WWE Considered An Essential Business By Florida Governor's Office

Orange County, Florida Mayor Jerry Demings was asked about WWE being allowed to continue operations during a press conference today. He said that originally WWE was deemed non-essential, but that changed after some talk with the office of Governor Ron DeSantis.

"I think initially there was a review that was done and they were not initially deemed an essential business. With some conversation with the Governor's office regarding he Governor's [stay-at-home] order, they were deemed an essential business. Therefore they were allowed to remain open."

WrestleMania 36 To Air As A Two-Night Streaming Event, Rob Gronkowski Announced As Host

WWE has announced that WrestleMania 36 will be a two-night streaming event for the first time ever.

WrestleMania 36 will air on Saturday, April 4 and Sunday, April 5 at 7pm ET on pay-per-view and the WWE Network. It will still air from the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, with no crowd.

WWE also announced that former NFL player Rob Gronkowski will be hosting The Grandest Stage of Them All this year.

Gronk, who will be on Friday's SmackDown to push the appearance, took to Twitter and commented on the big announcement.

"It's official! I'm hosting @WrestleMania this year...and it's gonna be too big for just one night. For the 1st time, #WrestleMania will be a [alarm emoji] 2-NIGHT [alarm emoji] event: Saturday, April 4 AND Sunday, April 5 on @WWENetwork! Tell you more this Friday night on #SmackDown at 8 ET on @FOXTV," he wrote.

Below is the full announcement WWE sent to us:

For Immediate Release
WRESTLEMANIA® TOO BIG FOR JUST ONE NIGHT

STAMFORD, Conn. – March 18, 2020 – WrestleMania, for the first time ever, will be held as a two-night event streaming on Saturday, April 4 and Sunday, April 5 at 7 pm ET on WWE Network and available on pay-per-view.

The two-night pop culture extravaganza will be hosted by three-time Super Bowl Champion Rob Gronkowski. Tune in to SmackDown this Friday at 8 pm ET on FOX to see what Gronk has in store for WrestleMania.

As previously announced, only essential personnel will be on the closed set during the production of WrestleMania.

WWE Issues Statement On If Wrestlers And Staff Are Being Tested For Coronavirus

WWE confirmed in a new statement to Sports Illustrated that all company talent and staff are required to participate in medical screenings before entering the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

WWE issued the following statement in response to a question on if talent and staff are being tested for the COVID-19 virus:

"In consultation with WWE Medical Director Dr. Maroon, WWE Associate Medical Director Dr. Dugas and ringside physician Dr. Westerfield, as a best practice and precautionary measure all WWE performers and staff are required to participate in medical screenings prior to entering WWE's training center, which is now operating as a closed set."

Furthermore, SI reports that WWE has established a series of protocols, based on guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to minimize risks and to protect its performers and staff. Due to the lack of testing for those in need, WWE sources close to the situation reported to SI that WWE is not testing people that are showing no symptoms, or asymptomatic.

Triple H Brings Sense of Normalcy, Fun at Time of Great Uncertainty

There was an eery sense of reality that fell over Friday night's show.

The relocation of the show and absence of audience hammered home just how surreal a world we are living in right now. Just when discomfort set in, though, the WWE Universe's dad rushed to its aid and provided a night of unexpected fun and entertainment.

Triple H welcomed the viewing audience to his baby, the WWE Performance Center, and proceeded to join Michael Cole on the headsets for one of the most refreshingly fun and light-hearted commentary performances in recent memory.

He was hilarious, using insider references to break up the monotony that sometimes engulfs the announce position and played off Cole extremely well. He was engaging, took nothing too seriously and even jumped behind a camera while referencing the short-handed nature of the production.

And best of all, he did it all without taking away any attention from the Superstars on the show.

There are fans who will point to the NXT brand as proof that Triple H can run WWE and do so to great success, but there may be no greater example of that than what he was able to accomplish Friday night on short notice and with a skeleton crew to work with.

Without him, the broadcast would most certainly have been an uncomfortable viewing experience for an audience already shell-shocked by what is going on in the world.

source: bleacherreport.com

WWE Statement Regarding WrestleMania 36

In coordination with local partners and government officials, WrestleMania and all related events in Tampa Bay will not take place. However, WrestleMania will still stream live on Sunday, April 5 at 7 pm ET on WWE Network and be available on pay-per-view. Only essential personnel will be on the closed set at WWE’s training facility in Orlando, Florida to produce WrestleMania.

Rumor Mill - WWE Reportedly Moving This Week's SmackDown To The Performance Center Due To Coronavirus

The coronavirus continues to have an impact on the world of professional wrestling.

WWE has reportedly nixed Friday's SmackDown on FOX and WWE 205 Live episodes from the Little Caesar's Arena in Detroit, Michigan due to the coronavirus pandemic, according to PWInsider.

WWE will now broadcast Friday's two shows from the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, where they aired tonight's WWE NXT episode on the USA Network from.

Tonight's NXT episode aired from the Performance Center due to a previously scheduled non-WWE event at Full Sail University, and not because of the virus.

WWE officials reportedly made the decision to make the drastic changes to SmackDown earlier this afternoon due to the outbreak. An official announcement will be coming soon.

There's no word yet on if Monday's RAW will still air from the PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, PA, but we will keep you updated.

2020 Lifetime Achievement Video for Triple H

WWE Hires A New Coach For WWE Performance Center

WWE has hired a new coach for the WWE Performance Center.

According to PWIniser, Christopher Guy has signed a deal to join WWE as a coach at their training facility in Orlando, Florida. Guy has worked with the likes of CM Punk, Colt Cabana and promotions such as Impact Wrestling, Ring Of Honor and Pro Wrestling NOAH.

Guy, has reportedly relocated his family for the job. 

WWE officials were said to be impressed with his work back over the summer for them on their new Netflix project Main Event.

WWE Creating New Quibi Unscripted Series Headlined By Female Superstars

WWE Studios and independent studio Critical Content are producing a new series, Fight Like A Girl, which will air on mobile-first media technology platform Quibi.

According to a press release sent to Wrestling Inc., each episode will feature WWE Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon pairing a WWE female Superstar with a young woman struggling with a personal issue that has been holding her back. The WWE stars will draw from their own life experiences to help their trainees overcome obstacles and become tougher, stronger and healthier versions of their former selves inside and out.

Each episode will be shot at the WWE Performance Center and will feature a stunning transformation and heart-pounding reveal as the women change their lives forever.

Fight Like A Girl is produced by WWE Studios and Critical Content. Executive Producers are Stephanie McMahon, Susan Levison, Ben Zierten and Richard Lowell for WWE Studios, and Tom Forman, Jenny Daly and Jon Beyer for Critical Content.

Triple H Heading To Vidcon

WWE is headed to Vidcon for the first time ever. Triple H announced today that he will be speaking at the big YouTube-related convention in Anaheim next week, discussing the Content Innovation Lab. WWE has success with both of their YouTube channels - the main WWE channel and the WWE Performance Center channel. They also have a hand in running some of the other related channels, such as The Bella Twins and Xavier Woods' UpUpDownDown channel.

"The @WWEPC has continued to grow in all facets, training the next crop of @WWENXT Superstars in every aspect of the business. Excited to discuss the Content Innovation Lab's success and growth opportunities next week at #VidconUS," Triple H wrote.

Robby Brookside And Matt Bloom On The Evolution Of Wrestling

WWE trainers Robby Brookside and Matt Bloom sat with Vulture Hound‘s Lee Hazell & talked about WWE’s new NXT UK Performance Center. The two also talked about how their own training differed from that of today’s WWE Superstars.

Brookside reminisced about what he learned from legendary UK star Johnny Saint, “‘I remember when I was 16/17, a great thing for me is doing a TV match with Johnny Saint and to travel around with him, and he was one of the many that used to go, ‘Slow down!’ Because when you’re young you’re like, ‘Oh I’ve learnt this new move, I want to try and do it.’ Once you get older and you figure it out, you realize it’s just like pouring another pint of water into a pint of beer. You just don’t need it.” Brookside also stressed the importance of being trained the correct way, “It’s hard sometimes when you get someone from the indies who have been trained the wrong way. Their footwork and their balance and their facial expressions aren’t up to it and to try and get them to change that, at times it’s harder to teach them. We got eight Chinese Nationals who couldn’t speak any English, and it was easier in some ways to train them from scratch than getting someone from the indies who’s been working for 12 years. Well, obviously they’ve been going to the wrong places because that’s not how we do things here.”

Matt Bloom didn’t even train in a wrestling ring, “I trained in a boxing ring with one air conditioner in the wall, up four flights of stairs to get there. It was tough, man. It was a lot different than it is now. Actually, Triple H and I trained in the same facility with Killer Kowalski. The training game has evolved a lot.”

Robby Brookside opened up about an early experience has had after he was accused of labeling wrestling as ‘fixed.’  The incident led to a successful career for Brookside, “I got invited, in inverted commas, to a wrestling club on the outskirts of Liverpool – a big factory called English Electric. My mother and father hated wrestling, everyone thought I was a weirdo because I packed in football to watch wrestling. So anyway, my mate went to this amateur wrestler and said ‘That kid down there thinks it’s all fixed.’ He was only a little fella. Then my mate comes back, says we’re invited to a show on Sunday.” Brookside continued, “So, I go up and its strange because people are still working in the factory. So I get to the utility room and there’s a big, old sugar matt with all these old fellas all around. The little fella sees me and gets all excited. I’m 14, he’s 32/33. He says, ‘Right lads, this kid thinks it’s all fixed.’ He tells me to get on the matt. I get on the matt and to this day I have never felt pain like it. I remember I hit the matt as he took me down and I didn’t know where I was. I remember all the dust going in my face. That could probably get a factory closed down now. I could probably get them all charged with abusing a 14-year-old. He ripped my head off my shoulders. My ear was bleeding and it wasn’t very nice. There was just a sink to smother your face and that was it.”

Brookside remained undeterred, “I went, ‘I’m not having it. I’ll go back the next week.’ And they did it again. I went back the third time they decided I had a bit of bottle. But that’s what it was. The facilities were disgraceful. They’d be condemned now. Just being at the Performance Center now and seeing that evolve and the way it grows and grows and grows. Just the facilities that the talent have. The way WWE treats their talent is light years ahead of what we’ve gone through. "

WWE To Launch New Performance Center In The UK

WWE has talked about opening international Performance Centers for some time and it looks like the UK Performance Center is finally about to launch.

WWE UK Champion Pete Dunne, Trent Seven and Tyler Bate just appeared on Good Morning Britain to promote Saturday's WWE NXT UK "Takeover: Blackpool" event and Seven said WWE has launched a new Performance Center in a "secret location" in the UK.

One of the GMB hosts mentioned how Saturday's first-ever NXT UK Takeover special is the set-up for a new "training camp" for WWE in the UK. Seven responded, "We're going to be able to go straight from here to our secret location, our new NXT UK Performance Center, right after this. So fantastic news coming out all the way through the day. The fact that we get to go back, the fact that we've had this investment... for the other wrestlers and the British wrestling fanbase, it's pretty exciting."

Shawn Michaels On His Relationship With Triple H Now, What He Enjoys Most About Coaching At WWE PC

What he enjoys most about being a Coach at the WWE Performance Center:

"For me to have a huge influence or impact on anybody is probably not a healthy thing. It's 30 years later and I still have no idea why this company still has me employed, or is letting me talk or instruct or coach younger talent, because it's obvious that it's not good for the wrestling business in any way shape or form. They're all going to be incredibly bad influences -- and hopefully, that'll all be because of me."

"I always wondered, after wrestling for 30 years, and in a sense never having to have a real job or really have to work a day in my life, what I would do after I was done doing that. Then I get to stumble into this job at the PC, and clearly I still do not have to grow up, which is phenomenal. You get to coach a bunch of other young men who you are encouraging not to ever have to grow up, and you can't beat it."

"I know, on one hand, us old guys are always getting asked to come back and do stuff. But I really am one of those guys that want [to let the young guys take the spotlight]. I'm thrilled with the direction of the WWE and NXT, and I want the business to move on into the future."

Working with Triple H to shape the future with WWE NXT, the evolution of their friendship:

"It's great. For he and I, other than the fact that he's in a suit all the time... it's very much the same relationship we had all those years on the road, that we sort of did in the car. Now we get to do it, in some form, in a much bigger, corporate setting. It's honestly still the same guys, sitting around and driving up and down the road -- that's what we do. It's just that now, somebody is actually driving us, because he doesn't actually drive himself anymore.

"We're sitting in the back, throwing out ideas, writing shows, coming up with creative things of that nature. Look, you cannot beat it -- honestly. I get paid to hang out with my buddy, and it is extremely tough to complain about that. I still have absolutely no idea how I've stumbled into the unbelievably blessed life that I have, but I try not think about it too much, for fear I might wake up one day."

source: espn

New WWE PC YouTube Channel And Series

The WWE Performance Center has launched an official YouTube channel at youtube.com/wwepc. The premiere episode of their new "Arrival" series features WWE NXT Superstar Matt Riddle.

Baron Corbin Discusses Triple H’s Success With NXT

Baron Corbin did an interview with Denver’s KS1075 and discussed Triple H’s impact on NXT:


On Triple H’s influence on NXT’s success: “He’s extremely hands on, and I think that plays in part of the success, with what Triple H has created. Just with the [WWE] Performance Center, and giving these guys the opportunity to be—Shawn Michaels is there now, that’s insane—it’s crazy that you’re given these opportunities in a place like that. The coaches and the quality of the facility; there’s seven rings, a weight room, training staff, rehabilitation for injuries, all of those things. You’re given every opportunity to succeed and Hunter is extremely hands on. He’s there at every NXT taping, every NXT live event, he helps guys grow. He’s one of the greatest there’s ever been, and he’s still going. He’s in touch with what’s going on. He’s competing next week in Australia [at WWE Super Show-Down] against The Undertaker, so you have a guy that’s still in the moment of everything WWE is doing, helping to mold the younger talent. It’s unbelievable.”

WWE Signs Former Knockouts Champion

It's now confirmed that Mia Yim has signed with WWE.

The 2018 Mae Young Classic competitor started with WWE back on Sunday, September 16, according to PWInsider. We noted before that there was speculation on Yim, a former TNA Knockouts Champion, signing after she appeared in a WWE NXT Twitter video from the WWE Performance Center in Orlando.

Yim recently revealed on Twitter that she's dating NXT Superstar Keith Lee. She also revealed she's roommates with Marina Shafir and Jessamyn Duke.

Triple H Offers To Save Toys R Us Mascot With NXT Opportunity

Toys "R" Us is unfortunately officially closed, but before he retires Geoffrey might have a chance to step into a WWE ring thanks to Triple H.

As the store wound down, a photo made the rounds of the store's mascot Geoffrey the Giraffe wearing a hat and sunglasses with a suitcase, apparently on his way to enjoy a nice retirement or at least a vacation. Some fans evidently used that opportunity to place Geoffrey in front of the WWE Performance Center and inside of it too, where the wrestlers of NXT and Tough Enough have trained.

Triple H got a big kick out of the images and took to social media to tease that maybe fans will see Geoffrey in an NXT ring someday.

"Thanks for recommendation. You know what they say, Geoffrey when one door closes...another one opens! #WeAreNXT WWEPerformanceCenter.com."

Odds are you won't see Geoffrey going against Adam Cole or Velveteen Dream anytime soon, but it's nice to know if he wanted to he at least has options.

Triple H Announces Launch of Performance Center Website to Find WWE’s Next Global Star

Beginning today, the WWE is taking another giant step in its international expansion.

The new WWE Performance Center website officially launched this morning, and creates a direct route for anyone seriously contemplating a career with the global leader in sports entertainment. The site, which includes information about the application and tryout process, is the result of a conversation between WWE CEO Vince McMahon and Paul “Triple H” Levesque, who is the Executive Vice President of Talent, Live Events, and Creative.

“The hardest part about this business is there is no pathway,” said Levesque. “We’re creating a pathway. Vince and I spoke about it, and he said, ‘Let’s go do it.’ We are going around the world to look for international stars.”

WWE’s new recruiting website provides nearly every detail for those interested in the company, providing information on how to apply, outlining the steps after a successful tryout, offers a look at the most up-to-date roster, and even shares first-hand insight from WWE talent, like Finn Balor and Charlotte Flair, who thrived at the Performance Center.

“If you want a career in the WWE, here is how to go about it,” said Levesque. “There is advice on what to expect at tryouts and testimonials from people who have careers in WWE. It’s all about creating the pathway, and this will really open the faucet and allow talent to flood in from a global level.”...More?

source: si.com

Final Two Members Of MMA's Four Horsewomen Report To The WWE Performance Center In Orlando

WWE now has all four of MMA's Four Horsewomen working for the company as Marina Shafir and Jessamyn Duke have reported to the WWE Performance Center in Orlando. Ronda Rousey is currently on the RAW brand while Shayna Baszler is the WWE NXT Women's Champion. Shafir is engaged to NXT Tag Team Champion Roderick Strong.

Below is WWE's full announcement on Duke and Shafir arriving:

Marina Shafir and Jessamyn Duke, Four Horsewomen teammates of Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler, report to WWE PC

MMA's Four Horsewomen have arrived in WWE in full force.

Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir have joined their Four Horsewomen teammates Ronda Rousey and Shayna Baszler in making the move from mixed martial arts to sports-entertainment, reporting for training today at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Fla.

The 5-foot-11 Duke fought professionally from 2012 to 2016, competing in the bantamweight class for organizations including the UFC. She was also a member of the UFC's "Ultimate Fighter" reality competition series in 2013, as part of "Team Rousey."

Shafir, known by the nickname "The Supernova from Maldova," stands 5-foot-7 and has fought under the banners of Invicta and Lights Out Promotions. She is also engaged to NXT Superstar Roderick Strong and has been seen at ringside for many of The Messiah of the Backbreaker's matches.

The WWE Universe no doubt remembers the Four Horsewomen's standoff with Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch and Bayley — three-quarters of WWE's Four Horsewomen, alongside Sasha Banks — at last year's Mae Young Classic. Duke, Shafir and Rousey were there to support Baszler, who advanced to the final round of the inaugural tournament before losing to Kairi Sane. Though the Four Horsewomen factions did not come to blows at the Mae Young Classic, the exchange of words made for a stirring scene.

Since then, Baszler and Rousey's impact in the squared circle been nothing less than immense: The Queen of Spades forcefully claimed the NXT Women's Title from Ember Moon at NXT TakeOver: New Orleans, while "Rowdy" Ronda has emerged as one of Raw's top Superstars following a spectacular in-ring debut at WrestleMania, where she teamed with Kurt Angle to defeat Triple H & Stephanie McMahon.

With Duke and Shafir now preparing to conquer a new world of combat sports, will it be long before they add to Baszler and Rousey's already incredible list of accomplishments in the ring?

WWE Planning NXT Expansion Through ‘Global Localization’ of Performance Centers & Regional Territories

WWE wants to take over the world. As the largest and most profitable professional wrestling organization, WWE has already expanded their brand on a global level with live events and talent being recruited from all corners of the map.

Now WWE is expanding even further by using their model for NXT in new locations around the globe.

Paul “Triple H” Levesque, who championed and helped built NXT into a feeder system for the main WWE roster, revealed plans for even more expansion to help cultivate and foster talent from countries all over the world.

“With ‘RAW’ and ‘Smackdown Live’ calling up all of my NXT superstars, I quickly realized NXT needed a feeder system of its own,” Levesque explained when speaking at the WWE 2018 Business Partner Summit. “We had to re-imagine once again how and where we were recruiting. Not only in the United States but outside as well.”

The plan to expand falls under what Triple H calls ‘global localization’ — a term he’s actually trademarking — where WWE will establish performance centers and NXT style brands in local markets around the world.

The first example of this kind of expansion was with WWE launching the United Kingdom tournament that crowned a champion last year with another version of that same event taking place again in June.

“WE’VE GOT TO FIND A WAY TO TRANSFORM THE CURRENT PATHWAY INTO A SUPER HIGHWAY” ~ TRIPLE H

Now WWE plans to expand that same kind of footprint in new markets around the globe including the possibility of setting up a performance center and an NXT type brand with their new partners in Saudi Arabia after inking a 10 year deal there just recently.

“We’ve got to find a way to transform the current pathway into a super highway,” Levesque explained. “We’re going to do it through what I call ‘global localization’. Where we’re going into individual markets around the world, we will create scaled versions of the template we’ve created.

“Organizing tryouts, recruiting talent, establishing performance centers and building on the ground NXT style brands.”

The global expansion will look to build home grown talent from markets in Europe, Asia, and numerous other places around the world.

As Triple H revealed during his chat with those in attendance, 80-percent of the current WWE roster came from NXT, which serves as all the proof he needs to show that this expansion is not only good for the organization, it’s absolutely necessary to continue building the brand on a global scale.

There’s no word yet when WWE plans to launch these new performances centers and NXT type brands, but obviously plans are already underway with the return of the U.K. tournament in June.