Look inside the new WWE UK Performance Center with Triple H and Shawn Michaels

For Shawn Michaels, a member of the WWE Hall of Fame, the training to become a future wrestling superstar has unfolded in an old ring in the heat of Texas.

The first WWE UK Champion, Tyler Bate, learned his trade in a small room with a punching bag. WWE head coach Matt Bloom, aka Albert, was added to a suffocating boxing ring and worked alongside WWE leader Triple H, "with a wall mounted air conditioner". WWE coach Robbie Brookside was tied to the floor covered with dusty carpet from a Liverpool factory.

However, with the opening of the WWE UK Performance Center, new generations of British wrestling talents who have signed a contract with NXT UK will continue their training in fully custom-built, professional and world-clbad facilities.

In a rather bbad industrial area of ​​North London, near a Nandos restaurant, is a fairly ordinary warehouse. Take a step inside and any wrestling fan will feel a tingle of excitement.

There is something quite magical about the place. Even at the entrance, a championship belt from the WWE UK stands on a podium. The walls are adorned with framed posters promoting memorable paid shows at WWE.

The kitchen and dining room, where the superstars of NXT UK regularly walk, are also covered with iconic posters. The big unveiling is however in the training zone.

The 17,000 square foot facility is beautiful and remarkable. Regular-sized two-ring weight machines and even a large storage area, which contains stacks of WWE brand chairs, and the iconic red phone booth and black cab of the TV channel British WWE, these are the dreams of his fans. .

Performance Center Launch, Called "Milestone in Global WWE Location Strategy" by Paul 'Triple H & # 39; Levesque, is the jewel of the long history of the United Kingdom's commitment by the American giant of sports entertainment.

The list is long: recruit stars like the British Bulldog Davey Boy Smith and William Regal; holding SummerSlam at Wembley in 1992; bi-annual visits to the United Kingdom; an ever-growing relationship with independent UK promotions such as PROGRESS and ICW; a British championship and tournament; and finally a full NXT UK brand.

While WWE's UK talent was looking to take Blackpool in January, this center marks the company's efforts to literally take control of the wrestling world.

The British center is "the first of many performance centers outside of the United States," said HHH proudly, but "brings everything the center offers better than the center of Orlando".

This became clear when caption after caption was introduced. From HBK to Bloom, Johnny Saint, Jonny Moss and Brookside, both British big names of the past and present, were all present to offer their expertise to young talents.

The current star, Finn Balor, in town for the launch of the center, could be the subject of an in-depth discussion with his former intern, Jordan Devlin, and give an idea of ​​what the work will be at the Performance Center, with guest trainers and more.

The "plus" is in itself quite spectacular. The strength, conditioning and skills in the ring will be at the heart of the matter, but the 30 or more athletes who train at the center can expect media training, practice, and more. interviews, facilities and medical and rehabilitation personnel, access to nutritionists and wellness seminars, language and financial skills. . All this in order to transform them into "complete interpreters".

Triple H even suggested that the center could be a hub for future network centers, acting as a sound stage "capable of creating content 24 hours a day, seven days a week." "You can have the best athletes in the world, but if you can not show it to the world, it will not do you any good," he told the Mirror.

Former world champion Balor, former world champion, emphasized the personal significance of this facility by claiming that despite 16 years of struggle before arriving at the WWE, he felt very bad about comfortable with a microphone in your hand.

At the same time, Charlotte Flair, who was part of the first clbad of the WWE Orlando Performance Center, was more concerned about the presence of people behind her, warning Rhea Ripley, Toni Storm and Isla Dawn that she " looked over his shoulder.

For many WWE stars, the UK Performance Center was a source of pride and enthusiasm and many benefits. Pete Dunne, WWE UK Champion, said the center "increases the feeling of being part of a winning team".

The same goes for his British teammate Strong Style, Trent Seven, who said that this center was a hub for the training of NXT UK, who, after training together, had built "a lot more environment d & # 39; team ".

For the trainers, and especially for Brookside, the center was "a dream come true" and was part of his personal mission: "to achieve it [wrestling] go back on [UK] His American counterpart, former WWE superstar Bloom, spoke of the difference he was making to the hungry young talent by lightening the "hustle" of having to sign a contract with WWE.

More "poor quality lockers, no medical care or shower," suggested Bloom. "We can show them what it's like to be a superstar and change the game from the top down."

Speaking about the diversity of skills offered, Bloom explained that for the most talented, this included "how to pursue episodic stories". Draw characters and "build and protect individual brands" or, as Brookside says, "to avoid pouring a pint of water into a pint of water, which gives people more than necessary". For young talents who may have graduated a bit too fast, Bloom said that he was back to basics, learning "the fundamentals of what we do."

Mr. WrestleMania himself, Michaels, also coached at the center. He told the Mirror that his personal advice to trainees was to remember that "everyone has a story". HBK said: "Maybe you are normal, but for those of us who do not know, it 's interesting, so do not neglect the staff. I have done was really right of me Do not be afraid to put yourself too much at ease, as you seem to have noticed the difference when someone pulls your channel or goes out sincerely to play and give all he has for you. "

Michaels' personal affection for his students is obvious, and it was moving to hear from his trainees that he wanted the trainees to know that it was "acceptable to be a fan" and that they were enthusiastic and grateful. "We are here to help you have fun and get the same thing we have," he said, adding, "You want it for all the other people who have put their time and effort and these facilities will help people do it. " "

Tyler Bate was concerned about his dreams for the future. Asked by the Mirror about the prospect of an entry into Royal Rumble, he replied "I just want to lift the biggest player, that's what I want to do", with his partner of the Seven Tag Team, a suggested that the Big Strong Boi could even lift Braun Strowman, to a lot of fun.

"There will be a constant list of things that we will check," said the elder of two Midlanders. "So we have to leave a legacy behind us so that when the next performance center opens in Europe, South America, Saudi Arabia, India or Japan, when that starts to happen, we can look back and say as our first. "

For aspiring British wrestlers who are not yet at the level to sign by WWE, Seven suggests finding a reputable coaching center, learning the basics and watching a lot of wrestling. While before, the WWE seemed so far away, the best young talents that these rivals have to offer are now within their reach. As Seven rightly sums it up: "Who would not want to come here?"