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Tag: WWE Tryouts

  • WWE Tryout Attendee Regina Tarin Makes UFC Debut This Saturday

    A familiar name from WWE\’s January Performance Center tryout is stepping into the Octagon this Saturday — and she\’s doing it on short notice.

    Regina Tarin, the undefeated Mexican MMA fighter who attended WWE\’s Performance Center tryout during the week of January 12, will make her UFC debut at UFC Mexico City on February 28 when she faces Ernesta Kareckaite in a 130-pound catchweight bout on the prelims.

    Tarin stepped in as a last-minute replacement for Sofia Montenegro, who withdrew from the flyweight bout for undisclosed reasons. The news was first reported by Eurosport\’s Marcel Dorff.

    From the Performance Center to the Octagon

    Nicknamed \”Kill Bill,\” the 21-year-old from Mexico City is one of the most hyped undefeated prospects in women\’s MMA. She holds a perfect 7-0 professional record with six finishes — four knockouts and two submissions — having competed for Combate Global and the Budo Sento Championship, where she won the women\’s bantamweight title.

    It was at WWE\’s January 2026 tryout camp — the same one where John Cena served as a promo coach — that Tarin documented her time at the Performance Center on social media, noting she was the only Mexican fighter invited. She confirmed she would continue pursuing MMA regardless of any WWE interest.

    On Instagram, Tarin reacted to her UFC call-up with characteristic confidence:

    \”God\’s plans are perfect and good people always have good things happen. This Saturday is my debut in UFC Mexico people. I\’m going to give it all I\’m ready and it\’s my time.\”

    A Poetic Twist: Montenegro Connection

    There\’s an added layer of storyline to Tarin\’s debut. She was originally booked to compete on Dana White\’s Contender Series in 2025 — but her team pulled her from that fight in a bid to secure a direct UFC contract. Montenegro stepped in and took her slot on that card. Now, with Montenegro withdrawing from UFC Mexico City, Tarin has gotten an even bigger stage than the one she originally walked away from.

    The MMA-to-WWE pipeline has a proven track record. Ronda Rousey became one of WWE\’s biggest stars, and Shayna Baszler parlayed her MMA credibility into a long run in NXT and on the main roster. With her natural charisma, undefeated record, and the \”Kill Bill\” nickname ready-made for a wrestling persona, Tarin clearly has the tools that caught WWE\’s attention.

    For now, her focus is Saturday night in Mexico City. UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs. Kavanagh airs live on Paramount+ in the United States.

  • WWE Tryouts Underway: February 2026 Participants

    WWE\’s latest round of Performance Center tryouts is underway in Orlando, Florida. The camp includes medical evaluations and in-ring assessments, and features a blend of established independent wrestlers and athletes from non-wrestling backgrounds.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/DU8UJwTkaOa/?img_index=1

    Independent Wrestlers

    The following independent wrestlers are among the confirmed and reported attendees this week:

    • Richard Holliday – Former MLW World Tag Team Champion and member of The Dynasty alongside MJF and Alex Hammerstone. Holliday previously attended a WWE tryout in September 2023 but did not receive an offer. He was photographed at the February 17 NXT taping, indicating his participation.
    • Notorious Mimi – A returning familiar face; she previously appeared in NXT as Sloane Jacobs before her 2022 release.
    • Airica Demia
    • Nikki Blackheart
    • Fallyn Grey
    • Promise Braxton
    • Valentina Rossi – Has prior appearances on AEW Dark.
    • Zoe Stark – WWE ID talent also listed among this week\’s participants.

    Tag Teams

    • The Dropouts (Scotty Green and The Tuckman) – Australian tag team making the trip to Orlando.
    • The Filip Brothers (Taiga Tome and Stevie Filip)

    https://www.instagram.com/p/DU9H7bzkjmk

    Athletes From Other Sports

    • Aliza Tessler – Powerlifter
    • Ana Carol da Silva – Olympic shot putter
    • Ryan Meed – University of Illinois linebacker
    • Penny Linnaye – Personal trainer
    • Ricky South – Australian independent wrestler

    WWE Ramping Up Tryout Activity in 2026

    This camp marks WWE\’s second known tryout of 2026, following a January session that drew headlines for John Cena\’s involvement as a promo coach. WWE has signaled plans for significantly more tryouts throughout 2026, with a renewed focus on in-shape independent wrestlers who can work and deliver promos.

    No signings from this week\’s camp have been announced, and WWE typically does not confirm offers publicly until contracts are signed. Full participant lists are often not released until after the fact, so additional names may surface on social media in the coming days.

  • WWE Tryout Recap: Cena Coaches Promos, Concussion Concerns Emerge

    WWE\’s first tryout camp of 2026 wrapped this week at the Performance Center in Orlando, delivering a mix of star power, controversy, and strategic shifts in talent recruitment.

    The multi-day camp featured a surprise appearance from John Cena, who served as coach for the promo class portion of the tryout. Undefeated MMA fighter Regina Tarin documented Cena\’s involvement on Instagram, sharing a photo with the caption, \”Coach: John Cena.\”

    The tryout drew a diverse class including indie standout Starboy Charlie, basketball player James Karnik, and strength athletes Bruss Hamilton and Joshua Hillen.

    However, safety concerns emerged after social media influencer Sallie Grace publicly quit the camp following a concussion. Grace alleged that \”everyone\’s getting concussed left and right\” during drills, claiming coaches pushed participants to take bumps \”harder and harder.\” She announced her departure by telling a coach directly that she \”can\’t ruin my brain.\”

    https://www.instagram.com/reel/DTn31ABgdq0/

    According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the tryout was strategically structured to spotlight Black male athletes and bodybuilder-type prospects. Dave Meltzer reported this emphasis was a direct response to criticism that Triple H \”doesn\’t push black males\” on the main roster, with WWE leadership \”aware of the optics.\”

    The camp also signals a broader recruitment pivot away from college/NIL athletes toward in-shape indie wrestlers who can already work and cut promos.

  • Names Revealed For Upcoming WWE Performance Center Tryout

    WWE has identified several standout athletes for an upcoming Performance Center tryout in Orlando, with a new report confirming three notable names to watch.

    According to PWInsider, WWE is set to host tryouts during the week of January 12. The confirmed attendees include Joshua Hillen, James Karnik, and Regina Tarin, each bringing unique athletic backgrounds to the table.

    The Marine

    Joshua Hillen is a former United States Marine from Akron, Ohio who recently won the title of America\’s Strongest Veteran at a strongman competition in Las Vegas in October. The 5\’7\” competitor took first place in three of the competition\’s five events, including the Trump Weights Axle Clean and Press, the Keg Carry Over Bar, and the Sandbag Throw. Hillen has been competing in strongman competitions for eight years.

    The Baller

    James Karnik (IG) is a 27-year-old basketball player from Surrey, Canada standing 6\’9\”. He has played for both Canadian and European teams, most recently averaging 5.7 points and 2.7 rebounds for Neptunas in the Lithuanian Basketball League. Karnik also played for the Vancouver Bandits during the 2022, 2024, and 2025 seasons.

    The MMA Fighter

    Regina Tarin brings the most combat sports experience to the tryout. The Mexico native, nicknamed \”Kill Bill,\” is an undefeated MMA fighter with a 7-0 professional record dating back to her debut in 2023.

    https://www.instagram.com/regina_tarin/p/DTTjSo9gXpY/?hl=en

    Neither Hillen nor Karnik have professional wrestling experience, but WWE has a history of recruiting athletes from diverse backgrounds.

    Recent NXT signees include Jordynne Grace, a known powerlifter, Lash Legend, a former WNBA player, and Bron Breakker, a former NFL fullback.

    The tryout comes as WWE continues to restock its developmental system following recent call-ups of stars like Je\’Von Evans, Oba Femi, and Trick Williams to the main roster.

    The Performance Center tryout system serves as the primary gateway for prospects to potentially earn developmental deals and join the NXT roster.