Ex-WWE talent on Triple H saving him from being cut

Triple H was partly responsible for selecting the contestants when WWE launched the sixth season of the Tough Enough reality series in 2015. One of the show's finalists, ZZ, recently reflected on how The Game helped him.

ZZ, real name Zamariah Loupe, was initially cut from Tough Enough after the number of cast members was reduced from 40 to 14. Shortly before the main series began, the Louisiana native was drafted in as a last-minute replacement for another contestant.

In an interview on Developmentally Speaking, ZZ said WWE's Chief Content Officer was instrumental in getting him his first big opportunity in wrestling:

"Triple H came and he saved me from going home because I was like right at that threshold from not getting picked and getting picked and going to the show, so Triple H came and he saved me and he put me in the show. That was it, man. Tough Enough started and it was a whole new world, it was a whole nother experience for me." [5:28 – 5:46]

Mandy Rose and ZZ finished as Tough Enough 2015 runners-up. Sara Lee and Josh Bredl won the show to earn $250,000 WWE contracts.

---

ZZ on Triple H giving him another chance

Although he did not win Tough Enough, ZZ received a WWE deal due to his overwhelming popularity with the audience.

ZZ expected Tough Enough to mark the end of his WWE journey before Triple H surprisingly offered him a contract:

"He said, 'Hey, you went very far on this show. The crowd really likes you a lot. They kept you on this show for the majority of it. How would you like to have a talent contract with us for the next two to three years with NXT? We'll put you through the programs, we'll see how you do there. Just because you didn't win the show, doesn't mean you're not valuable to us.'" [20:58 – 21:23]

ZZ consulted his family and decided to accept WWE's offer. In 2016, he was released from his developmental contract after training at the Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, for several months.

Do you have any memories of ZZ on Tough Enough? Hit the discuss button and let us know.

---

Please credit Developmentally Speaking and give an H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for the transcription if you use quotes from this article.