Rumor Mill - WWE Officials Considering a Significant Change to NXT Tapings

WWE officials have been talking about making the NXT TV tapings at Full Sail University bi-weekly instead of monthly so the last episode of the taping isn't a month old by the time it airs.

This potential change has to do with NXT's popularity increasing thanks to the WWE Network, but also has to do with continuity issues when they have to insert new segments, such as JBL stripping Paige of her NXT Women's Title last week.

WWE Working To Take Developmental On The Road

Triple H was asked on Twitter about the possibility of taking NXT on the road outside of Florida and said, "Working on it". He made it clear that he was talking about house shows only and said that they would continue to only tape TV at Full Sail University.

WWE Awards Another $10,000 Scholarship to Full Sail University Student

WWE Provides Second Full Sail University Scholarship

World Wrestling Entertainment (NYSE: WWE) in conjunction with WWE NXT at Full Sail University in (Central Florida) Winter Park awarded a scholarship to a Full Sail University student on Thursday, May 2 before a WWE NXT TV taping at the university’s state-of-the-art studio.

WWE awarded the $10,000 scholarship to Allison Iliev

This is the second time WWE provided a scholarship to a deserving Full Sail University student. Since WWE started its agreement with Full Sail University in May 2012, students have been working with the WWE production team in various capacities before, during and after the WWE NXT television tapings.

Full Sail Live at the university is the television home of WWE NXT which features future WWE superstars and divas. WWE NXT, which is broadcast internationally, streams on Hulu Plus in the United States.

WWE selected Iliev for exhibiting exceptional professionalism and creative talent, while shadowing WWE staff and crew during the production of NXT at the college, as well as maintaining good academic standings. The scholarship will be applied toward her studies in the Creative Writing for Entertainment Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree Program.

“It’s a real honor to be recognized by WWE,” Iliev said. “WWE is where I aspire to be when I graduate.”

WWE Executive Vice President, Talent and Live Events Paul Levesque (Triple H) and Full Sail University President Garry Jones presented the scholarship, on behalf of WWE, in a ceremony that kicked-off the latest taping of WWE NXT at Full Sail Live.

“We are pleased to award this WWE scholarship to Allison Iliev, a very deserving student with a bright future,” Levesque said. “The unique partnership between WWE and Full Sail is helping build WWE’s next generation of talent, both in the ring and behind-the-scenes.”

Jones added: “WWE’s commitment to education is unmatched. This partnership has yielded many extraordinary experiences for our students and helped to enrich our hands-on educational approach.”

WWE NXT tapings are open to the faculty, staff, students and general public at a minimal fee which helps benefit the scholarship fund. In September, the first WWE scholarship was awarded to Full Sail University student Geraldo Gutierrez...More?

source: miamiherald.com

WWE to Sponsor Full Sail University’s 4th Annual Hall of Fame Week

Triple H, WWE Full Sail Ahead

Anytime Full Sail University President Garry Jones walks around his campus, people take notice — especially when giving a tour to WWE Executive Vice President of Talent and Live Events Paul Levesque.

You know him better as Triple H, and so do the students and staff at Full Sail.

“The first time I toured Triple H across the campus, I was shocked to see the students saying, ‘Oh my God. It’s Triple H,’” Jones said. “They flocked to him. Our employees did, too. There were assistants, vice presidents coming out of their offices saying, ‘Could I get a picture with Triple H? I can’t believe he’s on our campus.’

“It’s been amazing to watch how embracing and how thrilled, not just the students but our faculty and staff are, too, about this whole relationship.”

WWE NXT, featuring the future superstars and divas of WWE, is taped at the state-of-the-art Full Sail Live studios inside Full Sail University in Winter Park, near Orlando. The accredited college is an entertainment media institution, developing students for movie, music and television industries as well as working with giants like ESPN and now WWE.

“From the very onset of WWE approaching us and saying we’ve got an idea that we think is going to be amazing,” Jones said. “From that first conversation all the way though to today — we’re about seven months into the relationship — I’ve been impressed with how this organization to the person follows through, follows up.

“They do what they say they’re going to do. They move with integrity, and it’s just been such a refreshing and great partnership between Full Sail University and WWE.”

More?

WWE Awards $10,000 Scholarship to Full Sail University Student During NXT Taping

WWE today awarded a $10,000 scholarship to Geraldo Gutierrez, a Full Sail student, as part of their ongoing partnership. The partnership provides students at the University with the opportunity to gain real-world experience producing WWE NXT® series which showcases WWE’s brightest young talent as they battle to become the elite WWE Superstars of tomorrow.

The scholarship will be applied toward Gutierrez’s studies in the Recording Arts, Bachelor of Science Degree Program. WWE Executive Vice President, Talent and Live Events, Paul Levesque awarded the scholarship on behalf of WWE in a ceremony held to kick-off the latest taping of the WWE NXT series at Full Sail Live.

WWE selected Gutierrez to receive this scholarship for exhibiting exceptional professionalism, creative talent and maintaining good academic standing, while shadowing professional WWE staff and crew during the production of NXT at the University.

“This is a great moment for our students and the University,” said Garry Jones, President of Full Sail University. “This scholarship is a testament to WWE’s commitment to and its belief in the importance of education in the entertainment and media industry.”

“It is a tremendous honor to have been selected for this scholarship,” said Gutierrez. “I am so grateful for this incredible opportunity.”

“Education is a key pillar of WWE’s corporate social responsibility platform,” said WWE Executive Vice President, Talent and Live Events, Paul Levesque. “We are proud to award the first of many scholarships to Full Sail students and thrilled to be able to continue enhancing the University’s classroom learning with this unique hands-on experience.”

In May 2012, WWE and Full Sail University announced a collaborative partnership that moved the live tapings of the WWE NXT series to the University’s state-of-the-art performance venue. Full Sail University students, staff, faculty and the general public have been invited to attend the live tapings on the campus, with proceeds benefiting the scholarship fund.

In addition to the scholarship announcement, the event featured a salute to all the Full Sail students who have participated in the production of WWE NXT live events this year. The evening’s taping included a special appearance by 10-time WWE Champion John Cena®.

WWE Stars Announced for Next NXT Taping at Full Sail

Full Sail University announced Monday the full list of advertised WWE stars for the next NXT TV taping on Thursday, June 14 - World Hvt. champion Sheamus, Sin Cara, Hunico and Camacho, and WWE Divas. Jim Ross is scheduled to call matches.

source: FullSailBlog.com

Triple H Receiving Praise For NXT Tapings At Full Sail University

Last Thursday was the first NXT and FCW taping at Full Sail University which was produced by Triple H. This was the first big project Triple H had control over with no involvment from Vince McMahon.

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter is reporting the tapings ran smoother than a typical RAW or Smackdown taping. It is said word going around in the company is constant compliments for how well Triple H handled all aspects of being in control.

Jim Ross Ross Says He Will Be At First Full Sail Taping; Role TBD

WWE announcer Jim Ross says he will be part of the first WWE TV taping at Full Sail University in Florida Thursday, but his role has not yet been determined. "The future of the WWE lies within the Talent Development program and I am blessed to be able to help in that area in any way that the company sees fit," Ross wrote in his latest blog on jrsbarbq.com before traveling to Florida. "My role has yet to be outlined but I think I can assist in many areas and I'm excited to devote my time and energies to helping develop the young stars of tomorrow."

More on WWE NXT Filming at Full Sail Univ; WWE Press Release

WWE and Full Sail University announced today an innovative partnership that moves live tapings of WWE NXT® series to Full Sail Live, the university’s state-of-the-art performance venue, and creates a new student scholarship fund.

Beginning May 17, 2012, students of the university’s entertainment-focused degree programs, including Film, Show Production, Digital Arts and Design, Internet Marketing and Entertainment Business, will have the opportunity to gain real-world experience working with WWE, a leader in global entertainment, to produce NXT.

Throughout the taping schedule, Full Sail University students, staff, faculty and the general public will be invited to attend the live tapings on the campus. All proceeds from ticket and merchandise sales will go towards a scholarship fund for students enrolled at or planning to attend Full Sail University.

"WWE has always been a leader in creating superstars in front of the camera. Now, with this unique partnership with Full Sail University, WWE will develop stars behind the camera as well,” said Paul “Triple H®” Levesque, Executive Vice President, Talent and Live Events for WWE. “With the opportunity to host events at Full Sail's top-notch facilities and the chance to tap into Full Sail's greatest resource, its students, we are excited to provide real-world experience while giving us a fresh, creative perspective from ambitious students."

“As a leading entertainment and media focused institution we are delighted to announce this remarkable new collaboration, which highlights WWE’s commitment to education and advanced growth in the entertainment industry and Full Sail’s commitment to bringing industry-leading organizations directly to our students,” said Ken Goldstone, Chief Operating Officer for Full Sail University. “We look forward to sharing this incredible experience with our students, the entire Central Florida community and the millions of WWE fans worldwide.”

WWE NXT airs in more than 60 countries worldwide and also on WWE.com. WWE NXT showcases WWE’s brightest young talent as they battle to become the elite WWE Superstars of tomorrow.

It looks like Paul Levesque's title has changed. This press release lists him as EVP, Talent & Live Events.

WWE Making Major Change To NXT Tapings Beginning Next Week

WWE NXT will be graduating to its own tapings, combined with WWE developmental Florida Championship Wrestling starting on Thursday 5/17 at 7 PM.
The tapings will be held at Full Sail University in Winter Park, FL (near Orlando) at the Full Sail Live gym. Tickets for the tapings will be free to FSU staff and students with ID as long as they reserve the tickets in advance. No word yet as to how the general public can attend.

I am told one of the reasons the tapings, which will be branded as "WWE Superstar Showdown", are being moved are to make it easier to integrate WWE developmental talent into the mix for NXT. The hope is that the University feel will give the show a chance for better crowd reactions as well as help upgrade FCW TV to a "grander" look than the FCW Arena in Tampa can provide. The plan is to upgrade NXT and give it more attention as opposed to it being a secondary show on the Smackdown tapings.

HHH is behind the moves and will be very involved with the tapings. He was said to be a big fan of the facility when he and other company executives, including Kevin Dunn and Stephanie McMahon scouted last year.

This past December, WWE filmed several potential pilots at the facility and signed an exclusivity deal with the University to prevent any other wrestling-related events from being held there. Full Sail is an entertainment media university with state of the art production facilities.

Triple H is advertised for the initial taping, which will also feature Sheamus vs. Alberto Del Rio and R-Truth & Kofi Kingston vs. Epico & Primo.

Currently scheduled tapings:

May 17, 2012
June 14, 2012
July 5, 2012
July 19, 2012
August 9, 2012
August 23, 2012
September 6, 2012
September 20, 2012

source: pwinsider.com

FCW Moving Some TV Tapings To Orlando, Florida

WWE developmental Florida Championship Wrestling will be moving their TV Tapings to Full Sail University near Orlando, FL starting Thursday 5/17.

WWE has signed an exclusive contract with the facility to insure they are the only wrestling promotion running there.

There have been plans and discussions to move tapings there since they ran a very quiet pilot taping several months back. The company has booked dates in the venue through September currently.

WWE developmental will still run the FCW Arena in Tampa regularly and will continue using it for TV Tapings as well.

source: pwinsider.com

Updated Details from WWE’s Pilot Tapings in Florida

As noted earlier this morning, WWE quietly held tapings at Full Sail University in Florida earlier this month with FCW and WWE Superstars. The one-hour content filmed would be for a new Network show on WWE’s developmental territory while the thirty-minute show filmed would be something that focuses on one specific match or rivalry. All episodes filmed were pilots and may never be aired.

In addition to Triple H being there to oversee things, John Laurinaitis was also there. Triple H even came out and cut a promo to the crowd. The University was used to make the FCW product look better on TV but also as a test run for doing a more potentially “intimate” WWE show for the Network.

WWE Event at Full Sail University

A WWE event was held at Full Sail University in Winter Park, FL this week:

Check out this great event, open to Full Sail students and faculty only:

It’s a Florida fight night as WWE invades the Full Sail University campus on Wednesday, December 7, 2011. This powerhouse event will completely transform the Full Sail Live venue and feature an appearance and special welcome message from WWE’s own Triple H. The night will include a WWE Superstar Showdown, “The Great White” Sheamus & Daniel Bryan face off against “WWE Intercontinental Champion” Cody Rhodes and Drew McIntyre! In addition, the WWE Divas will compete and WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross will be on hand to call the action!

WWE and Full Sail University will be videotaping this event and we invite all Full Sail University staff and students to witness this sunshine state showdown. Want to sit ringside? Wear your favorite WWE shirt and bring your most creative wrestling sign, you could find yourself closer to the action than you ever imagined!

WWE Superstar Showdown
Full Sail Live Venue
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Doors 6:45pm
Event 7:30pm
Tickets: Free to all Full Sail Staff and Students with Full Sail I.D.

WWE at Full Sail University

WWE Executives Triple H, Stephanie McMahon, Kevin Dunn, John Saboor, Ty Bailey, and Pete Leone visited Full Sail University in Winter Park, FL on August 3rd. Full Sail University has built a reputation as one of the premier art, music, and film schools in the world and recently implemented a Creative Writing for Entertainment degree program.