Women’s World Champion explains why hopefuls struggle at Performance Center
Summary
– Liv Morgan explained how WWE tryouts test conditioning, toughness, and commitment
– She said the first day focuses on fundamentals, cardio, and nonstop drills
– Morgan revealed that many hopefuls start quitting once bump training begins
Liv Morgan says WWE tryouts are designed to expose who really wants the job.
While speaking on the Happy Hour podcast, the Women’s World Champion explained that the process is not just about looking athletic or comfortable in a ring. WWE puts hopefuls through a three-day test that challenges their bodies, confidence, and ability to perform under pressure.
Morgan said the first day starts with introductions to the Performance Center, the rules, and the rings. From there, recruits begin working on fundamentals.
“So the first day is kind of like introductory. They give you kind of like the rules, the regulations and you are introduced to the rings. And so you pretty much are doing basic fundamental things like rolls, running the ropes, getting footwork in, cardio, but also there’s like six rings in the Performance Center. So you’re doing these drills in every single ring. They’re pretty much trying to gas you out.”
Morgan said WWE is not only looking for stamina. Officials want to see who can keep pushing even as exhaustion sets in.
“If you’ve got the stamina, but also if you have the drive, if you have the heart, if you have the dedication. I’m just trying to see if you have that grit to withstand, right? And so they just kind of put you through it. That first day is just learning the foundation of kind of how to maneuver in the ring.”
The second day is when the tryout gets much harder. Morgan said that is when hopefuls begin learning how to bump, which means safely hitting the mat in different ways during a match.
“Like how to fall, how to hit the ground, how to fall properly. Back bump, flip bump, front bumps, all different kind of ways that you’re going to fall in a wrestling match. And that’s when people really start… quitting.”
Morgan agreed that this is when people start “dropping like flies.” She admitted that bump training is not enjoyable, but her determination to earn a WWE contract kept her going.
“I don’t know that I enjoyed it, but I was so determined that I would have done anything. It didn’t matter. I just was like, I’m not leaving here without a WWE contract. And so it’s not enjoyable. It’s actually very unnatural and it goes against every kind of human instinct you have to protect yourself.”
The final day shifts toward personality and presentation. Morgan said WWE uses promo work to see who can speak, entertain, control a crowd, and show presence.
“Third day is big promo day where you don’t have to be a character, but they just want you to kind of arrive, see if you can speak to an audience, control an audience, if you’re entertaining, if you’re a good speaker, if you have presence, and kind of just a roundup of everything you learned.”
Morgan made it clear that WWE tryouts are not built for people who only want the image of being a wrestler. The company tests conditioning, pain tolerance, charisma, and how badly someone wants to survive the process.
For Morgan, that mindset made the difference. She knew the tryout would be brutal, but leaving without a contract was never part of her plan.
