"STEVE AUSTIN'S BROKEN SKULL CHALLENGE" PUTS ELITE ATHLETES TO THE TEST WHEN THE HEART-POUNDING COMPETITION SERIES PREMIERES SUNDAY, JULY 6 ON CMT

NASHVILLE - June 12, 2014 - Just in time for the scorching months of summer, CMT debuts the most badass competition series yet when STEVE AUSTIN'S BROKEN SKULL CHALLENGE premieres Sunday, July 6 at 9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT. The brain-child of wrestling icon Steve Austin, the 10-episode series pits elite athletes against everyday men and women in the ultimate test of strength, stamina and wit. Each episode features eight contestants in head-to-head battles, until the last man or woman standing earns the right to take on the toughest obstacle course in America created by Austin himself, the "Skullbuster," for a chance to win cash.

Embed the first preview here: http://www.cmt.com/videos/promo/1052360/steve-austins-broken-skull-challenge-preview.jhtml

Austin, who previously helmed three seasons of REDNECK ISLAND on CMT, is known for being one of the toughest competitors in the wrestling arena. BROKEN SKULL CHALLENGE combines his fierce love for physical competition with extreme challenges using the core tenants from such current fitness trends as CrossFit and Spartan Race. Austin's half-mile "Skullbuster" features 10 obstacles designed to stop even the most hardcore athletes, built to progressively break the body down. Everyone's equal at the ranch, as women find themselves subject to the same punishment as men.

In the first episode, there is no shortage of adrenaline as eight men battle for the win in Trench Warfare, The Pulverizer and The Junkyard. If they lose, they leave. Steve Austin's rules are fair, and competitors are quick to learn that even those with the most physical power may not be a match against pure determination. In the end, only one athlete will make it to the Skullbuster and even then, there are no guarantees he will complete it.

One of the most popular pro-wrestling superstars of all time, Steve Austin has been busy since retiring from the ring in 2003. The hugely popular WWE Hall of Fame inductee hit the big screen in 2010 in Sylvester Stallone's action thriller, The Expendables, co-starring alongside a who's who in action films. Since then, he amassed a number of movie credits including Damage, one of Fox Home Video's best-selling releases; The Stranger and Hunt To Kill, both released by Anchor Bay; The Package opposite Dolph Lungdren; and, Maximum Conviction opposite Steven Segal. TV roles include hosting CMT's Redneck Island, along with USA's hit series Tough Enough. In 2012, Austin launched his podcast The Steve Austin Show, where he lets loose with his no-holds-barred interview style. During his down time, Austin likes to spend time at his 2,100-acre Broken Skull Ranch in South Texas with his wife Kristin and their three Labradors. Follow @steveaustinBSR on Twitter.

For more information and exclusive BROKEN SKULL CHALLENGE content, visit CMT.com and download the CMT App. Fans can also join the conversation on the series' official Facebook page and follow @CMT on Twitter and Instagram using hashtag #BrokenSkullChallenge.

STEVE AUSTIN'S BROKEN SKULL CHALLENGE is produced by 51 Minds Entertainment with executive producers Christian Sarabia, Rabih Gholam, Steve Austin and co-executive producer Vincent Cariati. Julia Silverton, Jayson Dinsmore and Joe Livecchi executive produce for CMT.

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