WWE Performance Center

The WWE Performance Center is the official professional wrestling school system for American professional wrestling promotion WWE. WWE currently operates two Performance Center locations, which serve as training facilities for WWE wrestlers, as well as sports science and medical facilities. The first branch, located in Orlando, Florida, was opened on July 11, 2013. The second branch, located in Enfield, London, opened on January 11, 2019.[1]

WWE Performance Center
FoundedJuly 11, 2013 (2013-07-11)
FounderWWE 
Headquarters5055 Forsyth Commerce Road, Orlando, Florida, United States
Unit 30/31, Great Cambridge Industrial Estate, Lincoln Road, Enfield, London, England, United Kingdom
Key people
Paul "Triple H" Levesque
(EVP, WWE)
William Regal
(VP, Talent Development and Head of Global Recruiting)
Canyon Ceman
(Senior Director of Talent Development and Talent Scout)
Matt Bloom
(Head Trainer)
OwnerWWE
WebsiteWWE Performance Center

History

Today The Performance Center is home to WWE’s talent developmental system, NXT.[2] The facility covers 26,000 square feet (2,400 m2) and includes seven training rings (including a special padded ring for high-flying moves), a strength and conditioning program, edit and production facilities including an ultra-slow camera, and a voice-over room that performers and on-air announcers can use to practice.[3][4] The facility was opened in 2013 and replaced the training center at WWE's former developmental territory, Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), which was based in Tampa and had been serving as WWE's developmental headquarters since 2008.[4][5][6]

The Performance Center trains around 65 to 70 wrestlers at any one time. Trainees have a variety of experience levels, from beginners from non-wrestling backgrounds to experienced wrestlers from the independent circuit. Wrestlers train to improve their in-ring performance, strength and conditioning, as well as working on their characters and personality. Upcoming referees, ring announcers, commentators, and backstage interviewers also train at the Performance Center. The trainees train full-time, while also performing at weekly NXT house shows and appearing on NXT television. In addition, established WWE Superstars often use the facility for training and injury rehab while mentoring new trainees.

The Performance Center uses former wrestlers as trainers. The inaugural head trainer was Bill DeMott, who departed the company in 2015 and was replaced by Matt Bloom.[7] Other trainers include Sara Amato, Robbie Brookside, Norman Smiley, Adam Pearce, Mike Quackenbush,[8] and Sarah Stock.[9] Dusty Rhodes was responsible for developing the trainees' microphone skills and wrestling personas until his death in 2015.[10] The Performance Center includes some guest trainers, including Kevin Nash and Scott Hall.[11][12][13]

In addition to training contracted performers, the Performance Center is also regularly used for tryouts which operate on an invite-only basis and include athletes from a wide variety of backgrounds, including established domestic and international professional wrestlers, amateur wrestlers, NFL and NCAA American football players, and individuals from a range of other sporting and non-sporting backgrounds.[14][15][16]

A second Britain-based Performance Center opened in Enfield, London on January 11, 2019.[1] In April 2019, WWE announced plans to open additional Performance Centers in India and China.[17]

On March 12, 2020, WWE announced that live episodes of Raw and SmackDown would air from the Performance Center without an audience until further notice beginning with the following day's episode of SmackDown due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which resulted in the suspension of many professional sports leagues; the company had begun filming episodes of NXT without an audience the previous day.[18] On March 16, it was announced that WrestleMania 36, set to take place on April 5 and previously scheduled for Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, would instead be moved to the Performance Center, again without an audience.[19] The Performance Center would subsequently also host Money in the Bank and Backlash.

Locations

United States

The first WWE Performance Center facility was opened on July 11, 2013. The Performance Center replaced the training center at WWE's former developmental territory, Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), which was based in Tampa and had been serving as WWE's developmental headquarters since 2008.[5]

United Kingdom

The British branch is located at the Great Cambridge Industrial Estate in Enfield, London[20] and was opened on January 11, 2019.[1] The center is 17,000 square feet and includes 2 rings.[21] The school will be used to train potential future professional wrestlers from across the globe.[22]

2015 shooting incident

On August 31, 2015, Orange County Sheriff's Office deputies shot 29-year-old Armando Montalvo outside the Performance Center after he threatened them and charged at them. Montalvo was "obsessed" with female wrestler AJ Lee and made numerous attempts to trespass through the facility, despite an injunction against him by WWE.[23][24] Days after the shooting, Montalvo claimed he was bipolar when he was questioned by detectives. He faced trial in February 2016 on charges of aggravated assault, resisting an officer with violence, and trespassing. A public defender representing Montalvo has entered a written plea of not guilty on his behalf.[25]

On April 19, 2018, WWE filed an emergency restraining order against Montalvo after he returned to the Performance Center the previous month and harassed the employees. In addition, Montalvo posted a threatening message to WWE wrestlers and staff on his Instagram account.[26] On May 7, 2018, Montalvo was arrested for missing his court date with WWE.[27]

See also

References
  1. "WWE opens London performance centre as part of international expansion". Sky Sports. Retrieved 14 January 2019.
  2. "New WWE Performance Center Opening - Yahoo! Finance". Finance.yahoo.com. 2013-04-18. Retrieved 2013-09-07.
  3. "Jim Ross comments on the WWE Performance Center, working with the NFL, Jake Roberts suffers a relapse". Prowrestling.net. 2013-06-28. Retrieved 2013-09-07.
  4. "World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.: A New Beginning for WWE®". WWE. Retrieved 13 May 2014.
  5. Medalis, Kara (2016-01-04). "10 things you didn't know about the WWE Performance Center". WWE.com. Retrieved 2016-01-25.
  6. "WWE opens training center at Full Sail". CFN 13. Retrieved 12 July 2013.
  7. Medalis, Kara (2016-01-04). "10 things you didn't know about the WWE Performance Center". WWE.com. Retrieved 2016-01-25.
  8. https://torontosun.com/sports/wrestling/through-adversity-came-bliss-for-wrestlemania-35-host
  9. Medalis, Kara (2016-01-04). "10 things you didn't know about the WWE Performance Center". WWE.com. Retrieved 2016-01-25.
  10. Medalis, Kara (2016-01-04). "10 things you didn't know about the WWE Performance Center". WWE.com. Retrieved 2016-01-25.
  11. "Former Wwe Diva Returns As Guest Trainer". PWInsider.com. 2013-11-11. Retrieved 2016-01-25.
  12. Ferrer, Mike (2013-12-01). "Ex CampeĂłn de la NWA irĂa al WWE Performance Center". Super Luchas. Super Luchas. Retrieved 2016-01-25.
  13. "Exclusive: How an indie icon ended up at the WWE PC". www.wwe.com. Retrieved 2016-02-20.
  14. "Former Nfl Star Talks About His Wwe Tryout, Sandow Does A Good Deed, Miz To Hangout, This Week'S Nxt And More". PWInsider.com. 2013-11-22. Retrieved 2016-01-25.
  15. "Wwe Looks Back At Smoky Mountain Wrestling, Zbyszko Talks, Performance Center And More". PWInsider.com. 2013-12-13. Retrieved 2016-01-25.
  16. Johnson, Mike (2014-01-28). "International star at the WWE Performance Center". Pro Wrestling Insider. Retrieved 2014-01-28.
  17. "WWE To Launch New Version Of WWE Network "Later This Year;" Other Notes From Business Partner Summit | Fightful Wrestling". www.fightful.com. Retrieved 2019-05-09.
  18. Blanchette, Rob (March 13, 2020). "Report: WWE Moves Raw on '3:16 Day,' Featuring Stone Cold, to Performance Center". Bleacher Report. Retrieved March 13, 2020.
  19. "WWE statement regarding WrestleMania 36". WWE.com. 2020-03-16. Retrieved 2020-03-16.
  20. "Intelligent Insight — Glenny Databook Q3 2018" (PDF). Glenny. 1 March 2019. p. 8.
  21. "WWE® Opens First International Performance Center". AP NEWS. 11 January 2019. Retrieved 14 January 2019.
  22. "WWE Performance Center to be opened in India: Triple H". in.news.yahoo.com. Retrieved 14 January 2019.
  23. "Man shot by deputies at WWE Performance Center had previous problems, friend says". WFTV. August 31, 2015. Retrieved September 2, 2015.
  24. "Man who was 'fixated on female wrestler' shot by deputy outside WWE Performance Center, sheriff says". WESH. August 31, 2015. Retrieved September 2, 2015.
  25. Davis, John W. (November 23, 2015). "Video shows man shot by deputy at WWE Performance Center". Bright House Networks. Retrieved December 2, 2015.
  26. "WWE Gets Restraining Order Against Poop-Smearing Fan". TMZ. April 19, 2018. Retrieved April 20, 2018.
  27. Carrier, Steve (May 7, 2018). "WWE Performance Center Stalker Arrested Again!". Ringside News. Retrieved April 10, 2019.
Preceded by
MetLife Stadium		 Host of WrestleMania 36
2020		 Succeeded by
SoFi Stadium
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