WWE Performance Center Is Now Known As The Capitol Wrestling Center, Triple H Comments

Triple H held a media call earlier this week and teased a "game changing" look and feel at tonight's 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."

The TakeOver Pre-Show begins at 6:30 pm ET with the main card starting at 7 pm ET.

WWE Announces 2018 Mae Young Classic

WWE today announced that Mae Young Classic 2018 will take place Wednesday, Aug. 8, and Thursday, Aug. 9, from Full Sail Live in Orlando, Fla., with tickets available tomorrow at 10 a.m. ET/7 a.m. PT via www.nxttickets.com.

The tournament, named after WWE Hall of Famer and one of the greatest WWE Superstars in history, Mae Young, will once again feature 32 of the top female competitors from 12 countries participating in a single-elimination tournament. The second annual event will stream exclusively on WWE Network later this summer.

"We are thrilled to once again present the Mae Young Classic and provide a global showcase for 32 of the top female talent from around the world," said Paul "Triple H" Levesque, WWE Executive Vice President, Talent, Live Events & Creative. "Last year's event was a significant milestone in WWE's Women's Evolution, and I am confident this year's event will break even more barriers."

Additional information on Mae Young Classic 2018 will be announced in the coming weeks.

Six Years Ago Today, NXT Relaunched At Full Sail University

Today has marked a very special anniversary for the WWE, as it has been six years since the revamp of NXT, with episode one airing June 20, 2012. 

The relaunched focused of new stars and establishing NXT as it's own brand, instead of the reality-competition style of NXT which launched in February 2010.

The results for the show were: 

Bo Dallas defeated Rick ViktorThe Ascension (Conor O'Brian and Kenneth Cameron) defeated CJ Parker and Mike DaltonTyson Kidd defeated Michael McGillicutty

A lot has changed since then, with Viktor joining the Ascension as well as Cameron and Parker being released.

In addition, Mike Dalton has gone on to become Tyler Breeze, with Michael McGillicutty becoming Curtis Axel.

Rich Brennan Says Vince McMahon Was Never at NXT Shows

“Never in [Full Sail]. On the main roster, he was always there on the road. Talked to him a handful of times, never had any long conversations with him, a couple of seconds or a minute here or there. At the big shows, he’d pop up. The San Jose show before WrestleMania, Brooklyn, Dallas he was there. As far as coming down to the Performance Center in Florida, I never saw him down there. It’s kind of Triple H’s building.”

Video: Meet the competitors of the WWE Cruiserweight Classic

Notes on Tonight’s WWE Cruiserweight Classic Taping; Accident Causes Delay, Seating Chaos, Top Names Backstage, More

-The show was delayed from its original start time as, according to officials in the arena, there was a traffic accident that delayed some fans getting to the arena and they didn’t want to start the taping with a half-empty house. While there are conflicting statements going around about this, with some suggesting that WWE was covering for a low turnout, local news reports confirm that there was a serious two-lane blocking accident in the Orlando area slowing down traffic considerably.

-Because of the delay and fans arriving late, there was a bit of an issue with seating in the building. Apparently close to the original start time, arena workers had started to tarp off areas and move people into hard camera seats to fill in gaps. However when people began to arrive late, it caused a problem with many of their seats already being taken, and workers having to rearrange reserved seating sections to accommodate for the chaos.

-Both Smackdown announcer Mauro Ranallo and Daniel Bryan, who will be co-hosting the tournament together, received huge reactions from the crowd when introduced.

-WWE did a live stream introducing all of the CWC competitors on their Facebook account, which you can check out at this link.

-There were several WWE and NXT names backstage for the taping, including Finn Balor, Corey Graves and Becky Lynch, Hideo Itami and Funaki (who is still with the company doing Japanese commentary for the PPV’s). Obviously Triple H was also backstage in production as well.

-They will be taping four episodes at tonight’s taping event which will include all 16 of the first round tournament matches. We are hoping to have a bracket for what the second round will look like later tonight.

-Possibly killing the rumor of a WWE Cruiserweight Championship return that has been floating around since the announcement of the tournament several months ago, Mauro Ranallo noted during the Facebook-exclusive talent parade earlier tonight that the winner would receive a Cruiserweight Trophy. No mention of a championship of any kind.

WWE Announces Upcoming NXT TV Tapings And Next NXT TakeOver Event Date

WWE announced that they'd set dates for upcoming television tapings as well as the next NXT TakeOver: Live special, both from Full Sail University.

NXT will return to Full Sail for television tapings on May 19 and June 9th, with the NXT TakeOver special, which hasn't been named, going down on Wednesday, June 8. This will be the first special event from Full Sail since October's NXT TakeOver: Respect.

More Details On WWE’s Global Cruiserweight Series

The new WWE Global Cruiserweight Series is currently scheduled to start airing Wednesday nights on WWE Network beginning July 13th at 9 p.m. EST, right after NXT airs.

The tournament will feature 32 participants, and the whole thing is expected to be filmed from June 20th through the 24th at Full Sail University in Orlando. The tapings would likely see two episodes taped per night, and the finals of the series would air on WWE Network on September 14th. It was noted that the idea for the tournament is to make it an annual event.

As far as the qualifying matches go, they are expected to be taped, but might not air in full on WWE Network. As of right now WWE production teams would not be involved with shooting the qualifiers, and the promotions hosting those matches would provide the footage.

Progress Wrestling, Revolution Pro Wrestling and EVOLVE Wrestling have been announced as qualifying match hosts so far.

Details On WWE Global Cruiserweight Series Tapings

The WWE Global Cruiserweight Series tournament will be filmed over five days during the week of June 20th from Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida, according to PWInsider. As we've noted, tournament qualifying matches will be held at upcoming EVOLVE, PROGRESS and Revolution Pro indie events.

WWE Awards More $10,000 Scholarships To Full Sail Students, Triple H Comments

WWE sent us the following this afternoon:

WWE® AWARDS $180,000 IN SCHOLARSHIPS TO FULL SAIL UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Winter Park, Fla. and Stamford, Conn., November 19, 2015 – WWE (NYSE: WWE) is pleased to announce it has awarded four $10,000 scholarships to the following Full Sail University students:

* Joanne Castillo, a Recording Arts student from San Jose, CA.

* Travis Daniels, a Film student from Buford, GA.

* Brandon Mojica, a Sports Marketing & Media student from Bronx, NY.

* Kas Soloman, a Recording Arts student from Gahanna, OH.

WWE has now awarded 18 scholarships to Full Sail University students, for a total of $180,000 since WWE's partnership with Full Sail began in May, 2012. These scholarships are applied toward the recipient's areas of study within the university.

"WWE and Full Sail University have established a partnership built on our mutual desire to nurture and build the next generation of entertainment and media professionals," said Paul "Triple H" Levesque, WWE Executive Vice President, Talent, Creative & Live Events. "We wish all of today's scholarship recipients continued success."

"We are once again proud to stand alongside our valued partners and friends at WWE as we share this incredible announcement of the latest four scholarships awarded to our students," said Garry Jones, President of Full Sail University. "On behalf of the Full Sail University community, I extend our tremendous thanks to WWE for continuing to recognize the dedication of our students, while congratulating the recent scholarship recipients."

WWE selected Castillo, Daniels, Mojica, and Soloman to receive these scholarships for exhibiting exceptional professionalism, creative talent and maintaining good academic standing, while shadowing professional WWE staff and crew during the production of NXT® events at Full Sail University.

Main Event Announced for the Next WWE NXT Live Takeover Special, Date of the Special Revealed

WWE is currently holding a set of NXT TV tapings at Full Sail University, and it was announced during the tapings that the next live NXT Takeover special will happen on May 20th at Full Sail University.

It was also announced at tonight’s NXT tapings that the main event of the special will be Kevin Owens (c) vs Sami Zayn for the NXT Title.

WWE On E:60 Air Date

As we noted last year, ESPN was at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando and the NXT TV tapings at Full Sail University early last year filming for a feature on their E:60 program. Jim Ross stated last year on ESPN's Front Row that the producers of the show were "allowed crazy access," and that he expects a masterpiece. The show will air on ESPN2, May 5th.

Triple H Talks Changes In Wrestlers Over The Years, His Biggest Accomplishment Outside The Ring

Date for Next WWE NXT Takeover Special

The next live WWE NXT Takeover special from Full Sail University will be on Thursday, December 11th.

Video: WWE COO Triple H discusses the success of NXT TakeOver

WWE Performance Center anniversary, other marks set under Paul Triple H Levesque

It’s been a little over a year since the state-of-the-art WWE Performance Center officially opened its doors in Orlando.

Celebrating its one-year anniversary this summer, just how are things going?

Well, Bray Wyatt & the Wyatt Family (Luke Harper and Erick Rowan), Dean Ambrose, Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Lana, Bo Dallas, Summer Rae, Adam Rose, Emma, Xavier Woods, Rusev and Paige transitioned from developmental to developed, reaching WWE status via sports entertainment training at the center. The Ascension (Konnor and Viktor), Bayley, Tyler Breeze, Charlotte, Adrian Neville, Mojo Rawley and Sami Zayn are currently standing out in NXT while training WWE style at the center, and recently, WWE signed Fergal Devitt, Kenta Kobayashi and Kevin Steen, three talented wrestlers who will train the WWE way at the center.

The vision of Paul Triple H Levesque came to fruition on July 11, 2013 with a special ceremony to showcase the new WWE Performance Center, where WWE’s future began.

Levesque’s idea was inspired by the Timex Performance Center, the main headquarters and practice facility of the New York Giants at Meadowlands Sports Complex, where WWE held WrestleMania 29 in 2013.

Levesque visited the facility prior to WrestleMania 29 Week, and that’s how WWE’s center evolved.

The WWE Performance Center is above and beyond most -- if not all -- pro sports teams’ centers. Since its opening, personnel from the NFL’s Tampa Bay Buccaneers as well as other pro organizations visited WWE’s crown jewel for facility and training tips. All were impressed.

With 26,000 square-feet, seven training rings, a world-class strength and conditioning program and cutting-edge edit and production facilities, the Performance Center allows 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 WWE Performance Center represents the guaranteed future success of our company, providing the next generation of WWE superstars and divas with a world-class facility to call their home,” Levesque said during the opening in 2013. “The venue offers our developmental talent a full training experience with real time feedback from WWE coaches, trainers and directors, giving them the resources they need to develop their talent both athletically and creatively.”

Florida Gov. Rick Scott even attended the grand opening in a non-election year.

Talent can also perform, wrestle in a quality facility at Full Sail Live at Full Sail University in Winter Park, near the WWE Performance Center in Orlando. Full Sail Live provides hi-tech production capabilities for NXT shows on WWE Network. That gives NXT superstars and divas a Raw or SmackDown feel, preparing them better for working a TV broadcast (live or taped) for WWE.

In an interview in May, Levesque said: “I look at the opportunity for NXT from a learning perspective for everybody who touches our business, top to bottom. We [also] train camera guys. We train audio techs. We train lighting crew. We train directors and producers, all of it. For them to have the opportunity to work side-by-side with our key players and also have the opportunity to do it live on a quarterly basis, there’s a whole different buzz level.”

The WWE Performance Center features a Dream Team of coaches, trainers, producers and staff, including Dusty Rhodes, Terry Taylor, Sara Amato and Bill DeMott.

source: miamiherald.com

News on Attendance at WWE's NXT TV Tapings

Thursday night's WWE NXT TV tapings from Full Sail University were sold out again. After the show had started, Full Sail staff members began filling up any empty spot with chairs as more fans were coming in. A fan attending NXT TV tapings and live events across Florida regularly and said this was one of the biggest NXT crowds she's seen.

Full Sail President talks about partnership with WWE NXT

Brian Fritz of The Orlando Sentinel is featuring an article with quotes from Full Sail University President Garry Jones talking about the two year anniversary of Full Sail's partnership with WWE to produce NXT programming.

"The relationship between Full Sail and the WWE is one of those rare situations when you first meet someone and are impressed and as time goes on you’re even more impressed with the people. The WWE has people of their word: they do what they say and when they say it. It’s extraordinary."

Orlando Sentinel: NXT Wrestling has found a home at Full Sail

Video: Full Sail And WWE Celebrate Two Years Of Partnership

Triple H's Twitter Q&A Highlights: NXT Takeover, Who To Watch, Proof That NXT Works, Sami Zayn, More

Which match is he most excited for tonight? "has to be split between Kidd/Neville and Charlotte/Natalya. Zayn/Breeze isn't far behind."

Who is the mega-star to look out for in NXT? "NXT Champion Adrian Neville, Sami Zayn, Baron Corbin and Alexa Bliss"

Who has been the best example that the NXT system works? "look no further than Bray Wyatt"

Which Takeover star will be a future WWE Champion? "they will all be prepared for it. Right now? Adrian Neville."

When will we see Sami Zayn and Adrian Neville on the main roster? They are two of the best young talents right now. "they absolutely are. When the time is right. The goal is to make sure everyone is prepared on EVERY level."

Which NXT star do you hope to face one day? "I hope none of them! But if I had to pick one to work with today? @iLikeSamiZayn"

Do you see NXT as a developmental system or more of a brand? "it's both. It's clearly it's own brand but is definitely a launching pad to Raw, Smackdown, and WWE main roster."

Are you a lemon or a Rosebud? "that depends on the day!"

Are you concerned that people might work on NXT but fail to transition onto the main roster? "always a concern, we give them the tools but Success or failure depends on the talent. If it was easy, anyone could do it."

Is Full Sail University going to be the main location for NXT or are there any plans to take it elsewhere? "Full Sail is an amazing partnership, we're thrilled with it. We hope that Full Sail remains NXT's home for years to come."

What do you think is the biggest key to success these athletes need to learn in the business? "Confidence in the ability to let go and not just pretend to be something - but to actually be something."

If NXT was around when you came to WWE would you have wanted to gone through that or straight to the big time? "the journey that my generation had is different than this one has. NXT and the PC were designed to give them everything they need."

Is there anyone on the NXT roster that you would compare to yourself? "Lot of talent based on hunger to succeed and their passion."