WWE announced the latest batch of signees to the Performance Center today and it includes some stars from the independent scene as well as some interesting lesser-known recruits.
The least surprising PC announcement is EVOLVE Champion Austin Theory. Like many WWE signings, he was shown in the audience at NXT TakeOver. Uniquely, though, he used the appearance to promote upcoming Evolve Wrestling events. Theory also said he wants to bring the Evolve Championship to a TakeOver in the future, so it’s possible he continues to hold this title for a while.
The other big name in this group is Santana Garrett, aka TNA’s Brittany. Garrett has been wrestling for about ten years and has held titles in promotions like Shine, World Wonder Ring Stardom, and WOW Women of Wrestling. She has also made several appearances in WWE, working as NXT enhancement talent starting in 2013 and competing in the first Mae Young Classic in 2017.
The class also includes Chilean indie wrestler “La Diva del Ring” Jessy, who you can see in-action in the video above, and two other recruits from WWE’s tryout in Chile: jiu-jitsu champion and judoka Rita Reis and martial artist Marcos Gomes. Aleksandar Jaksic, a German indie wrestler known as “LX Ken,” was reportedly recruited at WWE’s tryout in Germany last year. Former football players Tehuti Miles and EJ Nduka, along with Briana Brandy, who used to make rap videos like this one.
The WWE roster is huge these days, and in 2019 alone the company has also signed Joaquin Wilde (fka DJZ), Kushida, Isaiah “Swerve” Scott (fka Shane Strickland and Killshot), Angel Garza (fka Garza Jr.), Cameron Grimes (fka Trevor Lee), Jordan Myles (fka ACH), Rachel Ellering, Karen Q, the former 3.0, Bronson Reed (fka Jonah Rock), and more. That list doesn’t even include any of the NXT UK newbies. El Hijo del Fantasma, also known as Lucha Underground‘s King Cuerno, is expected to sign with WWE soon as well.
It wouldn’t be surprising if the company’s next announcement is that they’re building a few new wings of the Performance Center, though we know the development of new PCs outside of the United States is also in the works.
