By James Caldwell, PWTorch assistant editor

ESPN WWE special report
E:60's "WWE: Behind the Curtain"
Airdate: May 5, 2015
Reporter: Jeremy Schaap
Producer: Ben Houser

ESPN aired a one-hour special on WWE, specifically the Performance Center/NXT, on Tuesday night in prime time.

Advertised interviews included Vince McMahon, Triple H, and the WrestleMania 30 Trio of Hulk Hogan, The Rock, and "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.

The show opened with a clip from April 23, 2015. It was Adam Rose walking into the bedroom of his infant son to help with a feeding. Rose said he works and is on the road to provide for his family, but he wishes he could spend more time at home. He said waking up his son is harder than wrestling.

Two years earlier in Orlando, Rose was part of a group of NXT talent sitting in a meeting with Triple H at the Performance Center. Hunter was shown briefly talking to the room about being selected for this time period because they have talent and WWE sees something in them.

The special then cut to an introduction with soundbytes from Vince McMahon, Hunter, and Hulk Hogan talking about character and finding the right personas for the right time. Then, The Rock recapped his origins ont he crowd hating Rocky Maivia, turning him heel. then, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin on introducing his over-the-top persona.

"NXT really guarantees the success of our future," McMahon said. ESPN then flashed through NXT highlights, including former head trainer Bill DeMott working with talent.

Back to Hunter in the meeting room standing at a podium addressing the talent. Cue up Jeremy Schaap with a voice-over introducing Hunter. Then, a look at Hunter in the ring at WrestleMania. Hunter said being in the ring at Mania is the biggest rush for any wrestler.

Schaap said the NXT stars are looking to be the next Hunter, Undertaker, or John Cena. Including Adam Rose. They showed Rose outside of the ring with his family. Then, a look at Xavier Woods. Also, Corey Graves back when he was an active wrestler. Interestingly, in this flashback to two years ago, Graves talked about his history of concussions, noting he hopes it's not something that will stick with him for the rest of his life. But, the concussions forced him to retire from the ring, shifting him to an announcing role.

Schaap noted NXT can be seen on WWE Network, but the stars aspire to make it to the big-time on cable TV. Schaap was then shown sitting down with Hunter to ask where they find talent since there isn't a "little league baseball" pool of talent out there to develop into pro wrestlers. "Everywhere," Hunter said. "You know, the biggest factor in making it in WWE is charisma."

This sent the special down the path of exploring "charisma." Schaap was then shown sitting down with Vince McMahon to ask what he's learned from his years of studying human behavior to build characters. McMahon entered his mode of trying to own the space, especially when face-to-face with a reporter, by pointing out that Schaap seems in awe of him, leading into his explanation of the study of human psychology through wrestling storytelling and fan interaction.

ESPN cut to a production meeting led by McMahon. Then, back to McMahon sitting down with Schaap on building a character. WWE cut to Hunter talking to Bray Wyatt at NXT as Schaap recapped McMahon tapping Hunter to oversee talent development and be groomed to possibly be the next CEO.

Schaap recapped Hunter's vision for the Performance Center, noting that 70 men and women train here. Schaap reported that WWE says annual salaries range from $45,000 to "low six figures." (The low-end translates to $3,750 per month.) And, about 20 percent of trainees will one day "reach the majors."

After showing the talent working on basic wrestling skills in and out of the ring, they went back to Hunter, who said they create super-heroes and super-villains to set up a clash in the ring.

Back to Adam Rose, who was identiifed as Leo Kruger back at this time. Schaap recapped Rose/Kruger growing up in South Africa, living on the streets for two years as a teenager, and the only thing that saved him was becoming a pro wrestler. Rose spoke about his original character, then ESPN showed Kruger's wife, who talked about Rose following his dream to become a pro wrestler. His wife also talked about them expecting their first child.

But, Rose said, there was something wrong 17 weeks into the pregnancy. Rose said they were told the baby not make it. But, their son made it. Now at 3-years-old, he's already outlived his prognosis. And his food is delivered through a tube in his stomach. Rose said every time he leaves the house, he is preparing a future for his family. Schaap said Rose spent three years at NXT, but his future was on the ropes.

[Commercial Break at 0:15]

Back to Rose at the Performance Center. Rose was shown working in the ring with William Regal, who worked him over. Rose talked about the learning curve to become a top wrestler, then Schaap recapped Rose's character being in the works for four years. They cut to Bill DeMott trying to pep-talk Rose, telling him to stop thinking and just be himself.

ESPN cut to Hunter leading to an NXT Production Meeting in Orlando going over talent and what they have to offer. Hunter talked about Kruger/Rose being a good guy who is pretending to be this evil, sadistic guy. Michael Hayes was shown speaking up, saying he wouldn't buy a free ticket to see Kruger. Hayes said he's mechanically fine, but he's too bland. DeMott spoke next that fans seem to like him on the live events, even if it's not clicking at the TV tapings. Hunter said, "Let's flip him and point him in that direction and see where it takes him."

Back to Rose walking around Full Sail University. Schaap recapped that Rose would soon be changed from a bad guy to a good guy. Similar to Xavier Woods, who was profiled being a bit of a goof. Woods was shown making his ring entrance before Schaap recapped Woods's childhood, sports career, and pre-WWE wrestling characters. Back to Woods talking about his advanced college work while wrestling. (This set up McMahon talking about the lack of off-season in WWE later in the show. The idea being that "hey, if Woods can complete his advanced college coursework while in WWE, then the schedule must not be that bad," trying to deflect criticism of the full-time schedule.

Hunter was then shown breaking down Xavier's pros and cons. Terry Taylor said Woods has a great attitude, Dusty Rhodes said he should be on the main roster, and Hunter said the question is how to channel Woods's creativity to figure out who he is. Michael Cole, sitting next to Jim Ross, said Woods could become a spokesman for the company as a student and wrestler.

Off to Corey Graves, who talked about his tattoos. Schaap recapped Graves's wrestling background and childhood obsession with pro wrestling. Graves talked about being Sterling James Keenan on the independents, with his dream being to join WWE. Graves's wife was then introduced. They were married, then WWE called him in 2011. Graves said his character is himself with the volume turned up. "I am James Bond," he said. "And I get to come home and be Matt again."

Schaap noted that Graves has been home a lot lately with an accumulation of injuries. Specifically, concussions. Schaap noted that Graves has to think about his wife and two children now. His wife said she was concerned about Graves's career longevity, especially due to the concussions. Graves said he does not think he can give up wrestling because it's all he knows. "I think in order for me to be happy, it's gotta be doing this," Graves said as ESPN cut to commercial.

[Commercial Break at 0:29]

Back from break, they showed Corey Graves cutting a promo in Summer 2013. Schaap noted his stock was rising and he was hoping to fulfill big dreams. Hunter was shown sitting in the board room meeting saying Graves was cleared after going through the concussion tests. Dusty Rhodes then noted that they have picked him to be the next big thing. Off to Michael Hayes saying he loves the tattoos and suit.

Back to Graves, who was shown working out in the ring. Schaap noted that he was not called up to the main roster, then suffered another concussion in Fall 2013, putting him on the shelf. Graves talked up the Impact Concussion Test. ESPN then cut to Vince McMahon discussing the concussion protocol. He claimed WWE was "way ahead of the NFL" on concussion testing. Asked how many concussions he's had, McMahon paused before answering, "A lot."

ESPN showed wrestlers being drug-tested as part of the Wellness Policy implemented in 2006. They cut back to McMahon being asked about wrestler health and the "steroids" issue from the past. McMahon acknowledged there is no off-season like there is in other sports, and they have a rigid testing system because "we're investing in human beings and the character they become. The healthier they are, the more longevity." Asked if the wrestlers are clean, McMahon said, "Yes, absolutely. We're way past that now."

Graves was focused on again. Schaap noted that Graves was sidelined for several months, then suffered another concussion in March 2014. They cut to Graves's wife, who said his son asked about how his dad was doing in wrestling. His son even drew a picture of Graves and a wrestling ring, saying his dad is his hero because he is a wrestler and he's strong. His wife said he did not let Corey see the picture since she knew it would crush him with his wrestling career about to end.

They cut back to Graves calling his wife to tell her that "he got some news."

Of note, the camera shots of the interior and exterior of houses have shown clean, picturesque, well-furnished Florida homes right out of an HGTV show to make it seem like wrestlers can live a comfortable life with a photogenic, supportive spouse on $45-100k annual salary with the "hope for an opportunity" to make it to the main roster.

[Commercial Break at 0:36]

The special returned with Graves talking about being miserable if he were released from his WWE contract. Now in Fall 2014, Schaap noted that Graves has not wrestled in NXT for nine months. Triple H was shown talking on-camera about having to pull Graves aside to tell him that his long-term health is at risk and he is medically disqualified from wrestling for WWE. Graves said Hunter finished his message, patted him on the shoulder, Graves walked upstairs to the locker room, and he completely fell apart.

They cut to Michael Cole saying one day you think you're going to get a paycheck and make a lot of money, then it's ripped out from under you. Cole said it's almost like getting laid off. He said Graves is a family man, then Graves's wife said she decided to go back to work as a teacher because Corey was hired to be a wrestler, so if he could not wrestle again, he would be out of a job. So, what was next?

In December 2014, Hunter was asked to speak to Graves about his future. They showed Hunter talking to Graves, offering him a two-year deal to be announcer. He said he hopes it gives Graves some stability. They cut to Cole producing Graves for the NXT commentary role. Graves said he's still working in the business that he loves and maybe he'll last 20 years in the business as a commentator.

They cut to Graves calling his wife to tell her that WWE offered her a two-year announcer contract. He recapped the conversation with Hunter and getting a new contract. His wife was very excited on the other end of the call. Now, Graves is performing outside the ring as announcer.

The overall presentation of Graves's story was pretty close to ESPN unabashedly putting over WWE as benevolent folks giving down-on-his-luck Corey Graves a new job since Graves has bought into the idea that there's nothing else he could do in life besides work in the wrestling industry, but it seemed unbalanced without an examination of past wrestlers and families hurt by the grind of the pro wrestling environment.

Back to Xavier Woods, who was called to the main roster in November 2013. Woods was shown driving to the building for his debut. McMahon was heard saying that Woods's act might be too over-the-top or not believable. He noted that what works at NXT "may not necessarily work in a larger forum," which came across like McMahon deflecting criticism in advance if/when NXT acts do not translate to the main roster. (Adam Rose being a prime example, although not yet captured in the special.)

They cut to Road Dogg excitedly talking up Woods making his singles debut on Raw, reflecting one of the sub-stories to the documentary on WWE management treating the NXT roster like high school or college students at times instead of professional adults. Visually, it was captured by Hunter's Performance Center meetings with the NXT roster where he stood at a podium and delivered a lecture to the roster assembled in a classroom-like setting.

"Now this is the big-leagues, my friend," Dogg told Woods. "You've been down there rocking people's worlds in NXT, but this is WWE, this is the pinnacle, Monday Night War."

They cut to Woods preparing to go through the curtain as Schaap asked him if he has his lines memorized. Woods, excitedly jumping up and down, said it's all in his head and he's just improvising. Schaap and Woods shook hands, then R-Truth was shown introducing Xavier Woods to Brodus Clay's theme music. Xavier danced with The Funkadactlys, then was shown wrestling against Heath Slater.

Woods was shown walking through the curtain to be addressed by Triple H, who recapped his debut. Hunter hit the positives, then tried to set up his criticism by saying it's just a nitpick to slow down, let the crowd digest what he's doing in the ring, and be himself.

As for Adam Rose/Kruger, Schaap noted time is running out on his character. As Kruger, he talked about not being able to think about failure.

[Commercial Break at 0:47]

The final segment of the special looked at Kruger/Adam Rose going through professional and personal ups and downs. As Kruger, he talked about trying to find the right thing to take him to the next level. Hunter was shown talking about Kruger/Rose missing something, so they went back to the drawing board. Bill DeMott was shown talking on-camera about having to tell Rose he had to reinvent himself. And he panicked. Kruger/Rose said he didn't know where to go from here. He said he wrote down 10 different characters and bios. One was an explorer, like Indiana Jones, and they settled on Adam Rose.

Schaap recapped Rose playing an over-the-top British pop star, the ultimate party animal. WWE showed Rose rehearsing with the Rosebuds, then talking about the character being epic. They cut to Dusty Rhodes saying this is sink or swim for Rose. Back to DeMott talking to Rose in the ring before debuting the character. He told him not to think about it. DeMott was bleeped, but they presented DeMott as a supportive head trainer.

Back to DeMott on-camera talking about Rose being too concerned about how the character comes across. He said Rose is concerned about his family and future. Back to Rose's wife, who said they have another child on the way. Rose said he has a little family to look after and he will do whatever it takes to support his family. DeMott said he's not sure if there's enough left inside him to make the Adam Rose character work. Hunter talked next about this being do-or-die for Rose.

They cut to January 2013 for the debut of Adam Rose. DeMott embraced him, then Rose was shown walking through the curtain to dance with the Rosebuds. They showed Rose being well-received by the crowd and dancing backstage with the Rosebuds. Rose walked backstage to applause, then hugged Joey Mercury. DeMott also hugged him. Hunter shook his hand, then noted there was not one "Leo Kruger" chant during the match. Back to DeMott giving Rose a fatherly pep-talk, continuing to babyface DeMott in this segment of the special.

Rose then talked on-camera about needing that for his family. DeMott was shown talking on-camera about who knows how far the character will go, but tonight was a good night.

That was the end of the documentary. ESPN wrapped up with some "where are they now" items. Included was Rose and his wife welcoming a second child, then Rose was promoted to the main roster in May 2014. His three-year-old soon needs more surgeries, but he started school in April of this year. No mention of Rose's character not translating well to the main roster.

Also, Xavier Woods is on main television as part of the "New Day" faction, which makes you wonder if WWE strongly featured New Day on Monday's Raw in advance of this special airing. The counter to that would be Adam Rose remains M.I.A. on main television, so it's not like WWE suddenly put Rose back on TV this week.

ESPN showed Graves on the Raw pre-show, having his own show on WWE Network, and welcoming a third child.

ESPN very quickly cut to a note on Bill DeMott resigning from NXT. The text read: "In March 2015, Bill DeMott resigned amid allegations of 'abusive behavior' by former NXT wrestlers," which was essentially the documentary trying to retain credibility after babyfacing DeMott throughout the second-half of the special.

ESPN flashed forward to a stat that NXT has promoted 21 wrestlers to the main roster since 2013. They did not examine the success/rate failure. Credits wrapped up the one-hour special. The closing music was "The Wrestler" by Bruce Springsteen from Mickey Rourke's "The Wrestler" movie on a broken-down wrestler seeking redemption.

The documentary cut to a final Q&A between Schaap and McMahon, who was asked who he considers his greatest masterpiece. "Me," he said. Asked by a laughing Schaap if he's the greatest character he's created, McMahon replied, "No, not the greatest character. I just want to say I'm a masterpiece of some kind."

Final Thoughts: This needed to be two hours to thoroughly examine the subject material. The documentary paid lip service to critical issues, focusing more on the back-stories of Rose, Graves, and Woods. Which was fine, as their stories were intriguing, but if the documentary was not going to be ambitious enough to examine WWE's record of wrestler health issues, the Impact concussion test, and the success/fail rate of NXT characters moving to the main roster, then perhaps this just should have been a story on three NXT wrestlers who have faced different professional and personal hardships without going through a song & dance with McMahon, who acknowledged there's no off-season, but acted as if it were totally normal without being questioned.

It's also interesting that content from Hogan, Rock, and Austin was very brief. The documentary only included a few soundbytes in the opening segment to present the idea of NXT stars striving for the legacies of Hogan, Rock, and Austin instead of having the trio contribute to an historical look at WWE, whether from a Creative or lifestyle/schedule perspective. And, Jim Ross, who was shown sitting in NXT production meetings, was virtually omitted from the documentary when he could have provided broader context to where WWE is as a company. Ross noted on jrsbarbq.com that he was interviewed at-length for the documentary two years ago, but he did not think it would make air. Again, this really needed to be two hours to tell a complete story if the documentary set out to present a thorough examination of WWE.

From a marketing standpoint, WWE certainly benefited from the documentary, which presenting well-educated, family men as representatives of the roster, distancing WWE from the image of pro wrestlers being bar-room brawlers and loud, brash, rough-looking guys, trying to make it seem safe for families to let their kids watch wrestling or even aspire to be wrestlers. McMahon was sure to get over that point, making it seem like it's safer to be a pro wrestler than football player. WWE also benefited by being presented as a family-oriented company who gave Corey Graves another role and worked with Adam Rose to find a new character to support their families, while also working with Xavier Woods's schedule to complete his education.

Also interesting was the selection of NXT stars to focus on. They had access to Charlotte, the daughter of Ric Flair, which could have tied in with the WrestleMania Trio of Hogan, Rock, and Austin, but they opted to focus on three NXT roster members who "overcame the odds" to various degrees, made personal achievements, and made the main roster. If Charlotte was currently on the main roster, it would have been interesting to see if she made the cut.

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