WWE Performance Center
A unified hub for training wrestlers, referees, announcers, and commentators, featuring seven rings in Orlando and two rings in London.
The WWE Performance Center (WWE PC) is a group of professional wrestling schools owned by WWE that function as tryout and training facilities, complete with sports science, medical services, live event spaces, and production studios. The first location opened in Orlando, Florida, on July 11, 2013, as a new, separate facility from the former Florida Championship Wrestling center in Tampa. A second branch followed in Enfield, London, with the NXT UK Performance Center opening in November 2018.
In March 2020, the Orlando site temporarily hosted Raw, SmackDown, and 205 Live without audiences due to the COVID-19 pandemic before moving to the "ThunderDome" in August. The NXT brand moved permanently to the Orlando center in October 2020 from Full Sail University, and its main studio was reconfigured as the "Capitol Wrestling Center" (CWC) starting in December 2020, a name used until September 2021.
Quick Facts
- Founded
- 11 July 2013
- Predecessor
- Florida Championship Wrestling
- Owner
- TKO Group Holdings (Endeavor)
- Parent
- WWE
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.
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?
- 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.
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