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Since opening in July 2013, the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, has been the breeding ground for the company's next generation of talent.
The state-of-the-art 26000 square foot facility is overseen by WWE Executive Vice President Paul 'Triple H' Levesque, although Matt Bloom (aka former WWE Superstar A-Train) serves as Head Trainer.
The WWE Performance Center has grown into such a large operation that no less than seven full-sized rings can be in use at any one time for training purposes. Alongside Bloom, a team of coaches including (among others) Norman Smiley, Robbie Brookside and Sara Amato are on-site to put aspiring WWE Superstars through their paces.
Legends such as Shawn Michaels, William Regal and Road Dogg are also heavily involved in developing the next generation of talent for WWE, with the hope of moving them on to NXT - and eventually the main roster.
However, with an ever-expanding number of trainees, the WWE Performance Center regularly sees a rolling cast of visiting guest coaches. These men and women are typically veterans of the professional wrestling industry, each with their own skills, knowledge and advice to pass down.
Last week, former WCW and WWE Superstar Dave Taylor visited the Performance Center for a stint as a guest coach. The 64-year-old retired veteran is renowned for his technical ability in the ring - and is a long-time friend (and ex-tag team partner) of William Regal.
Taylor was joined at the WWE Performance Center by former Shimmer star Allison Danger. Danger made the trip to Orlando to train with some of the Performance Center's brightest female talent.
Taylor and Danger are just two of many guest coaches who have visited the WWE Performance Center down the years. Some incredible names have briefly passed through to mentor the superstars of tomorrow.
Here are five WWE Performance Center guest coaches that you may not have known about.
#5 The Undertaker has previously been a guest coach at the WWE Performance Center - and is keen to help out again
The Undertaker called time on his WWE career last year after giving more than 30 years of service to the company. Quite frankly, there may not be anyone better for WWE Performance Center recruits to learn from.
The Phenom made a surprise visit to the Performance Center in January 2020, where he reportedly reviewed an episode of NXT, offering advice and feedback to the talent involved.
It was clearly an experience The Undertaker enjoyed. During an interview with the Victory Over Injury podcast last month, he revealed he has spoken to WWE about doing more coaching going forward.
"I'd like to be in a position where I can be a little more hands-on with the young talent and mentor a little. I think I have a lot to offer and I've always enjoyed talking Xs and Os. I've talked a lot with Triple H about getting down to Orlando and working with guys. I still have the passion. I know my days are done making the slow walk, but I still have a passion and love the business and want to see the business continue to grow," stated The Undertaker.
The value of learning from one of the most legendary superstars of all time cannot be overestimated. The men and women currently stationed at the WWE Performance Center will hope that The Undertaker is soon running seminars in Orlando.
#4 Former TNA World Heavyweight Champion Chris Sabin was a guest coach at the WWE Performance Center in 2019
Guesting coaching roles at the WWE Performance Center are not just restricted to those who have made their name in Vince McMahon's company.
Current IMPACT Wrestling star Chris Sabin spent a week as a guest trainer at the Performance Center back in July 2019. Known for his excellent in-ring skills, Sabin is a former TNA World Heavyweight Champion, as well as an eight-time X-Division Champion. Sabin, though, has never been under WWE contract.
The 39-year-old served as a guest coach at the WWE Performance Center while continuing his rehab from a torn ACL. Keen to expose its trainees to as many different styles as possible, WWE was happy to have Sabin pass on his vast experience to younger talent.
To illustrate the diverse mix of guest coaches that WWE likes to have come to the Performance Center, Sabin was joined as a trainer during the week he was there by former Attitude Era superstar, Gangrel.
You just never know who might turn up as a guest coach at the WWE Performance Center!
#3 The Blade (now of AEW) was once a guest coach at the WWE Performance Center
Respected independent wrestling veteran Pepper Parks spent a week as a guest coach at the WWE Performance Center in July 2018.
The 40-year-old, who now goes under the name of The Blade in AEW, brought his vast knowledge and experience to Orlando for a one-week stint - shortly after leaving IMPACT Wrestling.
Having worked in a number of promotions over the years, WWE clearly valued the input of Parks, with several notable names from the world of professional wrestling also tweeting in support of him.
WWE Superstar Drake Maverick called Parks "one of the good guys" on Twitter, while his trainer Les Thatcher gave further praise, writing, "A class young man and proud to say one of "my kids." Much love and respect."
Ultimately, Parks' spell at the WWE Performance Center did not lead to further employment with the company. However, the following year, he did debut in AEW as one half of the Butcher and the Blade tag team - accompanied by his real-life wife Allie as a valet.
An ongoing theme throughout all of these guest coaching spots is that each of the individuals asked to come to the WWE Performance Center are highly thought of in the industry.
A guest trainer gig may not directly lead to a high-paying role in WWE, but it is a very public vote of confidence in the ability of those who are selected.
#2 The Outsiders (Scott Hall and Kevin Nash) coached current RAW Tag Team Champion Omos at the WWE Performance Center in 2019
Two-time Hall of Fame inductees Scott Hall and Kevin Nash spent a week at the WWE Performance Center in November 2019. Credited with helping to transform the wrestling business when they jumped from WWE to WCW to form the nWo in 1996, Hall and Nash have a wealth of knowledge and experience to share.
In fact, less than two years after their visit, one of the men the pair were pictured coaching at the WWE Performance Center is now a main roster superstar.
According to an Instagram post from Nash at the time, he and Hall gave "The Outsiders crash-course" to seven-foot rookie Jordan Omogbehin, now known to WWE fans as Omos.
"Spent the past week at the WWE Performance Center and things are looking up," wrote Nash. "Big Jordan got The Outsiders crash-course. He's incredibly agile and athletic and he has me to block any thoughts of Oz 2. Amazing talent at NXT have really enjoyed every aspect of the week. Big fan of the guy running it ... I think they call him Triple H. Reminds me of a Kliq WCW favorite Terra Ryzing."
After months of appearing on WWE television in various roles, Omogbehin finally made his in-ring debut at WrestleMania 37 as Omos.
The big man pretty much single-handedly won the RAW Tag Team Championships for himself and AJ Styles in his first match on WWE television - and looks to be a major star of the future.
Although he was are far from the only one to see the potential in Omos, Nash's optimism while at the WWE Performance Center proved to be well-founded.
#1 The Rock made a brief appearance at the WWE Performance Center in February 2020
Arguably the most famous person ever to enter the WWE Performance Center, The Rock is the biggest movie star on the planet.
Despite his incredible celebrity status, though, Dwayne Johnson has never forgotten his - or his family's - professional wrestling roots. This is especially true today, as his eldest daughter Simone is currently a trainee at the WWE Performance Center.
Back in February last year, The Rock visited the WWE Performance Center to watch his daughter train. However, while he was there, The Great One also took the opportunity to spend a few hours with the other trainees, answering questions and giving advice to anyone who asked.
The Rock even stepped through the ropes for a short while. The 49-year-old icon gave in-ring tips to both his daughter and a few other fortunate recruits - including reigning IMPACT Wrestling Women's World Champion Deonna Purrazzo.
Of course, The Rock's schedule is so packed that it would be almost impossible for him to carve out a week-long stint at the WWE Performance Center, as some of the other entries in this article. With that said, the few hours he was able to spend in Orlando will live long in the memory of those who were fortunate enough to experience them.
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