Beginning with tonight’s NXT TakeOver event, the WWE Performance Center will be re-modeled with a new presentation being identified as the Capitol Wrestling Center.
In an interview with Justin Barrasso at SI.com, Paul Levesque revealed that the new throwback set will feature a combination of live audience members and virtual ones on-screen.
There will be a contingent of fans in attendance, some of which will be talent, others will be friends and family and some will be fans. We will take every safety precaution that there is. All of this was signed off by our medical staff. Everybody that walks in the building will be PCR tested, take a questionnaire and be medically screened. There will be plexiglass pods with fans that are in groups, and the groups will vary in size. Everyone will wear masks, and each group will never be near anyone else.
It was first reported by Sean Ross Sapp at Fightful Select that tonight’s show would feature a limited audience. POST Wrestling learned on Thursday night that NXT was moving from Full Sail University to the Performance Center for the foreseeable future, as will 205 Live starting this week.
Levesque noted in the SI.com interview that their relationship with Full Sail University has not ended with this latest location change:
I’m very proud of all we’ve done there. This move is the right decision for us from a tech standpoint, but I look forward to returning there soon and the partnership remains strong.
The Capitol Wrestling Center is an homage to the Capitol Wrestling Corporation, which was the banner the McMahon family promoted under beginning in 1953. In June 1982, Capitol Wrestling was sold by Vince McMahon Sr. and partners Gorilla Monsoon, Arnold Skaaland, and Phil Zacko to McMahon’s son, Vince Jr. The younger McMahon was required to make four payments over the ensuing year with any default resulting in ownership reverting to the sellers. McMahon took full control on June 1, 1983
