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Since opening its doors in 2013, the WWE Performance Center has had some of the most elite athletes in the world practice their trade there. The over 26,000 square foot facility doesn't just provide aspiring and experienced talent with several rings, but so much more. Between a strength and conditioning program, opportunities to work on their promotional skills, and hands-on coaching the facility is truly state of the art.
While the facility provides the best opportunities for talent to succeed, it is still up to the talent to ultimately emerge successfully. Over the last year, several men and women have been developing their skills in the WWE Performance Center. The following are Superstars that stand out as potential future stars in 2020 NXT. Who are they and what about them stands out so much? Here are five WWE Performance Center Talents to watch out for in 2020.
5. Scarlett Bordeaux
Scarlett Bordeaux brings sex appeal to the ring, but will knock you out if you aren't paying attention. The former IMPACT Wrestling star has all the tools to be successful as part of the NXT Women's Division. Bordeaux was rumored to be joining the promotion upon her departure from IMPACT Wrestling earlier this fall. Her arrival at the WWE's Performance Center suggested she wasn't there simply to try out.
The eight-year veteran has competed for promotions such as Chikara, Ring of Honor, IMPACT Wrestling, and AAA in Mexico among her stops. Her career has long been influenced by women that carry very specific attributes that have inspired her throughout the years. Whether it is Awesome Kong, Bull Nakano, Gail Kim or Lita, Bordeaux has been influenced by some of the best female wrestlers of all time. She will likely show that to an NXT audience in 2020.
4. Shotzi Blackheart
When rumors were circulating that this former SHIMMER talent was on the verge of signing a deal with the WWE, they were immediately shot down. However, when William Regal appeared at an EVOLVE event and presented Shotzi Blackheart with an offer those rumors became a reality. As only a four-year pro, Blackheart exploded in popularity on the independent scene. She has wrestled in over 300 matches over the past three years alone.
Blackheart's fighting spirit is best described as someone with something to prove. Often referred to as the 'Ballsy Badass,' Blackheart has captured championships in promotions such as SHINE, RiSE, and IWA Mid-South. She has won accolades such as SoCal Women Wrestler of the Year and was ranked in Pro Wrestling Illustrated's Top Female of the Year for 2018 and 2017. Shotzi Blackheart was also recognized as the SoCal Women's Wrestler of the Year in 2017.
3. El Hijo Del Fantasma
If wrestling fans haven't seen El Hijo Del Fantasma compete, they have certainly missed out. A ring general of nearly twenty years, Del Fantasma largely earned his popularity competing in Mexico's famed Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre (CMLL). Del Fantasma later competed in rival promotion Triple-A and had most recently been a part of Lucha Underground as King Cuerno. It was as part of Lucha Underground where his Cuerno character was developed into a big 'game hunter'.
He lost his mask in a match against LA Park when he was forced to remove it after taking the loss. As many may know, losing one's mask is seen as the biggest defeat in the luchador tradition. However, when one door closes another opens. This past August, Del Fantasma signed a contract with WWE and then reported to the Performance Center. He continues to work on his craft while there.
2. Santana Garrett
Santana Garrett first emerged on the independent wrestling scene as part of the Coastal Championship Wrestling Promotion. The company was based out of Florida and provided Garrett with valuable training early in her career. Santana Garrett has competed in both the United States and England. While she hasn't competed as much this past year, that doesn't take away from her body of work. Of her recorded 21 matches in 2019, 16 of them have actually been for WWE in house shows or dark matches.
This past Summer, Garrett was reported to have signed a developmental deal with the WWE. Over the past few years, Garrett has competed for the WWE on various occasions. In fact, she was part of the 2017 Mae Young Classic where she lost to Piper Niven in the first round of the tournament. She carries a fire with her in the ring that suggests that 2020 will be her year to shine in WWE.
1.Austin Theory
He is only 22 years of age and burst onto the scene when he was only 18. Austin Theory's first match was with the World Wrestling Alliance when he faced and defeated fellow independent sensation, AR Fox. From there Theory has competed in the United Kingdom with Progress Wrestling. However, once he was with the Gabe Sapolsky operated World Wrestling Network. His greatest learning came when he faced the likes of current WWE NXT talent Roderick Strong and Keith Lee. During his young career, Theory has captured numerous championships.
Whether it is as an EVOLVE champion, two-time WWN champion or the Crash Lucha Libre Heavyweight Champion, Theory is nothing short of a prodigy to garner as much attention he has, especially for someone so young. Theory recently made his television debut challenging Roderick Strong for the WWE North American Championship. With his combined looks, ring charisma, and overall skill-set, Theory appears set to be a prominent character in 2020 WWE.
