Former Springstead wrestler proves he's plenty Tough Enough

TAMPA — When Andy Leavine packed his stuff and moved into the house for the WWE reality TV show Tough Enough, he started going by the nickname “Silent Rage.”

For those who knew the heavyweight in high school, only one part of that moniker made sense. Once a quiet, mild-mannered athlete who stood out for his pure size and strength, Leavine now has a wife and two children who motivate him every day.

“The Silent Rage thing goes right with Andy,” Springstead wrestling coach Eric Swensen said. “When he was in school, he didn’t have that edge, but he’s such a monster. All he needed was a little motivation.”

By show’s end, Leavine had outlasted 15 competitors and professional wrestling hopefuls for a guaranteed WWE contract. The show gave him national exposure, a must in the sports entertainment industry, but the road wasn’t without obstacles.

Leavine, 23, was born and raised in Brooksville. He had a passion for football and liked to watch professional wrestling when he was younger.

Though the occupation had some family connections, it was never something he thought about doing in the long term. His cousin, Danny Spivey, competed in the WWE, WCW and in Japan from 1984-95.

Once high school rolled around, Leavine was already more than 225 pounds and 6 feet. He was a force on the gridiron for Central and a heavyweight wrestler. In fall 2005, after football, he transferred to Springstead for wrestling. He won more than 90 matches in his amateur career, and posted a 33-4 record his senior year with 23 pins.

“We haven’t had anybody go as far as Andy so far (out of the program),” Swensen said. “When you talk about options after wrestling, really WWE and (mixed martial arts) are the best way to go. He’s blessed with such great height and weight that he’s a natural.”

Division I-A recruiters inquired about the big offensive lineman, and Leavine eventually landed at Florida International with a full athletic scholarship. He started 40 games and showed his toughness, playing through a lot of pain.

“I tore my meniscus twice, broke a couple bones in hands, foot and ankle, but I only ended up missing two games in my whole career,” he said. “I know that will help me down the road because you have to have grit in this (pro wrestling) business. You have to fight through it. Rain, sleet, snow or broken bones, you have to come to work.”

His career went well enough that the NFL came calling. The Miami Dolphins signed him as a rookie free agent. After being released, he fielded offers from the Canadian Football League and Arena Football League, but Leavine put that dream aside.

Following the path of other former college football stars, Leavine mulled the idea of training for the WWE. With some advice from Spivey, whom he recently reconnected with, Leavine attended the Nastyville School of Pro Wrestling in Clearwater to learn the ropes. WWE scouts took notice and he signed a developmental contact last August.

“There is a long line of football players that have gone on to become WWE superstars and legends,” he said. “Stone Cold (Steve Austin) went to North Texas and The Rock played for Miami. I think there is a certain type of similarity in that rush for glory.”

After only two matches in Florida Championship Wrestling under the gimmick name Kevin Hackman, Leavine was confronted with the chance of a lifetime and a difficult decision. He could continue on the slow ride up the ladder in FCW or terminate his contract for a chance on Tough Enough.

With his wife pretty far along in her pregnancy, he moved to California to train with former superstars like Booker T, Trish Stratus, Bill DeMott and Austin. Among his competition were 2010 Miss USA Rima Fakih and others with independent circuit experience under their belts like A.J. Kirsch, Martin Casaus, Michael Zaki and finalist Luke Robinson. Throughout the production, Leavine was presented as the hard-working family man.

“I was only a little surprised (when I got there) because I have always been a big advocate that wrestlers are some of the best athletes in the world,” Leavine said. “(Some of the other people on the show) wanted to be there for the reality TV experience and I was there for the wrestling.

“I decided from Day 1 that I was there to keep my head down and work hard. I stuck to my guns.”

On June 6, Austin and WWE chairman Vince McMahon announced Leavine as the winner on Monday Night Raw. Victory seemed short-lived as McMahon “slapped” him and Austin delivered one of his patented Stone Cold stunners to welcome the rookie to the company.

The week of his life continued. The Leavines welcomed their son, Balder Joe-Augustus, on June 10.

After consecutive weeks appearing on Raw, the 6-foot-5, 270-pound phenom got word this week that he will begin his training again in FCW to work on his skills in and out of the ring. Leavine will join former Hernando wrestlers Taylor Rotunda (FCW champion Bo Rotundo) and Windham Rotunda (Husky Harris) on the roster.

Fast facts: Andy Leavine
Wrestling names: “Silent Rage” Andy Leavine, Big Andy, Kevin Hackman
Born: In Brooksville. Dec. 27, 1987
Resides: Tampa
Pro debut: August 2010
Accomplishments: 2011 Tough Enough winner