Ultimate University returns to the R1 Center in Los Angeles!

Creating tomorrow’s WWE Superstars today! 

Ultimate Pro Wrestling (UPW) is happy to announce that its highly regarded wrestling school, Ultimate University, has officially relocated to the R1 Center in El Segundo California, just 5 minutes from the Los Angeles International Airport.   Ultimate University at R1 has hosted such notables as The Rock, Rob Van Dam, Roddy Piper, John Cena, Diamond Dallas Page, and numerous visits by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE).  "In many ways," says UPW/UU Founder and President, Rick Bassman, "with our return to R1, Ultimate UNiversity returns to its roots."  R1, through Owner Rico Chaiaparelli, has a notable history of its own.  Rico, founder of the legendary RAW Team, guided the career development of Mixed Martial Arts Randy Couture, Mark Coleman, Frank Trigg, Vladimir Matyushenko and many others. 

Since its inception in 1998, Ultimate University (UU) has been at the forefront of the pro wrestling industry. The school has trained over 500 aspiring pro wrestlers.  Over 30 of those dedicated individuals, including Nathan Jones, Jon Heidenreich, Sylvester Terkay, Chris Masters and Luther Reigns have been signed to WWE contracts.  Many of today’s biggest Superstars including current WWE Champion John Cena,  Victoria and The Miz,  first got their feet wet in the sports entertainment business while training at Ultimate University, and performing on UPW live events.  To take a look at who used UPW as a springboard to WWE, click here.  Countless others have been booked through UPW to appear in WWE television commercials, print ads, video game motion capture sessions, televised matches, dark matches (try outs) and as extras on WWE TV and pay-per-view broadcasts.  In 2008, Ultimate University enjoys active relationships with WWE, Total Non-Stop Action Wrestling (TNA), Japan's Inoki Gnome Federation (IGF) and Mexico's AAA, as well as with many promotions regional to Southern California.    To date, UPW/UU has sent over 80 individuals to Mexico, and to Japan to perform in The Land of The Rising Sun.  Through its Ultimate Casting Division, UU actively assists many of its students in Hollywood, with bookings for Commercials, TV Shows and Motion pictures. (Please see www.ultimatecasting.com )

That being said, Ultimate University has established itself as The #1 Pro Wrestling School in the Western U.S.  As a result of our impressive track record of finding and training tomorrow’s Superstars, WWE has called on UPW to discover and develop potential WWE talent in an official capacity.  Consequently, Ultimate University puts its students in the direct view of top decision makers from WWE Talent Relations, and offers the fast track to becoming a WWE Superstar. 

UPW’s illustrious history of sending talent to WWE was recently bolstered by the signing of two Ultimate University students Rycklon Stephens and Mariusz Puczko.  Both Rycklon and Mariusz now train with WWE full-time as they work toward their WWE television debuts.  UPW is also developing several exciting and dynamic young women including Holly Barron, Maritza Franco, Jemma Palmer and Carolyn Magdaleno who all seem to have what it takes to be the next WWE Diva.  Palmer actually relocated all the way from the UK to train with UPW.  To check out Ultimate University’s current student roster, click here.

Ultimate University, in equal parts, strives both to develop well-rounded sports entertainment performers, and to provide a positive experience to students who are simply interested in learing the craft of Pro Wrestling.  Our in-ring Instructors are all highly experienced in the Industry, both as teachers, and as performers themselves, all around the globe.  

Training at Ultimate University also includes psychology and developing on-camera skills, stressing the importance of character development.  UPW offers weekly Promo Class in which students work on becoming larger than life characters, and learn the behind-the-scenes aspects of the business.  Promo Class is taught by Rick Bassman and Todd Keneley.  Keneley is a long time play-by-play commentator and creative team member for UPW.  Todd also appears as on-air talent for Valor Fighting, Showtime’s EliteXC, Ring Of Combat and NWA television programming.

Do you think you have what it takes to be the next Pro Wrestling Superstar?  For details on Ultimate University click here.  Please feel free to contact us with any questions, or to apply to Ultimate University by sending an e-mail to info@upw.com