WWE Performance Center

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

The Orlando facility initially covered 26,000 square feet but was expanded in 2018 to over 115,000 square feet, and includes seven training rings, one specifically padded for high-flying moves. It opened as a new, separate location in Orlando, distinct from the former Florida Championship Wrestling center in Tampa, which had served as WWE's developmental headquarters since 2008. The center trains around 65 to 70 wrestlers at any time, ranging from complete beginners to experienced independent circuit veterans. In addition to ring work, trainees refine their strength and conditioning, characters, and personalities. Aspiring referees, announcers, commentators, and interviewers also train here full-time while performing at NXT house shows. Established main roster performers frequently return for injury rehab and mentoring. The inaugural head trainer was Bill DeMott until 2015, succeeded by Matt Bloom. Other trainers included Sara Amato, Robbie Brookside, Norman Smiley, Adam Pearce, Ace Steel, Scotty 2 Hotty, and Sarah Stock. Dusty Rhodes developed microphone skills and personas until his death in 2015. Guest trainers have included Mike Quackenbush, Kevin Nash, and Scott Hall.

In Their Own Story

On March 16, 2020, WWE announced WrestleMania 36 would move from Raymond James Stadium to the Performance Center due to the pandemic, expanding to two nights on April 4 and 5 without an audience. The facility hosted Raw, SmackDown, Main Event, Money in the Bank, Backlash, and Extreme Rules before shifting to the larger "ThunderDome" at Amway Center on August 21. In October 2020, NXT moved from Full Sail University to the Performance Center, launching its reconfigured main studio as the "Capitol Wrestling Center." This setup featured a virtual audience on an LED screen and plexiglass dividers for limited spectators. For TakeOver: Stand & Deliver in April 2021, walls were removed; by TakeOver: In Your House in June, capacity hit around 300 with masks dropped. While Raw and SmackDown resumed touring in July, NXT stayed permanently. On September 14, 2021, the venue received a new set for "NXT 2.0," dropping the CWC name. In August 2015, Armando Alejandro Montalvo was shot outside the center after trespassing and threatening staff; he faced trial in February 2016 on charges including aggravated assault.

Reader's Guide

The Orlando facility operates on an invite-only tryout basis, drawing athletes from diverse backgrounds including amateur wrestling, NFL, NCAA football, and other sports. The British branch at the Great Cambridge Industrial Estate in Enfield opened January 11, 2019, spanning 17,000 square feet with two rings as NXT UK's headquarters. WWE announced plans for centers in India and China in April 2019. Trainees use editing suites equipped with ultra-slow cameras and voice-over rooms to practice announcing. The center's production capabilities supported the closed-airport-style broadcasts of Raw, SmackDown, and WrestleMania 36. In December 2020, the ThunderDome moved to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, then to Yuengling Center in Tampa in April 2021, before ending in July 2021 when touring resumed. The Orlando location remains active for developmental programming, having hosted LFG and Evolve by 2025.

Did You Know?

• The Orlando facility features seven training rings, including one specially padded for high-flying moves.
• Dusty Rhodes was responsible for developing trainees' microphone skills and personas until his death in 2015.
• WrestleMania 36 became the first WrestleMania to take place over two nights (April 4-5, 2020) at the Performance Center.
• The 'Capitol Wrestling Center' name was dropped in September 2021 during the 'NXT 2.0' relaunch.
• In August 2015, a man obsessed with AJ Lee was shot outside the facility after ignoring commands and trespassing.