Exclusive: Former “WWE Tough Enough” Contestant A.J. Kirsch to Audition For Show Again

Earlier Thursday, WWE announced its newest host, coaches and trainers for the upcoming edition of “Tough Enough” on the USA Network. For the past several weeks, contestants have been submitting their audition videos for the show, hoping to be one of two to win one-year, $250,000 contracts with the company.

Wrestling Rumors has learned exclusively a familiar face will be submitting his name for the show, dropping his audition video soon.

In a video addressed specifically to Wrestling Rumors, “Tough Enough” Season 5 contestant A.J. Kirsch noted he would be publishing his audition for the show this upcoming Monday during “Monday Night Raw.”

Kirsch was one of the final five contestants during the 2011 season of the show, hosted by “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. While he largely went under the radar for much of the program, he shined during in Episode 8 with his promo abilities. With former WWE Champion Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson standing outside the ring, Kirsch looked former NXT head trainer Bill DeMott in the eyes and delivered a passionate promo. “The People’s Champ” was impressed by it, naming him the winner of that particular skills challenge.

The promo can be found below:

Despite praise from The Rock, Kirsch’s victory in the skills challenge was not enough to save him from elimination at the conclusion of the episode.

Since “Tough Enough,” Kirsch has spearheaded the promotion Hoodslam, a 21-and-over promotion based in Oakland, California. He told Wrestling Rumors two years ago the envelope-pushing of ECW inspired him to get into wrestling, an influence seen in Hoodslam, where Kirsch portrays “Broseph” Joe Brody. The character serves as the shows host, ring announcer and color commentator. Kirsch was also a contestant in TNA’s short-lived “Gut Check” competition.

In addition to wrestling, he has appeared on the debut season of VH1’s “Dating Naked” reality show last summer. Kirsch also discussed his wrestling career with Larry King in a sit-down interview. He has been posting teasers of a “Tough Enough” return on his official Facebook and Twitter as of late, leading many to believe he was to make another run at the program. If Kirsch is true to his word in the video message, his application video will be live during “RAW” Monday night.

Editor’s Note

Sorry A.J., but I had to leak this one. Big news. Excited to see if WWE gives him another opportunity. 

Follow @JonAlbaSFC