WWE.com has published an interview with Performance Center newcomer Nikki Storm (Nicole Glencross). Here are some highlights of what she said about:
What fans can expect from her:
“They’re going to witness something they haven’t seen before. They’re going to witness The Best in the Galaxy doing what she does best. They’re going to witness The Best in the Universe. They’re going to witness why I’ve wrestled on every single continent, why I’ve wrestled all over the world and why NXT chose me to be a part of their Women’s division.”
Wwrestling around the world & the advantages that will give her in WWE:
“For me, the good thing about traveling and wrestling across all these different countries is it makes you really grow as a person. It helps your wrestling grow, it helps your skill grow, it gets you used to working with different styles, different people — you really have to adapt. At the same time, when you go to somewhere like Japan, America, Canada or anywhere in Europe, you also still can’t forget why they brought you there in the first place. You very much still have to be able to adapt, but also be yourself and bring stuff to the table.
Also, as I touched on earlier, you grow as a person, I think. The more life experience you can have, I think it’s very good and helps a lot. The important thing is holding on to what you are and what brought you to the table, but also to adapt, because, in wrestling, you never know what to expect, so you have to be very open-minded. You have to go with the flow and fight for the stuff that you really want.”
Finn Balor is fueling the speculation that members of the Bullet Club, the organization he used to lead, are headed to WWE. News broke on Monday that several top names ‘gave notice’ to New Japan Pro Wrestling, including AJ Styles, Shinsuke Nakamura, Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson.
WWE is even getting in on the action, addressing the speculation and tweeting photos of AJ Styles and the Bullet club.
As exciting as all of this is, we should all keep our expectations grounded, because there is still no confirmation that any of the departing NJPW stars have signed with WWE. That said, the reigning NXT Champion is patiently waiting for the arrival of his old pals. Or just trolling.
WKMG-TV in Orlando has obtained footage from the Performance Center shooting back in August. The video aired on their local newscast on Monday, and showed the moments leading up to a deputy shooting a crazed fan outside the building.
The trespasser is 29 year old Armando Montalvo, who had been showing up to the Performance Center multiple times. He at the time was reportedly “fixated” on an unnamed female NXT performer who was not present on the day of the incident. The police knew who the suspect was, as he has a criminal record involving violence and robbery. The police were called that day after he showed up to the Performance Center “acting deranged” with a knife.
He got shot in the chest after charging at a deputy. The video ends right before the shot is fired. His father would later tell investigators that Montalvo suffers from bipolar and manic depressive disorders.
Montalvo already had an injunction barring him from the WWE Training Center due to prior incidents. Montalvo had applied for a job but was rejected. In the newly released video footage, you can hear Montalvo yelling “Why don’t you train me to become your undisputed, best, NXT wrestler of all (expletive) time?”
Montalvo is out on bond and is scheduled for trial in February at the Orange County Courthouse.
It looks like WWE may be bringing back Nick “Eugene” Dinsmore in some capacity in the near future. There has been communication between WWE and Dinsmore recently, however we don’t know if they are talking about a talent job or another stint as a coach at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida.
It was reported back in September that Dinsmore was working on launching his own independent promotion and wrestling school in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Dinsmore worked as a coach at the Performance Center for about a year before being released in October of 2014. He was considered to be a good trainer and was well liked by everyone when he was released last year. At the time, there was a theory going around that he may have ended up on the wrong side of someone politically speaking.
Dinsmore commented to AngryMarks.com last year shortly after his release from the company:
“I’ve been with NXT for the past year and its been a phenomenal experience. I’ve grown as a coach, as a performer, as a business man, it was a great experience. I just wasn’t the right fit for this time, and I understand that but ‘never say never’ brother because I’ve been back to WWE three times so you never know that’s gonna happen in the future.”
He also spoke about whether or not politics played a role in his release:
“Honestly I don’t know. I didn’t do anything I felt on my part to get fired, but that’s the way big business goes sometimes – sometimes you just don’t get an answer. There was no ill will, I didn’t burn a bridge, I didn’t do anything wrong so – I’m actually happy just to be able to get out and start performing again and make a splash on the independent scene.”
Tough Enough finalist Zamariah “ZZ” Loupe was at the WWE Performance Center working out in the ring on Monday, according to PWInsider.com. No confirmation yet as to whether he has signed with the company.
Aside from Tough Enough winners Josh Bredl and Sara Lee earning one year $250,000 WWE contracts, finalist Amanda Saccomanno has reportedly signed on to be a cast member in the next season of Total Divas, which is currently in production.
– Brock Lesnar celebrates his 38th birthday today. Lesnar was born on July 12, 1977.
– Randy Orton granted a Make-A-Wish prior to last Monday’s RAW in Chicago, Illinois. Below is a photo of Orton with the kid, courtesy of the official WWE Community Twitter page.
– Today marks the two year anniversary of the opening of the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. The official NXT Twitter page tweeted the following:
As reported recently, WWE Tough Enough will be returning soon to the USA Network. The belief is that the new season will begin airing after WrestleMania 31. It’s also believed that the show will be taped at the WWE Performance Center in Florida.
Before the plans for a Tough Enough return were nixed last summer, WWE’s idea was to have only developmental talent on the show, however based on the recent casting call that was issued, pro wrestling experience does not seem to be a necessary requirement to apply.
It was noted that the new season of Tough Enough will have some format changes as compared to past seasons of the show. All we know about the changes thus far is that the new season will have some live, interactive elements to it.
There’s no word yet as to who the coaches will be for the show. Bill DeMott noted on social media recently that he will be on the show, but other than him, no names are floating around yet.
WWE wanted Steve Austin to return to host the show when they were planning to film it in 2014, however his name has not yet been attached to the new season.
WWE is currently in the early stages of testing out virtual reality technology.
The annual Consumer Electronic Shows (CES) convention is currently underway in Las Vegas and WWE Chief Strategy & Financial Offer George Barrios broke the news during a “Masters of Trailblazing Content” seminar.
According to virtual reality blog VRFocus.com, Barrios told the audience that WWE is currently testing VR content at the WWE Performance Center in Florida, but the technology is still a long way from being ready for a consumer rollout. Barrios said:
“It’s very, very early days… it’s very expensive; the amount of cameras and post-production needed. We’re early days on what the content might be. We saw the live content – Cirque du Soleil – and we were blown away.”
Other companies currently developing VR content include the NBA, Artists Den, Skybound Entertainment.
The following are highlights of a new Finn Balor interview from The Score:
On being in WWE: “It’s kind of like the culmination of 14 years hard work. At the beginning, I just wanted to have a wrestling match, and I did that in England. I just took it step by step and to be here in WWE — it’s a real feeling of achievement. But now that I’m here, I want to achieve more. So this is the beginning of a whole new chapter for me. It’s been an incredible experience so far and I’m just looking forward to seeing what happens in the future. WWE is the biggest wrestling company in the world, and it is that for a reason.”
On learning at the WWE Performance Center: “The coaches here include Billy Gunn, Matt Bloom, Norman Smiley and Terry Taylor… So there’s just a wealth of experience to learn from. It’s really been like the floodgates have opened for me. The amount I’ve learned in the last three or four months here has surpassed what I learned in the past three or four years before that.”
On the busy schedule in NXT: “The schedule here [is manic]. We’re working six days a week. We train in the ring three hours in the morning and an hour and a half in the weight room in the afternoon Monday to Friday. Then Thursday, Friday and Saturday we have shows in the evening where we’re competing. So there’s very little free time to get home, and at the moment, it’s all eyes on the prize, and training to build my career in NXT.”
– Kevin Owens made an appearance at the non-televised NXT live event in Tampa, Florida on Thursday night. He cut a heel promo talking about how he didn’t owe the fans any explanation for his recent attack of Sami Zayn and Adrian Neville.
– WWE Hall Of Famer Afa the Wild Samoan is at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida this week, working with some of the developmental talents.
One week after being attacked by Kevin Owens at the NXT Takeover: R Evolution special, WWE has posted a storyline injury update on NXT Champion Sami Zayn. WWE noted that x-rays of Zayn’s spine came back negative, as did a CT scan of his head.
WWE noted that Zayn was diagnosed with “cervical & thoracic muscle strains and held overnight at the Winter Park Memorial Hospital for observation.” They also noted that Zayn is “currently resting before beginning physical therapy at the WWE Performance Center. WWE said he’s expected back in 3-4 weeks.”
– WWE has announced a Chris Jericho “Highlight Reel” segment with Rusev and Lana for tonight’s post-TLC edition of WWE RAW.
– Bad News Barrett was at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida today working out. He wrote the following about it on his official Instagram account: “Lacing ’em up for the first time in six months at the @WWE Performance Center. #BNB #Owwww”
– Former NWA Champion Adam Pearce is back at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida this week working as a guest coach. There’s talk that Pearce may also work as an agent for the NXT Takeover: R Evolution and NXT television tapings later this week.
– Tickets officially go on sale for the first ever “WWE Fast Lane” pay-per-view this Saturday. The show, which replaces the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view on the WWE calendar, takes place on February 22nd from the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee. A promo aired during RAW last night in the Memphis area confirming the new pay-per-view name.
The following are highlights of a new Shake Them Ropes interview with former NXT trainer Nick “Eugene” Dinsmore:
On seeing the WWE Performance Center: “No, this is something that when I first saw it, it blew my mind. I heard they went and looked at the New York Giants facility to see what the standard is for professional athletes, and I feel like the Performance Center far exceeds that.”
On new talent coming in: “There’s a wide variety of talent there, from former professional athletes to actors to independent wrestlers… They’re people that can perform. It’s something special I saw at the Performance Center.”
On KENTA (Hideo Itami) and Prince Devitt’s (Finn Balor) integration into WWE: “Kenta would have English class every day to help with his English. Fergal had apparently never driven a car before, so he would have driving classes. WWE was right there to help anyone who wanted to take a college course to help them with their WWE product, WWE was a very helpful company. Phenomenal.”
WWE Superstar Cesaro spoke with radio personality Sam Roberts about the differences in how he got his start in the wrestling business compared to those starting up at the WWE Performance Center.
“When I started out it was a crappy ring in a cold barn, so you saw who was tough enough to make it or not,” he said. “This is different here. It’s just a different age, so to speak, a different era.”
Cesaro continued, “Those people have different difficulties when they come here because the competition level is so high, so it’s just different. Maybe I’m a little too old school for this, but this is the future and this is what’s happening, and it’s a good thing for WWE fans because they can see the future in front of their eyes.”
– The upcoming line of WWE fitness DVDs featuring Triple H and Stephanie will be titled, “WWE Fit.” The first DVD is due out in November.
– The advertised dark match main event for Monday’s WWE RAW from Brooklyn, New York will see John Cena and Dean Ambrose vs. Seth Rollins and Randy Orton.
– WWE Studios is developing an English-language adaption of French comedy “Les Reines Du Ring.” A DVD of the film will be released next month and features cameos from CM Punk The Miz and Eve Torres.
– WWE is currently working on putting together Fantasy Camps that would allow fans to experience the WWE Performance Center first hand. The company sent out a survey to their “Fan Council” mailing list over the summer and it looks like they got a good response.
– The Winner Twins, who became best-selling authors at the age of 12 when they released “The Strand Prophecy,” have taken the Ice Bucket Challenge and challenged WWE Divas The Bella Twins to douse themselves in ice water to raise awareness for ALS. You can check out the video at Paul Heyman’s HeymanHustle.com site.
– Guam Olympic wrestler Jeff Cobb had a tryout at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando this past week. He told Guampdn.com:
“It was pretty much two-a-day workouts of just killing us and seeing if we were going to quit,” he said via telephone from his home in California. “There was a lot of people that had to sit out for a bit, be it from dizziness, cramping, aches and pains, but everybody made it through the three days, some better than others.
Cobb, 32, said getting a tryout in front of Bill DeMott, Billy Gunn and Dusty Rhodes was right up there with the Olympics as one of the biggest moments of his life.
“(The tryout) was one of the coolest things I’ve done in my life,” he said. “Being able to be there and seeing these guys you see on TV, seeing these legends that are there watching you do your craft and giving me feedback. It’s amazing.
“… The Olympics is one thing and pro wrestling is another thing. Both experiences are my top two so far, personal and professional.”
“… Everything was challenging. I took about five ice baths over the three days. It was great, but I was so beat up and sore.”
– WWE will be taping their “Tribute to the Troops” special for this year on December 10th.
– Independent wrestlers Rich Swann and Jeff Cobb were among those who took part in the latest WWE tryout camp at the Performance Center in Orlando this past weekend.
– WWE will premiere a preview special for NXT Takeover 2 on the WWE Network this Thursday at 4pm EST. There will also be a NXT Takeover 2 “Kickoff Show” prior to the special on September 11th.
Jim Varsallone of The Miami Herald has added several new videos from the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida to his official YouTube channel. Below are a few of them.
Trainer/Producer Sara Amato at WWE Performance Center 2014
“Sara Amato is breaking ground in sports entertainment as the first female trainer in WWE. A world-renowned wrestler who traveled the globe for more than a decade as Sara Del Rey, Amato trains the women at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando. She is molding and shaping them into NXT’s Divas with the ultimate goal for them to become successful WWE Divas. Hard working, professional, talented, tough and beautiful, Amato could have focused on being the next WWE Diva but opted to train aspiring WWE Divas.”
Charlotte, Sara Amato, NXT Divas at WWE Performance Center 2014
“NXT Divas champ Charlotte works out with other developmental talent at the state-of-the-art WWE Performance Center in Orlando. They are the future of WWE’s Divas Division, being trained by Sara Amato (former wrestler Sara Del Rey), the first female trainer in WWE. She is preparing the lovely and talented ensemble for sports entertainment via NXT shows that are featured on WWE Network.”
Nick Dinsmore, NXT Superstars at WWE Performance Center 2014
“WWE developmental talent work on their in-ring entrance at the state-of-the-art WWE Performance Center in Orlando. Nick Dinsmore (former WWE superstar Eugene) is one of the trainers as part of a Dream Team of coaches, trainers, producers and staff at the center. He helps establish and transition today’s NXT superstars into the company’s sports entertainment genre via NXT shows on WWE Network from Full Sail Live at Full Sail University in Winter Park, near Orlando.”
NXT Corey Graves at WWE Performance Center 2014
“NXT superstar Corey Graves is a solid talent on the roster. Don’t let this long-time wrestling fan go under the rader. He’s worked well against members of The Shield, Bray Wyatt & The Wyatt Family and Adrian Neville. A former NXT tag team champion, Graves has an edgy look, complete with plenty of tattoos. Willing to learn all facets of the business, he is an alum of the Funkin Conservatory under the guidance of WWE Hall of Famer Dory Funk Jr. in (Central Florida) Ocala.”
Back in July, it was reported that WWE was planning on filming a new season of their old reality show — Tough Enough — at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. Eventually, those plans were delayed due to budget cuts stemming from financial issues regarding the launch of the WWE Network.
In the latest update regarding Tough Enough, the most recent talk was that the company was going to shoot the new season in the fall, however in recent weeks there have been no discussions about filming the show at all.
The budget for the return of Tough Enough was said to be greatly reduced this past week and then later on, plans to bring back the show were dropped altogether.
There is no definitive word as to whether or not WWE still intends on bringing back the reality show concept on the WWE Network in the future, however as things stand now, there are no plans for the show to return.
WWE.com has published Michael Cole’s weekly sit down interview with WWE COO Triple H. Here are some highlights:
– When asked about Stephanie McMahon’s “arrest” on RAW, Triple H said he has been advised not to speak about the case because of “pending legal action.” Cole asked how she was and Triple H got upset, telling him to move on.
– Triple H said he picked “Plan C” Brock Lesnar to face John Cena at SummerSlam because he guaranteed the WWE Universe that Cena would not leave the event as WWE World Heavyweight Champion. He’s going to fulfill that guarantee and Lesnar is the man who will help him keep his word. He assured Cole that Lesnar will get the job done.
– Cole asked about putting WWE’s biggest franchise Superstar in the ring with the man who may have ended The Undertaker’s career. Triple H said Lesnar vs. Cena is best for business and the WWE Universe wants to see Cena have the best possible competition. His job isn’t to protect Cena “because he sells t-shirts.” He added that said WWE has relied on Cena for years, but the company will move on when the time comes. If Lesnar ends Cena’s career, so be it.
– Cole congratulated Triple H on the one year anniversary of the WWE Performance Center in Orlando. Triple H said it has been an amazing year and the Performance Center is a big step into the future for WWE. He said that WWE’s future is bright and the wrestlers using the Performance Center have advantages that previous generations never had.
The new season of WWE Tough Enough, which was scheduled to air on the WWE Network, was to begin filming this weekend at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando. According to reports, the filming has since been pushed back until October. The delay of Tough Enough production is said to be part of WWE’s recent budget cuts.
As noted recently, Vince McMahon ordered tens of millions of dollars in budget cuts across all over WWE’s departments. It has since been revealed that approximately $20 million is the figure that is expected to be sliced from the budget.
– WWE is holding a tryout camp for potential future Divas at the Performance Center in Orlando, Florida this week. The word going around is that most of the women trying out are models that have been specifically recruited, and are not experienced female wrestlers.
– WWE recently pinned an article regarding Superstars who quit to the official Facebook page of CM Punk. In the latest subtle social media jab, WWE has used Punk’s Facebook page to promote an article regarding Superstars who “sold out.” The title of the post reads, “SUPERSTARS WHO SOLD OUT and broke our hearts in the process!!!!”
Former Ring of Honor World Champion Kevin Steen has officially signed with WWE, according to an exclusive report at WrestleZone.com.
Steen has been on WWE’s radar for quite some time and was rumored to be headed to NXT this summer after impressing company officials at a recent tryout camp.
Steen will be finishing up his independent bookings before heading to the WWE Performance Center. He currently has shows booked through June.
According to recent reports, things are said to be moving slowly in regards to the return of WWE’s “Tough Enough” reality a show, a program that the company noted would be part of the WWE Network package in the near future.
Filming for the show was reportedly supposed to begin during the first week of July at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, however it is being said now that the date could be pushed back.
Additionally, key talent WWE has under consideration for cast members of the show are not locked in yet and timing is starting to become an issue.