Tag: WWE Performance Center

Triple H Reveals WWE is Building a “Bigger and Better” Performance Center in Orlando

Paul “Triple H” Levesque has had a busy week, popping up everywhere from The Pat McAfee Show to Tony Hinchcliffe’s Kill Tony taping, all while overseeing WWE’s huge crossover weekend in Las Vegas. Between WrestleMania 43 being announced for Saudi Arabia, the blockbuster WWE x AAA Worlds Collide event, and the Canelo Alvarez vs. Terence Crawford fight tied to TKO’s Saudi partners, The Game has been at the center of it all.

During his Vegas trip, Triple H joined Shannon Sharpe and Chad “Ochocinco” Johnson on their Nightcap podcast, where the conversation turned to WWE’s future and the development of the next generation of stars. That’s when the Chief Content Officer revealed some major news — WWE is currently building a new Performance Center in Orlando.

The existing facility, which first opened in 2013, has been the hub of WWE’s developmental system and home to NXT. Over the years it’s gone through upgrades as the brand evolved, and it’s also been central to WWE’s plans for a global talent pipeline, bolstered recently by the AAA acquisition, partnerships with TNA and Evolve, and the NIL/ID programs.

With WWE now part of TKO, there’s been speculation about relocating more operations to Las Vegas and possibly tying into UFC’s Apex facility. But according to Triple H, that’s not the case for developmental — Orlando will remain the home base.

“It’s in Orlando,” Triple H confirmed. “We’re in the process of building a new one now in Orlando — it’ll be even bigger and better.”

While no additional details were given, the comment signals that WWE is making a serious investment in its talent system. Given how much WWE has emphasized international expansion and cross-promotion lately, fans can expect the upgraded Performance Center to play a key role in shaping the company’s future stars.

Former Impact Star Taya Valkyrie Reports To The WWE Performance Center, Rick Steiner’s Son

Former Impact Wrestling Knockouts Taya Valkyrie has reported to the WWE Performance Center in Orlando to begin training under her WWE NXT contract.

Valkyrie, who is married to RAW Superstar John Morrison, officially reported for training today and is to be announced in the next WWE Performance Center Class, according to PWInsider.

Regarding the new WWE Performance Center Class that reported for training today, F4Wonline.com reports that around 30 men and women are included in the class.

WWE is expected to officially announce the new Performance Center Class any time this week, possibly tomorrow afternoon.

Below is the updated list of confirmed names that reported for training today:

* Taya Valkyrie – 37 years old, longest-reigning Impact Knockouts Champion in history, married to John Morrison

* Parker Boudreaux – 18 year old college football star, compared to a young Brock Lesnar

* Bronson Rechsteiner – 23 year old former football player, son of Rick Steiner

* Angela Arnold – known as AQA, trained by WWE Hall of Famer Booker T

* Christian Brigham – known as Christian Casanova

* Anthony Henry – 36 year old former EVOLVE star

* Christian Hubble – known as Blake Christian

* Karissa Rivera – second generation talent, daughter of Steve King. Appeared on RAW as Bobby Lashley’s “ex-wife” once

* Zoey Stark – formerly known as Lacey Ryan, recently debuted on NXT TV and worked the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic

* Cora Jade – formerly known as Elayna Black, recently debuted on NXT TV in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic

* Gigi Dolin – formerly known as Priscilla Kelly, recently debuted on NXT TV in the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic

Rumored names expected to be confirmed for this WWE Performance Center Class this week include LA Knight (now working NXT but not confirmed for this specific class, fka Eli Drake), Harlem Bravado, and Sareee.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE Performance Center Experiences Another COVID-19 Outbreak

There was reportedly another COVID-19 outbreak recently at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida.

According to Dave Meltzer of The Wrestling Observer, the outbreak happened on Friday and people who were at the facility, whether they tested positive or negative, were asked to quarantine for two weeks due to contact tracing

Meltzer’s report did not name any specific talents or personnel who were placed under quarantine. However, he reported that the outbreak included people scheduled for this Wednesday’s special episode of NXT Halloween Havoc. As a result, “aspects of the show are going to have to be changed,” he added.

The report also noted that none of the regular fixtures on NXT television have tested positive.

WWE has yet to respond to reports of the latest outbreak.

As of this writing, a total of 100 fans were scheduled to attend the tapings at the Capitol Wrestling Center. They were scheduled to be tested for COVID-19 in Winter Park, FL, Tuesday night and were to be allowed to attend the tapings only if they cleared the test. This has been the weekly procedure since NXT allowed fans back on the shows recently.

The special Halloween Havoc edition of WWE NXT is scheduled to have an eight minute overrun on the USA Network.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE Performance Center Is Now Known As The Capitol Wrestling Center

Triple H held a media call last week and teased a “game changing” look and feel for NXT TakeOver: 31.

“So this Sunday’s TakeOver will have a very unique look and feel, something totally different that hasn’t been done so far,” Triple H said. “You’ll find out more on Sunday, but it will be very unique, and I think hopefully, at least for us, game changing.”

It was later reported WWE was moving all NXT tapings — including tonight’s TakeOver — from the NXT Arena on the campus of Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida to the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. Since RAW and SmackDown headed to the Amway Center (WWE ThunderDome) that left the WWE PC available for NXT.

Sports Illustrated is reporting the Performance Center has a newly remodeled TV set, and will now be known as the Capitol Wrestling Center. This is a tribute the the Capitol Wrestling Corporation, founded by Jess McMahon in 1953 and run by Vincent J. McMahon.

“It’s a historic callback to where this all began,” Triple H said about the new name. “We gutted the Performance Center and it’s now rebuilt, so it feels like we’re going back to the beginning. To me, it feels like we’re going back to 1953. Just like then, we’re doing something different and new, taking the business to a whole new level.

“The Capitol Wrestling Center captures the feel and the vibe of NXT. We will have all the bells and whistles of the ThunderDome, but we’ll keep that NXT feel. It’s edgier, darker and raw — you’re walking into the ultimate heavy metal soundstage.”

Along with the virtual fans, there will be fans in attendance in a limited capacity of around 100 people at tonight’s show.

“There will be a contingent of fans in attendance, some of which will be talent, others will be friends and family and some will be fans,” Triple H stated. “We will take every safety precaution that there is. All of this was signed off by our medical staff. Everybody that walks in the building will be PCR tested, take a questionnaire and be medically screened. There will be plexiglass pods with fans that are in groups, and the groups will vary in size. Everyone will wear masks, and each group will never be near anyone else.”

Triple H also noted there was talk of running NXT at the ThunderDome, but he was resistant as he wanted NXT to keep its own unique feel. The move to the Capitol Wrestling Center does not mean WWE’s relationship with Full Sail has ended.

“We are not severing our relationship with Full Sail,” Triple H confirmed. “I’m very proud of all we’ve done there. This move is the right decision for us from a tech standpoint, but I look forward to returning there soon and the partnership remains strong.”

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE To Launch A Performance Center In Japan Soon

WWE is expected to launch their Japan Performance Center soon.

The announcement of the new WWE Performance Center in Japan is expected to come in the next few months, possibly around the summer time if everything goes as expected, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. WWE returns to Osaka and Yokohama in July for three live events, so it’s possible the announcement coincides with that tour.

WWE has reportedly reached out to WWE Hall of Famer Antonio Inoki and Hiroshi Hase about the political situation surrounding the new PC in Japan. Hase, a semi-retired pro wrestler who once held the WCW International World Heavyweight Title, was named the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in 2015.

It was believed that WWE would be working with Pro Wrestling NOAH for the new expansion in Japan, but NOAH was sold to the CyberAgent media company earlier this year.

The new report did not mention if there will be a WWE NXT Japan brand to go with the new Japan Performance Center, but that has been rumored for some time now.

The WWE Japan Performance Center will be the third PC for the company. The main Performance Center in Orlando, Florida was launched in July 2013 and the UK Performance Center in London, England was launched in January 2019.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE Confirms Tito Ortiz Recently Trained At The Performance Center

WWE has confirmed MMA legend Tito Ortiz trained at the Performance Center last week.

WWE confirmed the news to ESPN on Thursday after Tito’s training session was first reported by the Wrestling Observer.

No additional details have been made public at this time, but this would not be Tito’s first time getting involved in professional wrestling. He was most famously part of the #August1Warning angle at Impact Wrestling which ultimately led to him joining Aces and Eights.

Tito’s 2013 TNA stint did not last long, however, as he was pulled by Bellator due to a scheduled fight.

Ortiz’s last MMA fight in December was a win over former WWE star Alberto El Patron with his old WWE title belt on the line.

Tito’s team had no comment when asked about the training session by ESPN.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

The Rock Shares Footage Of Simone Johnson Wrestling At WWE Performance Center

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson shared a video on Sunday of a brief guest coaching session he did at the WWE Performance which shows the first in-ring footage of his daughter Simone.

The video begins with The Rock saying he had about 4-5 hours to visit the PC and see his daughter Simone Johnson train. Dwayne also says there’s only one place he’d trust his daughter learning to wrestle, and that’s with family aka The McMahons.

As we previously reported, the 18-year-old fourth generation wrestler recently signed with WWE.

In the footage, Simone is seen trading moves in the ring with Deonna Purrazzo as The Rock and most of NXT’s female roster watch on. He then asks to show them something and offers advice to his daughter in regards to what he had just seen.

Simone explains in an interview that is shown how it’s been great having her dad advise her and that he lets her find her own path, while also giving guidance when he can.

Dwayne Johnson is also shown taking questions from the PC trainees.

The video ends with The Rock and Simone preparing to lock up in the ring together, as well as Dwayne lifting her up for a vertical suplex.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

The Rock’s Daughter Begins Training At WWE Performance Center

WWE announced that Simone Johnson – the daughter of WWE great Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson – has begun training at the WWE Performance. If she makes it to the main roster, she will become the first 4th generation wrestler in history as her grandfather Rocky Johnson and her great-grandfather “High Chief” Peter Maivia also competed for WWE. Rocky Johnson and Maivia are both WWE Hall of Famers.

“It means the world to me,” Johnson said. “To know that my family has such a personal connection to wrestling is really special to me and I feel grateful to have the opportunity, not only to wrestle, but to carry on that legacy.”

“Simone Johnson’s unbridled passion and incredible drive has earned her a coveted spot training with the elite athletes from around the world at the WWE Performance Center,” said Paul “Triple H” Levesque, Executive Vice President, Talent, Live Events & Creative. “Not only does Simone now have an opportunity to cultivate and display her passion for WWE within the Performance Center, but she’ll carry on the tradition of her incredible family lineage while creating her own impact as WWE’s first fourth generation Superstar.”

Johnson will join the diverse group of Superstars in training at the Performance Center, learning from a coaching staff that includes legends of the squared circle, led by Head Coach Matt Bloom and Assistant Head Coach Sara Amato.

“Simone knows she has a lot to learn,” said Bloom. “She’s hungry to learn and picks the coaches’ minds, and the veteran Superstars’, as well. She’s not going to rest on her laurels. It’s been a short time, but she’s been crushing it.”

“Simone is a wonderful girl,” Amato added. “She’s like a sponge, it’s pretty amazing. She knows what it takes to succeed and all the hard work and sacrifice that goes into it. I wouldn’t have expected anything less.”

https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1226931688573415426

 

Scarlett Bordeaux And Three Other WWE Signings Confirmed

Former Impact Wrestling star Scarlett Bordeaux has officially signed with WWE and is now training at the WWE Performance Center.

Bordeaux’s signing had been rumored for weeks, but was finally announced Tuesday morning.

She joins the Performance Center alongside three other new recruits:

  • Shotzi Blackheart, who was offered a contract by William Regal last month at an EVOLVE show
  • Indi Hartwell, a 22-year-old standout on the Australian scene
  • Referee Stephen Smith, who graduated from OVW and worked in EVOLVE

As you’ll recall, Scarlett was released from Impact in June. She attended a private WWE tryout months later and was locked down with a deal shortly after.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

Austin Theory And Santana Garrett Report For Duty At WWE Performance Center

WWE announced the latest batch of Performance Center trainees on Wednesday, which includes EVOLVE wrestler Austin Theory and Women of Wrestling star Santana Garrett.

As you may recall … Theory made his WWE Network debut on the recent EVOLVE 10th Anniversary Celebration and Garrett was a competitor in the first Mae Young Classic tournament.

The additional new signees, announced by WWE.com, are as follows:

  • Tehuti Miles: U.S. Army vet and Division I football player
  • EJ Nduka: Former professional football player who played in the CFL, IFL and AFL
  • Aleksandar Jaksic: Trained by Santino Marella and Alex Wright
  • Briana Brandy: Aspiring hip hop artist who has years of ninjutso/extreme CrossFit experience
  • Rita Reis: Jiu-Jitsu world champ and multi-time medalist in Jiu-Jitsu and judo.
  • Marcos Gomes: 260-pound trainer in Jiu Jitsu, boxing and Muay Thai
  • Catalina Garcia aka Chilean wrestler “La Diva del Ring”

CLICK HERE for photos and more information on each new signee.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet