Over 40 athletes from all walks of life have descended upon Orlando, Florida for a tryout at the WWE Performance Center where coaches and scouts will trim down the list considerably and offer those who stand out an opportunity to join the Performance Center full time and eventually NXT.
Professional football players, independent wrestlers, mixed martial artists, fitness models, basketball players, cheerleaders and everything in between are all competing for a spot under the watchful eyes of WWE PC head coach Matt Bloom, NXT GM William Regal, PC coaches and WWE Hall of Famer Mark Henry.
Ivelisse Velez, who was part of WWE developmental between 2011 and 2012 and also a former Tough Enough competitor is one of those who are having the tryout. Velez, now a 15-year ring veteran, was part of Lucha Underground and just recently received her release which enabled her to try out.
Another individual who is trying out is Lance Anoa’i. The last name should ring a bell as Lance is from the Anoa’i wrestling family and is the son of former WWE Tag Team champion Samu and the grandson of WWE Hall of Famer Afa. This is his second tryout after he already attended one in 2017.
The female winner of Titan Games – Emily Andzulis – has also been invited. The show was hosted by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson on NBC. She is a martial artist and an amateur MMA fighter. Bikini competitor and bodybuilder Lauren Regno, who also appeared on Titan Games, is part of the tryout as well.
The full list of those trying out is here.
