Today marks the end of an era as NXT starts its television production from the WWE Performance Center, moving out of Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida.
The two parties started their partnership in 2012 where thousands of students who were studying at Full Sail took on several jobs during NXT live events and broadcasts, helping out in production, filming, audio, and everything in between while continuing their film and entertainment-related studies at the university.
As of last year, WWE awarded 22 scholarships to Full Sail students, amounting to nearly half a million dollars, allowing students to get real-world experience in broadcast television.
The first WWE Network televised event was held from Full Sail with NXT ArRival in February 2014 and since then, WWE has produced countless hours of programming for NXT and tournaments such as the Mae Young Classic, Cruiserweight Classic, and the reality TV show Tough Enough. Each televised show has the help of around 50 Full Sail students and over two dozen more individuals who help set up Full Sail Live for its weekly broadcasts.
WWE’s partnership with Full Sail also gave its students the opportunity to help out in other major WWE events such as WrestleMania where students were part of the camera team and other production supporting roles.
A few years ago, Full Sail President Garry Jones said that the university is “humbled” by WWE’s dedication and to help realize the dreams of their students. “Collaborating with WWE has elevated the education experience here at Full Sail University by creating many opportunities for our students to be mentored by some of the best minds in the entertainment production industry,” Jone said.
But with Full Sail mostly shut due to coronavirus, WWE has been handling all production themselves, defeating the purpose of filming inside Full Sail Live where students had been helping out. The university is also not allowing fans inside its Full Sail Live arena, preventing NXT from having a limited audience during its weekly shows.
The partnership between the two however is not completely shut as both are open to resuming their deal if and when the coronavirus pandemic is handled.
