Notable Indie Names at This Week’s WWE Tryouts

WWE is holding tryouts this week at the Performance Center in Orlando from April 24 through April 27. The new prospects have already reported and are showing WWE officials what they’re made of in hopes of landing a spot in the WWE Universe, most likely starting out in NXT. Lots of fitness models and former athletes, but some indie talents as well. Here’s a look at the wrestlers at the Performance Center this week. The full list was revealed by Casey Michael of Squared Circle Sirens.

LANCE ANOI’A

If the last name sounds familiar, it’s because Lance Anoi’a is part of one of the WWE’s (and pro wrestling’s) largest wrestling families. The grandson of Wild Samoan Afa and the son of former WWF and WCW Superstar Samu (a member of the Samoan SWAT Team and The Headshrinkers), the 27-year old has been wrestling since 2010, after being trained by his family at the Wild Samoan’s Word Xtreme Wrestling (WXW). He’s been a featured performer with Major League Wrestling (MLW) over the past year as well as MCW Pro, House of Hardcore and many others.

PAXTON CALLOWAY

A young talent from the Midwest region, Paxton Calloway stands an impressive 7′ tall.

DANIKA DELLA ROUGE

Another relative newcomer, Danika Della Rouge began wrestling in early 2018 under the tutelage of Buddy Wayne. She’s starting to make a name for herself, with recent appearances for DEFY Wrestling in the Pacific Northwest.

 

ALEX GARCIA

Alex Garcia is another emerging star from the past year, who has competed with SHIMMER, Shine and RISE in the US, as well as Japan’s Stardom last year.

IVELISSE

Ivelisse is finally free from her Lucha Underground contract and now the indie veteran is looking for another shot with WWE. Prior to becoming a star with Lucha Underground, as well as her appearances with Shine, SHIMMER, Defiant Wrestling and more, she was in WWE’s developmental from 2011 to 2012, where she competed as Sofia Cortez in NXT’s earliest days.

RANDALL FLOYD

A pro wrestler since 2014 following a strong amateur career, Randall Floyd has become a mainstay with Ohio Valley Wrestling, where he’s a former 2x OVW Television Champion.

“SUGA BEAR” AJ FRANCIS

A former pro football player in the NFL, Francis retired in 2018 and has begun his career as a pro wrestler, trained by The Dudley Boyz at the 3D Academy.

JXT

Victoria, Australia’s JXT has been working the Aussie indies since 2011, working with Melbourne City Wrestling (MCW), New Age Wrestling (NAW), and much more, before relocating to the US in April of this year. The former MCW Intercommonwealth and Tag Team Champion is yet another Australian getting a tryout with the WWE as it looks to capitalize on another emerging global indie scene.

SKYLER MOORE

Another Team 3D student, Skyler Moore is a young talent in the indie circuit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXi7rwJVlQU

NOVA

Trained by Tyson Dux, “NOVA” Andrea Benoit is an emerging Canadian indie talent who is plying her wares in the Canadian indies, such as Smash Wrestling and beyond.

TESHA PRICE

A young star from Michigan, Tesha Price is making a name for herself in Shine, SHIMMER and RISE and has already worked for NXT in an enhancement role.

FLO RILEY

Another Canadian prospect, Montreal’s Flo Riley is a four year pro who works for Montreal’s Torture Chamber Pro Wrestling (TCPW), as well as other Canadian indies like Ottawa’s Capital City Championship Combat (C4), BATTLEWAR, and Federation Canadienne de Lutte (FCL) as well as France’s Association Biterroise de Catch (ABC).

PATRICK SCOTT

Patrick Scott is a 22-year old from North Carolina, trained by current WWE producer and former ECW World Champion Steve Corino. He’s worked with Beyond Wrestling, Fire Star Pro, Carolina Wrestling Federation (CWF) Mid Atlantic, and more, including enhancement work for NXT.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwlDtfgPxYY

EDGRIN STONE

Another young prospect, Edgrin Stone is a product of Louisiana’s WildKat Wrestling.

TONY STORM

This Iowa-based grappler is an old school throwback, but he’s already been recognized by the Cauliflower Alley Club, an institution for wrestlers past and present, winning the Men’s Wrestling Award in 2018.

CADMAN TURNER

Originally from the Aussie indie scene, he moved to Canada where he’s recently been training with former WWE Superstar Santino Marella at the BattleArts Academy near Toronto.

ALEXANDER ZAYNE