WWE® Performance Center Welcomes New Class of Recruits
13 April 2015 - 11:25PM
Business Wire
WWE (NYSE:WWE) today announced that a new, international class
of 11 recruits, including former collegiate athletes, bodybuilders
and talent from the independent wrestling circuit, from seven
countries have begun training at the WWE Performance Center in
Orlando, Florida. The WWE Performance Center is the home of NXT®,
the developmental division for WWE. With seven training rings, a
world-class strength and conditioning program and cutting-edge edit
and production facilities, the Performance Center will allow the
new class to hone their skills through a comprehensive program that
includes in-ring training, physical preparedness and character
development.
“The global reach of WWE is reflected in the diversity of this
class of NXT recruits,” said Paul “Triple H” Levesque, WWE
Executive Vice President, Talent, Live Events & Creative.
“Talent is the most important natural resource we have, and these
individuals will have every opportunity to hone their skills and
fulfill their dream of becoming a WWE Superstar or Diva at the WWE
Performance Center.”
The new NXT class
includes:
Australia:
- Cassie McIntosh (Born in Sydney,
resides in Melbourne, Australia) – Trained with Pro Wrestling
Alliance in Sydney since 2011. In 2012, was trained by Lance Storm,
a former WWE Superstar who now runs the Storm Wrestling Academy.
Proficient in dance and acrobatics.
- Jessica McKay (Sydney,
Australia) – Since 2008, has trained with Pro Wrestling Alliance in
Sydney, as well as Ring of Honor.
Canada:
- Nhooph Al-Areebi (Toronto,
Ontario, Canada) – Trained with Squared Circle since 2011 and was a
member of the Toronto Circus School from 2008-2012. Also trained in
rhythmic gymnastics. Speaks English and Arabic.
Germany:
- Axel Tischer (Dresdan, Germany)
– Trained with GWF Wrestling in Berlin since 2006. Served in
the German Army from 2005-2007, achieving the rank of Private First
Class.
Mexico:
- Oscar Vasquez (Ciudad Juarez,
Mexico) – Trained in Juarez in Lucha Libre style of wrestling.
Worked with CWF Mid-Atlantic. Dual citizen of Mexico and the
U.S.
Serbia:
- Radomir Petkovic (Belgrade,
Serbia) – European Vice Champion at the 2010 European Wrestling
Championships and was a two-time bronze medalist at 2009
Mediterranean Games in Greco-Roman and Freestyle. Speaks
Russian and English.
United Kingdom:
- Peter Howard (Exeter, England) –
Played collegiate Rugby in the UK and was a regional Discus
Champion.
United States:
- Kenneth Crawford (Chicago,
Illinois/Anson County, North Carolina) – Served in the US Marine
Corps for four years and accumulated a perfect 300 score in the
United States Marine Corps Physical Fitness Test. Holds the North
Carolina South Piedmont and Anson High School records in the 200
meter, 400 meter and 4 X 4 relay. Anson High School Athlete of the
Year in 2007.
- Thomas Kingdon (Traverse City,
Michigan) – Competed in Amateur Bodybuilding and won the Super
Heavy Weight Class at the 2013 NPC Central States Competition.
- Sesugh Uhaa (Atlanta, Georgia) –
High School Soccer, Football and Track & Field star. Began
training in 2009 and worked for Dragon Gate USA.
- Levis Valenzuela Jr. (Durham,
North Carolina) – Trained with CWF Mid-Atlantic in 2013. Proficient
in dance and won various awards for collegiate ballroom dancing.
Holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from UNC Charlotte.
Grew up in the United States, lived in South Korea from 2011-2013
and speaks Spanish.
The new class will join a group of 55 men and women training out
of the state-of-the-art, 26,000 square-foot WWE Performance Center.
The venue offers a full training experience with real time feedback
from WWE coaches, trainers and doctors, giving performers the
resources they need to develop their talent both athletically and
creatively. Additionally, recruits will be immersed in WWE’s
Professional Development program that focuses on four key pillars
of development – Life Skills, Education, Wellness and Career
Success.
About WWE:
WWE, a publicly traded company (NYSE:WWE), is an integrated
media organization and recognized leader in global entertainment.
The company consists of a portfolio of businesses that create and
deliver original content 52 weeks a year to a global audience. WWE
is committed to family friendly entertainment on its television
programming, pay-per-view, digital media and publishing platforms.
WWE programming reaches more than 650 million homes worldwide in 35
languages. WWE Network, the first-ever 24/7 over-the-top premium
network that includes all 12 live pay-per-views, scheduled
programming and a massive video-on-demand library, is currently
available in more than 170 countries. The company is headquartered
in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, London,
Mexico City, Mumbai, Shanghai, Singapore, Dubai, Munich and
Tokyo.
Additional information on WWE (NYSE:WWE) can be found at wwe.com
and corporate.wwe.com. For information on our global activities, go
to http://www.wwe.com/worldwide/.
Media:WWEMark
Vasquez, 203-352-1521mark.vasquez@wwecorp.com
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