small country crowd and having a chance to learn from his mistakes and completely refine himself before reaching a larger stage - he had to learn and grow infront of everyone where all of his flaws, shortcomings and mishaps where visible to all who watched him - and without remorse or pity or self-indulgence, he continued to plug on. Granted no one will accuse Maven of being a Chris Benoit or a Triple H, but he continues to better himself day in and day out and has one of the most tough work ethics of all the talent in the WWE. No granted I think this current Tough Enough Challenge is a joke in and of itself and I would venture to say that maybe Al Snow himself would agree, but bottom line is, he didn't target this one skit or this one class, he targeted each and every individual from Tough Enough - too which only one has been significantly succesful to this point, that being Maven. His comments were ignorant and ridiculous when looking at them from a broader range which I wouldn't expect someone of his mentality to even try to do. Again take this for what it's worth, but these are just my thoughts.

On another note, they talk real big and bad when they are two on one, and how if the tables are turned that they could get through - I would love to see them get through 2 of those guys at once. Even more, let's see them talk trash in a UFC ring against Daniel Puder - then it will be time to put up or shut up, and I think even Kurt Angle himself can agree that taking down Puder is no easy task.

Furthermore, for him to say that they wouldn't be in it for the money or an easy way in, ask yourself this question - would you not have taken the chance if it were available to you at the time? You would be crazy not too. It's funny that guys like Tazz and Al Snow who are true-blooded veterans of this business don't disapprove of guys like Maven and their work ethic but these to slapnuts do? And to call it an easy way in or a free ride? Maven has had a broken femur and a fractured radial bone in his elbow, along with basically jobbing to anyone and everyone when needed and doing anything and everything the company has asked him to do at this point, and he remains gratefull of the opportunity and respectfull of the great talent he works with day in and day out. Maybe Danny and Doug should take a look in the mirror and ask themselves who is being disrespectful now?

If you would like to voice your opinions, please email us at reaction@mavenhuffman.com and tell us what you think about Danny and Doug's comments on WWE.com.

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