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WWE News
WWE News: Want to be a WWE star? Head of WWE developmental explains how, but don't expect running water Mar 24, 2008 - 12:11:56 PM
Head of WWE's Florida developmental territory Steve Keirn explains in an article in today's Orlando Sentinel that when looking for future WWE stars, he's looking for people under 30 years old with good bodies, good personalities, and some wrestling background. So far Kofi Kingston, Maryse, and Drew McIntyre have graduated from the FCW territory under Keirn's oversight.
"We are looking for younger people who are hungry," he says. "I want people that want to be pro wrestlers and see a vision of grandeur."
The article notes that trainees practice five days a week, up to six hours a day. Each of the current roster members in FCW, according to the article, make enough money for it to be their full-time job and is under a WWE contract. There are 70 wrestlers training at FCW currently.
It's not glamorous, either, as they have yet to install indoor plumbing and running water in the converted warehouse that's now WWE's training headquarters.
Keirn estimated it takes five years of training to be ready to be a "WWE superstar." That plan includes at this time wrestling oncea week at a sports bar in New Port Richey just outside of Tampa.
Ted DiBiase Jr., age 25, is one of the better known names currently training, and he may be joined soon by his now-injured older brother and aspiring younger brother. Nattie Neidhart, son of Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart, is also training there.
Keller Analysis: One of the criticisms of WWE over the years is that they don't have the type of training facility and developmental system set up to attract former stand-out college and pro athletes. The fact that WWE has set up a training center that has yet to have indoor plumbing installed is about as embarrassing as anything. There is an attitude within pro wrestling that younger wrestlers aspiring to work on the main roster need to pay dues, but there comes a point that it's likely turning away gifted, honed athletes whose pro careers in football, wrestling, MMA, or other sports are coming to an end, or college standouts who aren't going to make the pro level in their sport. It's a tough balance to strike to stop short of the training experience being like a country club, but not so primitive that it drives away 23 and 26 year old athletes who are used to a world class training environment in college or with their pro team. The pictures accompanying the Sentinel story show a slick facility otherwise with big posters on the wall and a clean, well-lit ring. The running-water issue, though, should be fixed quickly.
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