Backstage Update On WWE's Mandated Performance Center Training
Just how mandatory did mandatory prove to be?
With recent reports claiming that WWE was making it mandatory for all talent to head to the Performance Center for additional training ahead of the company's return to the road, there's now an update on said training.
Previously, WWE sought to get its performers into the PC to get them in prime condition as the promotion looked to leave the Thunderdome era in its rear-view mirror. The logic there, of course, was that these wrestlers have usually been working just one show per week in front of a energy-lacking crowd made up of virtual fans - as opposed to the energy of a live crowd and the busier schedule of getting back to non-televised events.
As per Fightful Select, while that extra training was indeed made mandatory for all talent, this order reportedly changed after just a few days. Instead, the roster was informed that they could miss this training if they had a personal reason that could be taken into account.
Several wrestlers took WWE up on this offer, citing personal reasons and opting out of attending these Performance Center sessions. Fightful does also add that nearly all of the company's female talent took part in this training.
Of course, it was during one of these PC sessions that Bayley suffering the ACL injury that's expected to keep her out of action for at least nine months.