AEW was quietly working on launching its own training facilitybut according to new backstage reports, the plug was pulled before it could take shape.
During a recent Q&A session, Fightfuls Sean Ross Sapp revealed that AEW had discussions about creating a dedicated training center earlier this year. At one point, Ace Steel was rumored to be in line to lead the operation before his departure from the company, but things never moved forward.
AEW currently has access to a facility with a ring for talent to work in, but the new plan was much biggera full-fledged development system akin to what WWE operates with NXT and the Performance Center.
According to internal talk, the proposed location was Asheville, North Carolina, and it wasnt just about a ring and some weights. AEW was reportedly eyeing a star-studded coaching roster, including:
The facility wouldve marked a major step toward AEW creating a structured pipeline for talent development. But in the end, it came down to one thing: money.
One surprising nugget in all of this? Stings son, Steven Borden, was reportedly headed to Asheville to trainsuggesting the plans were far enough along that some talent had already been given direction to prepare for it.
While the dream of an AEW training facility in Asheville is currently shelved, the interest is clearly there. With the right budget and timing, this concept could very well return down the lineespecially as AEW continues to grow its roster and expand its programming.
Would you like to see AEW open its own developmental system like WWEs Performance Center? And should veterans like Beth Phoenix and Adam Copeland lead it? Share your thoughts in the comments.
