42 Wrestlers Receive WWE Tryouts In Florida
A former TNA Knockout, Ms. New York 2016, and more join the Performance Center.
WWE signed an unprecedented volume of new talent in 2016, and they don't look like slowing down in 2017. After signing dozens of new wrestlers for the main roster, NXT, and Cruiserweight/UK tournaments last year, WWE currently have 42 wrestlers at the Performance Center for tryouts in Orlando this week, according to Squared Circle Sirens.
The group contains a few notable names. Lei'd Tapa is a one-time mixed martial artist and women's American football player who wrestled in TNA's Knockouts division from 2013-2014, then briefly in 2015. She was most recently seen on the independent circuit in late 2015.
Nicole Matthews, meanwhile, is a former SHIMMER Champion and one of the most highly-touted women's indie wrestlers in North America. She appeared as an enhancement talent on NXT TV in November 2016, wrestling Asuka while the promotion was in her native Cananda.
Also among the group are Anna Theresa (Ms. New York 2016), Reka Rene (a Hungarian actress/fitness model), Stephanie Rowe (an NPC figure competitor), and Renee Michelle and Miranda Salinas, both of whom are active on the independent circuit.
Last month saw Triple H announce WWE's intentions to run a women's tournament in 2017, and while the competition is still to be confirmed, these tryouts suggest it may not be far away.