Project Runway Rundown: Wrestlemaniacs

After inexplicably taking a week off (was I the only one who didn't know there was no new episode last week?) "Project Runway" came back fiercer than ever!

"Fierce" seemed to be the operative word as Christian certainly shattered his own record for using it and even got Tim Gunn to utter it multiple times.

Near the beginning of the episode, we were treated to the usual unnecessary scene of a model no one cares about getting kicked out. ***Start of Rant*** Maybe, this really shouldn't be a competition for the models too, Heidi, since no one really gives a crap about them. I mean, we could cut out those three minutes of this episode, and easily replace it with stuff like Christian viciously bad mouthing Ricky in their apartment. ***End of Rant***

The designers were led by Tim to yet another closed door behind which their challenge waited. Once the designers entered and found out they'd be designing an outfit for a WWE Diva (sorry, those were NOT sex noises Christian) I was excited and very intrigued (especially coming off the incredibly boring denim design challenge).

What raised my level of excitement even higher was that the designers themselves — who've made a habit out of bitching about almost every challenge — quickly seemed to warm up to the challenge and eventually became as excited as I did (which made them, for the most part, more creative).

I also got a kick out of seeing Tim Gunn climb into a wrestling ring and the fact that the girl-on-girl action really didn't do anything for anybody in that room (oh, Kevin where are you when we need you to hit on Torrie Wilson).

The trip to Mood, no wait...the Spandex House (!) was lighter and more fun than usual (green leopard print for Chris! Rhinestones for Sweet P!), but as much fun as the designers seemed to be having, (although I really don't need to see Christian in chaps again) that didn't really stop Sweet P from freaking out. Her freakouts have become a tradition at the level of Ricky crying and Jillian running out of time to make her outfit (oddly enough neither happened this week).

I suppose Sweet P had the closest thing that could be considered a difficult client in Candace Michele, WWE Champion and apparent serial flasher with the way she rips open her jacket. Candace wanted things tackier and shinier, while Sweet P struggled to not make her outfit look like a "tranny ice princess" (thank you, Christian). Still, it's a testament to how well liked Sweet P must be in that everyone (Christian, Chris, even Rami!) seemed to be rallying around her and trying to help.

In a related story, Christian begrudgingly let Ricky borrow a snap for the swimsuit that he was making for his diva. Of course, Christian was happy to point out that Ricky (pictured, right with his model/diva) was off the mark with his outfit, which looked like something Beyonce had thrown back.

After a few fun fitting sessions (I don't know why, but it's weird seeing the divas in "normal" clothes), it was time for the most fun, colorful and butt-tastic runway show we're likely to see on "Runway".

The best were Jillian's superhero-like bright blue creation, which may be the bootyliciousest outfit I've ever seen (seriously, we saw like 80% ass), Christian's S&M intricate creation and Chris's leopard print hoodie and shorts combo.

The worst were (unsurprisingly) Sweet P, who DID manage to pull her outfit together somewhat, Rami, who — surprise! — managed to work draping AND an ugly color into a wrestling outfit and make Torrie Wilson look slightly fat and Ricky who compounded his mistake of making a bathing suit by throwing a shiny muumuu on top of it. Also, as my girl Erica pointed out, the swimsuit made his diva look like she had a penis. Yikes.

Since this was a difficult challenge to gauge from a fashion perspective (Michael Kors felt as out of place as the pope in a sex club) I mostly didn't find the judges comments as relevant or as insightful as they usually are. That being said, they were absolutely right in pointing out that Chris had made a garment that looked expensive (cool hoodie!) and that Ricky completely missed the mark.

Which is why I was glad to see Chris win (also because Christian's ego doesn't need to be inflated anymore). Not only is Chris probably the nicest contestant this side of Sweet P, but, even though he was visibly thrilled, his sense of humor remained in tact ("of course I won the tackiest challenge"). Also, maybe his diva will take his advice and smother her opponents with her boobs for her finishing move. Meanwhile, this was yet another second-place finish for Christian (which I ALWAYS enjoy because of his "I just shit a brick face").

At first I thought the judges may have been holding out on giving him wins to keep the competition even, but then I realized that he actually made the same jacket with the puffy shoulder for about the 20th time. I wish the judges wouldn't critique Rami for doing the same thing over and over again, while giving Christian a free pass.

Speaking of Rami, I actually thought he deserved to be in the bottom two with Ricky instead of Sweet P. In the end, it was Ricky (rightfully! Finally!) going home. He did so without crying and his dignity intact (except for the stupid hat). Actually, I'm convinced the only reason he didn't cry was because his body just isn't physically capable of producing more tears.

So what'd you think of this episode? Does Sweet P have ANY chance of making it to the top 3? Were you as shocked as I was that Ricky didn't cry once he was eliminated? Finally, how the hell did Christian — the "skinny-armed twit" — beat Sweet P at arm wrestling?