'Tough Enough' Q&A: Intensity not enough for Egyptian Mada Abdelhamid

Focus.

It’s arguably one of the most important skills anyone can have in life, but having the ability to focus is crucial in the WWE. That was the lesson on this week’s episode of “Tough Enough.” The challenges were centered on the contestants’ abilities to concentrate on the task at hand while dealing with outside distractions like crowd noise.

Though he strung together some great performances in previous weeks and had the prototypical look of a WWE superstar, ex-basketball player Mada Abdelhamid was the latest contestant eliminated when the newest “Tough Enough” judge, The Miz, decided to save Amanda from elimination at the final minute. The Miz replaces Hulk Hogan on the show after he was fired from the company last week for his racist rant that was unearthed from 2008.

Q: What was your reaction when you heard the news about Hulk Hogan?

Abdelhamid: I mean, the WWE is committed to embracing and celebrating individuals from all backgrounds, such as myself, and it’s shown by the diversity of its performers and employees and the fans worldwide.

Q: What did you think about the choice to replace Hulk Hogan with The Miz?

Abdelhamid: In terms of having a judgment, it was probably a good replacement because he knew us as competitors and as people, so he could pick up where we left off. He’s talented, he’s been on “Tough Enough” before, so he knows what the show’s about and what it takes to be in the WWE.

Q: Your intensity really made you stand out on “Tough Enough.” Where does that come from?

Abdelhamid: I think some people are just born with that intensity and I’m a competitor at heart. I played professional basketball before and that’s where I get my fiery side. You know, off the court and outside of the ring, I’m the nicest, most humble and chill guy, but once I get in the ring and I’m competing, that’s when my intensity steps up and that’s when I take it to a whole other level. I have that “on/off switch” where when it’s time to go, I can turn it on and go full out.

Q: You mentioned you once were a basketball player. So what drew you to professional wrestling and the WWE?

Abdelhamid: Man, it’s crazy how life works sometimes, you know? I played basketball my whole life and I met my wife about two years ago, and that’s when I kind of decided to give up basketball and just settle down with my wife. I’ve always been a huge fan of the WWE, and everyone who sees me on the street says, “Man, you should be in the WWE,” because I just look like a WWE superstar. I always wanted to get an opportunity, I just never knew how. I had no idea, so when this opportunity came up, it was amazing. I mean, the timing couldn’t have been better, and it felt like it was meant to be. Now, I got this opportunity and I’m going to make the most of it. Even though I got eliminated last night, this is definitely not the end for me and I’m going to keep working hard and I will be back one day.

Q: Could you describe your experiences during the 2011 revolution in Egypt? How did it shape your personality and even change you as a person?

Abdelhamid: The experience was definitely crazy and life changing. It made me think a lot about who I am and what I’m doing with my life, actually, and that’s kind of when I started falling out of love with basketball. I’m a big believer that life is short and you should chase your dreams with no regrets. So that’s when I gave up basketball and started to transition into the next chapter of my life. And right now, that chapter is the WWE and I can’t wait to see what’s in store for me.

Q: In your final plea, you talked about all the things you want to achieve in the WWE. But now that you’re eliminated from the show, how do you plan on achieving those things? In other words, how are you going to pursue a wrestling career?

Abdelhamid: Definitely the next step is trying to get my foot in the door for NXT and the WWE Performance Center. NXT is huge now. You see guys like Kevin Owens making it big out of NXT, and then from there onto the WWE and hopefully the WWE championship, WrestleMania and the Hall of Fame, but it all starts now with the training, staying focused and just working my butt off every day.

Q: And you’re no stranger to working hard, right?

Abdelhamid: No. I was a personal trainer and a basketball player, so I’m used to working hard and I’m kind of used to chasing … if I want something, I go out and get it. I was never the best basketball player growing up. In fact, I was the worst player on the team, but I promised everyone that I was going to play collegiate and professional basketball, and this was in New Zealand where nobody goes and plays college basketball from America. It’s very hard to get scouted from there, but I did it because I believed in myself and I work hard. When I want something in life, I work for it. I know nothing’s ever going to be given to you. If you want something in life, you have to work for it; you have to earn it, and it’s the same right now. And I’m willing to work for it and I’m ready to work for it.

WWE "Tough Enough" airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m./7 p.m. CDT on the USA Network.