Major Update On WWE’s Recent Tryout Camp

Partial Source: Pwinsider.com

Here are the latest details on the tryouts with independent talents at WWE developmental last weekend.

The camp was run by Bill DeMott, with the other NXT trainers taking direction from him. Jim Ross was on hand as well. Talents included former WWE ECW star Shawn “Gavin” Spears, PWG champion/ROH TV champion Adam Cole, DGUSA star Samuray del Sol, ROH star Mike Bennett, Extreme Rising star Luke Hawx, former NFL player Lorenzo Hood, former New Japan talent Ricky Reyes, as well as Northeast indy talent and Taz protege Smith James and Nathan Banner.

Also at the tryouts were novice athletes who had contacted the company with their interest in training and getting signed. Many of them were weeded out during the weekend, with one performer trying out actually quit on the first day because the regimen was so physically demanding.

The tryout was said to be extremely brutal, especially for those that hadn’t been through heavy, heavy pro wrestling style workouts in the past. One person claimed there was as many as 14 injuries over the course of the weekend from the workout, while others stated it was more like 9 to 10.

The camp ran hard drills, had talents working matches and also cutting promos for the NXT staff. Those attending were told they would hear back within 2-4 weeks about whether the company was interested in signing them right now. They were also informed to stay in touch and to keep improving as the promotion is always looking for new talent.