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WWE Superstars are comprised of some of the most highly trained professionals in the wrestling industry today. The company's Performance Center is known to churn out some of the best talent in the world. Since its inception, the WWE PC has helped the company spot the best wrestlers and given them their chance on television. However, most of WWE’s top talent has come into the company with a lot of prior training and experience.
Most of the current WWE Superstars have been taught by legends and former wrestlers while others have trained under current WWE Superstars.
Ronda Rousey is one of the bigger names who came into the company recently. She was helped in her first days by Brian Kendrick and Natalya. Meanwhile, several other Superstars were given their initial training by current WWE wrestlers.
Let's look at 9 Superstars in WWE today who were trained by fellow Superstars.
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#9-7 WWE Superstars Finn Balor and Killian Dain trained Nikki Cross, Mark & Joe Coffey
Nikki Cross is one of the most prominent women in WWE today. She is a two-time WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion with Alexa Bliss.
Cross hails from Scotland, a country that is close to Finn Balor’s homeland, Ireland. This has allowed the former member of Sanity to learn a lot from The Prince of NXT who has trained the WWE Superstar in the past.
Before joining WWE, Cross was a part of World Wonder Ring Stardom. Her Stardom profile reads as follows:
“Nikki Storm began her training and career in Glasgow, Scotland in 2008. She was trained by Damian O’Conner and has also been taught at various seminars at the SWA school by Robbie Brookside, Prince Fergal Devitt, Johnny Kidd and Paul Tracey. She made her debut with the Scottish Wrestling Alliance in September of 2008.”
Prince Fergal Devitt is the former ring name of Finn Balor, who has helped several current WWE Superstars learn the art of wrestling. However, the main man who helped Cross learn the ropes is none other than her husband, Killian Dain (Damian O'Connor).
On the other hand, brothers Mark and Joe Coffey are two of the toughest WWE Superstars in NXT UK today. The two men hail from Scotland, and WWE has noted that they were both trained by Dain and Balor. Mark Coffey’s WWE profile reads as follows:
“Trained by the likes of Killian Dain and Finn Bálor and molded in Japan’s Zero1 Dojo, this onetime rugby player is as tough as they come. Coffey has competed all over Scotland, Ireland and Japan, amassing tag team and singles championships along the way.”
Balor has been instrumental in training some of the best wrestlers competing around the world today in his own academy. Dain, on the other hand, has also helped train the three Superstars.
#6 WWE Superstar Mercedes Martinez trained Shayna Baszler
Shayna Baszler is one of the WWE Superstars who has been ripping up the WWE RAW roster since her move to the brand from NXT. Baszler was the longest-reigning NXT Women’s Champion and had won a Survivor Series main event before her move to RAW.
The WWE Superstar has enjoyed a lot of success in wrestling following a career in mixed martial arts. However, it must be noted that she was trained by current NXT star Mercedes Martinez in her earlier days.
The two women had a match during the 2017 edition of the Mae Young Classic and WWE issued the following press release after their match:
“After refusing to show respect to any of her Mae Young Classic opponents, Shayna Baszler finally agreed to a pre-match handshake with Mercedes Martinez. For good reason, too, as The Latina Sensation was a mentor to Baszler as she made the transition from the UFC to wrestling.”
Martinez was a mentor to The Queen of Spades while she was transitioning from an MMA fighter to a wrestler. Martinez is currently a WWE Superstar on NXT who was paired with RAW’s RETRIBUTION for some time, before being pulled back.
#5 Former WWE RAW Women's Champion Becky Lynch gave WWE Superstar Kyle O’Reilly his first lesson
Becky Lynch is one of the biggest names in the sports entertainment industry and in WWE at the moment. Lynch decided to take a chance and turn her entire career upside down by venturing into areas no female WWE Superstar had dared to go before.
The former RAW Women’s Champion has managed to make a name for herself on all three brands of WWE over the past few years. What's more interesting to note is that she initially trained one of the top WWE Superstars in NXT.
Kyle O’Reilly is a former NXT Tag Team Champion who has had some breakout performances in recent months. Speaking to Jim Ross on The Ross Report earlier this year, Becky Lynch revealed that she gave O’Reilly his first wrestling class in Canada.
“A few months later I dropped out of college and moved off to Canada and wrestled over there and it's so funny like because I taught the first class that Kyle O'Reilly was in and it's so crazy to see what he's doing now in NXT and everything.”
Not only did Becky Lynch share with the fans what her wrestling journey has been like, but she also revealed that she helped train one of the best technical wrestlers in WWE today.
#4 WWE Superstar Trent Seven trained Tyler Bate
Moustache Mountain is one of the most well-known British tag teams in the world, leaving a mark as WWE Superstars. Not only are Tyler Bate and Trent Seven famous for their iconic facial hair, but they are also very well-known for their incredible wrestling skills. Currently signed to WWE NXT, both men are making waves on NXT’s UK brand.
While Seven is almost 40 years old, Bate is still just 23 and is a former WWE NXT United Kingdom Champion. What makes their bond even more special is the fact that Seven initially trained Bate to become a wrestler.
Bate started taking interest in wrestling at a very young age and met Seven when he was just 13 or 14 years old. During an interview with Sky Sports, Seven recalled what it was like working with the youngster way before they became WWE Superstars.
“I think he was 13 or 14 years old when I first saw him - I was amazed then but he continues to supersede any expectations. He is a very gifted young man and seeing the way he confidently strode into the UK Tournament and knocked down everyone in front of him [was great to see]. He is such a wide skill set and can excel at so many different styles. You have to be at the top of your game to go toe to toe with him.”
Both Brits are prominent WWE Superstars in NXT UK, and we will likely watch them compete in some more high profile matches before they head to different brands.
#3 WWE Superstar Ben Carter was trained by Seth Rollins
Seth Rollins is one of the finest WWE Superstars in the company. Over the years, Rollins has had a massive influence both inside and outside the ring in the wrestling industry. Along with Marek Brave, Rollins also runs a wrestling school known as The Black and The Brave Wrestling Academy.
In 2020, the company signed a new WWE Superstar for its NXT UK brand, Ben Carter. Rollins pointed out that Carter was a student of his, and had high praise for the newcomer.
"Ben Carter came to the United States with a dream, and he is living that dream right now because of how dedicated he is. To me, the sky is the limit for Ben Carter; it truly is. He is one of the most athletically gifted performers I've ever seen, and the way he moves in the ring reminds me so much of the Dynamite Kid and Eddie Guerrero. He's got so much snap, so much whip. He soaks up information like a sponge. He is always asking questions. He could live in a wrestling ring if you let him. So, I think he has all the ingredients to make it to the top."
The Architect compared Carter to legends such as Eddie Guerrero and Dynamite Kid, proving that the new WWE Superstar has a lot of potential. William Regal, on the other hand, claimed that wrestlers trained by Seth Rollins always get his attention and interest.
"I first found out about Ben Carter when he was over here training at Seth Rollins' wrestling school. If I hear anybody has been trained by Seth Rollins, I'm interested because Seth Rollins is as good as it gets."
Carter made his WWE NXT UK debut in early January 2021 and caught the attention of a large portion of the WWE Universe with his great performance.
#2-1 Former WWE Universal Champion Finn Balor trained Becky Lynch and Jordan Devlin
Finn Balor is one of the top WWE Superstars of NXT, while Becky Lynch has managed to become a huge name in women’s wrestling. While Balor and Lynch are currently performing in WWE together, it’s interesting to note that The Man initially started training at Balor’s wrestling school. That's not all, as The Prince trained the WWE Superstar himself.
Lynch has spoken about her friendship with Balor many times and has credited him for believing in her and training her to become a big star. While speaking to ESPN, Balor claimed that Becky had something special, and that she trained herself more than he trained her.
"I think Becky gives me too much credit. I think she says that I trained her, but really, Becky, in my opinion, trained herself. She just needed a little guidance and a little motivation with regards to where to go and what to do."
NXT Cruiserweight Champion Jordan Devlin, on the other hand, is a top WWE Superstar from NXT UK. Devlin has received praise from Triple H and William Regal for his in-ring work.
In early 2019, at NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool, the WWE Universe received a huge surprise as Balor replaced Travis Banks to compete in a match against Devlin. Balor defeated his former wrestling student after a hard-fought match. Both the WWE Superstars hail from Ireland, and Balor helped the NXT UK star in his initial days.
Sky Sports spoke to Devlin about being compared to Balor, and the influence he’s had on him.
“He has been a great influence. People say to me a lot that my movement in the ring is similar to his - the footwork and fluidity of motion is something I would have picked up from so many hours training and wrestling with him.”
While Devlin has played a great heel character and disrespected Balor on television, it’s evident the rising WWE Superstar holds his teacher in high regard.
