Triple H On If He Can Face Brock Lesnar At Extreme Rules, New Training Center, More

Triple H recently took a second to talk with Brian Fritz of Between the Ropes about the opening of the new performance center in Orlando. Here are some highlights from the interview.

How long it's taken to get to this point: "Well we've had a developmental system and it's been kind of growing over the years but when I took this over a few years ago and it was one of my biggest things. Like I said earlier today, the superstars are the future of what we do. That's our one IP, it's our one product. It's what all of what we do is based on and it's creating new. It's the future. It's what we have to do. So to me, it's the biggest thing we do. I come at it from an in ring performer standpoint, so for me it's everything we are. When I looked at it I thought we are not, as a company, doing all we should be doing to create that and that started this vision. Then as we were kind of walking down that road we got to meet the folks at Full Sail and Gary and Ed and everybody and created that relationship and it's just blossomed from there. Creating the long term relationship with them allowed us to do this three miles down the road. It's all synergistic with each other and I think it's, you have visions of where you want to go in the future. You kind of have to change them as you go, but so far it's kind of gone down a path that I think, I hate to say it's what I was planning or it's what the WWE was planning, but it really is. We've kind of ended up in that place and we're really excited about it because it is a giant step for us in securing the future of our industry."

If he has anything more he wants to do with WWE developmental: "Well for me, one of the ideas is no matter where we go or what we do in addition to this, this for me would be the hub. If you were any place on the globe, wanting to get to the WWE, your destination of where you want to get to get there should be Orlando and to this facility. No matter what we do, [for example] when we go to England, we're doing it now, this Monday we're in London for TV, we'll be looking at talent there when we're Europe. You know, if there are people that we think have the ability then we work on bringing them here and we'll be working on bringing them to Orlando to train here. It truly is global and it's bringing them from everywhere, but this will be the hub. I can guarantee that."

What the recruiting process is like and how the facility will help: "Well, I think it helps tremendously. I'll just go through amateur athletics here. If you're talking to a kid that's maybe in the NFL or has just left the NFL, he wants to be in the WWE or he's looking to end his NFL career, he wants to be in the WWE. He's played his whole life, played football but been a big fan, got a larger than life personality, great fit for us, but he's been to a major high school in a major football program. He's trained in a D1 college. He went from a D1 college to a pro team where he was playing for the Giants and playing in the Timex Center, let's just say. He leaves that. Walking in the door here, and I've been all over the US to those training facilities, walking in the door here will be equivalent to walking into any training facility. You have to keep that level of what you are and the WWE is a massive global entertainment promotion. When you look at what we do with Wrestlemania, it's a Superbowl, it really is. We just did Wrestlemania in New York New Jersey. 80000 people. We'll do hundreds of millions of dollars of economic impact. It's massive. 300+ global shows a year seen in 150 countries. All of it. This facility now, walking in the door, rivals anything else on the planet for training and when you walk in here you know you're in a first class organization, top to bottom."

How his arm is doing following the Lesnar match: "It's good. Unfortunately I'm supposed to be wearing a splint on my hand and should have been wearing when I put the hammer through the wall. I wish I had been a few minutes ago. It's good. I have nothing broken in there. I just have a lot of swelling in my hand and it's just going to take a couple weeks to get the swelling up."

If he'll be good to go in a couple weeks against Lesnar again: "I should be, yeah. I should be."

Video: WWE Press Conference Announcing New Performance Center in Orlando

New WWE Performance Center Opening

Opening this summer, the WWE state-of-the-art Performance Center will serve as the new home to WWE’s talent developmental system, recently re-branded NXT® and create nearly 100 high-wage jobs in Orlando, Florida.

With 26,000 square-feet, seven training rings, a world-class strength and conditioning program and cutting-edge edit and production facilities, the new Performance Center will give WWE the ability to train more potential performers than ever before through a comprehensive program including in-ring training, physical preparedness and character development. The new center will be the training ground for talent that includes former professional and collegiate athletes, Olympians and entertainers, and will offer a best-in-class sports medicine program creating a central location for all WWE talent to receive the best care both in and out of the ring.

“Our economy has created nearly 300,000 new private sector jobs in just over two years, meaning that thousands of Florida families now have the opportunity to pursue their dreams,”
said Governor Rick Scott. “WWE could have chosen anywhere in the world to house this new global performance center – and they chose the Sunshine State. Today’s announcement that WWE will create nearly 100 more jobs for families in Central Florida is further proof that everything we do is geared towards job creation and it’s working.”

“We are so excited that WWE has chosen to establish its training and talent development operations in Central Florida,” said Teresa Jacobs, Mayor of Orange County. “In addition to strengthening our burgeoning entertainment production industry, the WWE Performance Center brings high-value jobs, capital investment and continued economic expansion to our area.”

Today’s announcement solidifies WWE’s presence in Orlando and evolves WWE’s partnership with Full Sail University. Last year, WWE and Full Sail announced an innovative partnership that moved live tapings of WWE NXT series, WWE’s weekly one-hour show that broadcasts on WWE.com and in more than 60 countries worldwide, to Full Sail Live, the university’s state-of-the-art performance venue. The partnership, which created a new student scholarship fund, also allows students of the university’s entertainment-focused degree programs, including Film, Show Production, Digital Arts and Design, Internet Marketing and Entertainment Business, to gain real-world experience alongside WWE production staff during WWE NXT tapings.

“The WWE Performance Center and our partnership with Full Sail University are critical to the future of our company,” said Paul “Triple H®” Levesque, Executive Vice President, Talent and Live Events, WWE. “Orlando is now the home to the next generation of WWE Superstars.”

"Collaborating with WWE has elevated the education experience here at Full Sail University by creating many opportunities for our students to gain hands-on experience by being mentored by some of the best minds in the entertainment production industry," said Garry Jones, President of Full Sail University. "We are excited to welcome WWE to the neighborhood and can't wait to see what the future holds for this evolving partnership."

WWE Expected to Announce New Development in Orlando

World Wrestling Entertainment, the world's largest promoter of wrestling events, is expected to announce a new development Thursday in Central Florida, according to a release from the Connecticut- based company.

Few details were provided by WWE in the release, but several wrestling-insider websites have speculated that the WWE will open a training facility. According to WrestleZone.com, the facility "will hold five wrestling rings, which will allow for much more ring time for developmental wrestlers."

WWE representatives would not provide any additional details.

The announcement is scheduled for noon Thursday at 5505 Forsyth Commons Road, in an industrial park between East Colonial Drive and State Road 408.

Gov. Rick Scott, Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacobs, WWE executive vice president of talent and live events Paul Levesque (better known as Triple H) and Garry Jones, president of Full Sail University, are expected to attend.

The planned announcement comes less than a year after WWE began taping events at Full Sail University in Winter Park. In May 2012, WWE launched a partnership with Full Sail to shoot its popular "NXT" show at the Winter Park campus.

source: orlandosentinel.com

WWE Gets Serious About Developmental

Rumor Mill - NXT A Third Brand?

Update on WWE's New Training Facility

Stephanie McMahon tweeted the following:

"WWE is investing in development of WWE Superstars like never before...WWE Performance Center opening this June" @TripleH #BPS #WrestleMania

Rumor Mill - WWE Expected to Call Up Top NXT Names After WMania

According to F4WOnline.com, WWE is expected to call at least two top NXT stars up to the main roster after WrestleMania 29. There have been several NXT stars on WWE's radar for main roster call ups for quite sometime now, and it appears the company has been waiting for the busy WrestleMania season to end to debut them on TV.

Regarding the usual post-WrestleMania talent releases, there has been very little talk of talent being released after the big PPV this year.

Video: Triple H is doing his part to help those affected by Hurricane Sandy

Ricky Steamboat no longer coaching in WWE developmental

WWE Hall of Famer Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat is no longer coaching in WWE developmental. Steamboat told everyone goodbye last Thursday night according to a report by Dave Meltzer. He still remains with WWE in the Talent Relations department.

source: wrestling observer

Big Crowd for WWE NXT at Miami-Dade Fair

Logan, a young WWE fan from South Florida, proudly stood ringside posing for a photo with his autographed Bo Dallas cutout cardboard (the life-size version) that he won at the WWE NXT Live Tour show on Saturday, March 30 at the Miami-Dade County Fair.

Even if he didn’t win the raffle drawing of the WWE SmackDown superstar and NXT alum, he would have been happy as NXT once again entertained the masses during the Easter Weekend at The Fair. It was standing room only to see future WWE superstars and divas along with some who already grace the big stage.

Prior to the matches, WWE superstars Brodus Clay and the Prime Time Players (Titus O’Neil and Darren Young) and diva Naomi participated in a meet-n-greet with fans. Clay, Naomi, O’Neil and Young are NXT alums. Photo opts and autographs and crowd control also involved NXT superstars, divas and standout referees Jason Ayres and Darrick Moore.

Miami’s own Norman Smiley, a former national and international star who is currently a trainer and producer for WWE NXT, had a welcome Homecoming with South Florida family, friends and fans. WWE NXT talent Briley Pierce worked the mic, a humorous emcee, and beautiful divas Sasha Banks and Kendall Skye took turns as ring announcers.

The surprise of the show featured WWE superstar Evan Bourne returning from injury. He dazzled the crowd, especially hitting Air Bourne on Rick Victor, who did a good job with the ring-rust proof talent.

The WWE NXT Live Tour, under the direction of Florida wrestling legend Steve Keirn, displays a fun, family friendly environment. The group, a developmental wing of WWE, makes stops throughout Florida and Georgia. Each show involves a meet-n-greet with current and/or future WWE superstars and divas along with music, giveaways, raffles, contests and wrestling matches, of course.

It’s a very good learning ground for the sports entertainment path...More?

source: miamiherald.com

Another Triple H Change To Developmental & Scripts

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter is reporting Triple H is making another change to how the future will be for WWE.

He is starting to do away with word for word scripts and teach the developmental talents how to work with bullet points. This allows each talent to learn how to speak as their character and rely more on their own creative ability versus just reading what someone else wrote for them.

This is how WWE use to be with the characters, having more range, and Triple H is expected to continue to bring more old school elements back to the company.

This Day In Wrestling History

Ring of Honor makes its debut. The show features Low Ki vs. Bryan Daniels vs. Christopher Daniels in the main event.
February 23, 2002

WWE NXT (now called NXT Wrestling) debuted on the SyFy Channel. The episode also doubled as the official WWE debut for Daniel Bryan, David Otunga, Wade Barrett, Heath Slater, Justin Gabriel, Darren Young and Michael Tarver.
February 23, 2010

Update on WWE's New Training Facility

According to PWInsider.com, WWE is in the process of contstructing a new, state of the art training facility down in Orlando, FL. The facility is expected to be operational by September.

Backstage News on the Recent WWE Tryouts

The WWE tryouts at NXT this past weekend were described as grueling as hell and very physical. One wrestler noted that it was the toughest time of his life.

One talent who paid to be in the tryouts quit in the middle of the first day. There were between 10 and 14 injuries suffered over the weekend and a source noted that most of the guys that got hurt were non-wrestling guys who came in thinking they were tough.

No word yet on who will be offered deals but officials at the tryouts said they would be making offers in 2-4 weeks.

Popular wrestlers who attended the tryouts include ROH TV Champion Adam Cole, Maria's boyfriend Mike Bennett, DGUSA star Samuray del Sol, independent star Ricky Reyes, Northeastern wrestler Smith James and Luke Hawx from Extreme Rising. There was talk that Sami Callihan was there but that's not confirmed yet.

WWE NXT Crowns First Tag Team Champions

WWE held another round of NXT tapings on Thursday night from Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida.

During the tapings, Adrianne Neville (formerly PAC) and Oliver Gray won the tournament to crown the first ever NXT tag team champions. They defeated the Wyatt Family in what was said to be a great match, according to our live correspondent.

WWE Developmental Star To Enter Royal Rumble Match

WWE announced that a developmental star will be added to the 30-man Royal Rumble match at Sunday's Pay-Per-View. The entrant will be determined by an eight-man NXT tournament during the Royal Rumble Fanfest Saturday in Phoenix.

The entrants are; Corey Graves, Oliver Grey, Luke Harper (formerly Brodie Lee), Xavier Woods (formerly Consequences Creed), Conor O'Brian, Adrian Neville (formerly PAC), Bo Dallas, and Leo Kruger.

Full Sail Students and Staff Go Behind the Scenes at WWE’s ‘Monday Night Raw’

As part of WWE and Full Sail’s ongoing collaboration, 28 students and staff members were invited to travel to Tampa earlier this month for a behind-the-scenes look at the WWE’s popular Monday Night Raw live event. The group, which included several students who have worked on tapings of the WWE’s NXT program (taped here in Full Sail Live), spent the entire day at the Tampa Bay Times Forum, watching the WWE crew load-in and set up the arena.

The group also took a tour of the various behind-the-scenes aspects of the Monday Night Raw production, including visiting the broadcast trucks (Raw airs live every Monday), the audio and camera departments, makeup and wardrobe, and more. Afterwards, they stayed and watched the show, which featured appearances from WWE superstars The Rock, John Cena, CM Punk, and more.

Since the WWE and Full Sail announced a partnership last year, Full Sail students have had the opportunity to shadow WWE crew members during tapings of NXT. Proceeds from the ticket sales for these tapings have gone towards a scholarship fund established by Full Sail and WWE.

source: fullsailblog.com

Another WWE Developmental Release

WWE has released Brandon Carter, also known as TAC, from his developmental contract. Carter is a former offensive lineman in the National Football League.

FCW Diva Released by WWE

According to pwinsider.com, WWE has released NXT developmental talent Skyler Moon, otherwise known as Buggy Nova. Skyler was signed this past summer to a deal, but took time off to deal with a health-related issue. She had to yet appear on any episodes of NXT television.