Chicago Sun-Times: Maven, Nidia are 'Tough Enough'

This past Thursday night on MTV, the winners of the first WWF "Tough Enough" were announced, and Maven and Nidia are the newest WWF superstars.

After 14 weeks of training and testing, 13 potential stars were dwindled to the final two who have been given guaranteed contracts by the federation.

Maven, 24, a 6-2, 215-pounder from Oregon, looks destined for a run in the cruiserweight division in the WWF, while Nidia, a 21-year- old from Texas, will take her skills right into the women's division.

Though both will get big props from the fans upon their debuts (probably Monday on "Raw"), I would think Nidia will have the inside track on becoming a star.

Joining a women's division that currently does not have a champion- -and really only Lita, Molly, Ivory and Jackie as proven wrestlers-- she should fit right in near the top.

As for Maven, it would not be in the best interest of the WWF to have a young wrestler with less than four months experience in the business come in and start defeating the upper echelon of the sports entertainment business.

Bookers cannot lose focus on the fact that the stars currently on the roster should be considered the best of the best.

HEARD AROUND THE RING: At the "No Mercy" PPV, look for Edge to face Christian in a TLC match for the Intercontinental title. . . . A continuing theme in the WWF is that there is way more talent than needed.

The WWF will continue to cut the talent roster over the final quarter of 2001. . . . The Sept. 20 edition of "SmackDown!" was the highest-rated show on UPN last week, finishing at No. 65 for the week. . . . The WWF has released "The Undertaker Documentary: A Decade of Destruction" on VHS and DVD. It features behind-the-scenes and away-from-the-arena footage with the Taker, classic matches vs. Hulk Hogan, Shawn Michaels, Stone Cold Steve Austin and Mankind, and recent feuds with Diamond Dallas Page, Triple H and Kurt Angle. . . . This December, "Armageddon" will be renamed "Payback." . . . The WWF now will call "RAW's" first and second hours "RAW 1" and "RAW 2"-- changes from "RAW is WAR" and "WarZone."

HOTLINE: HHH suffers a setback in his rehabilitation, and return dates now set for Goldberg, Scott Steiner and Kevin Nash. Get the inside scoop on the hotline: (900) 454-SLAM ($2 per minute).