WWE Accused Of Making Women Develop Eating Disorders With NXT Training

NXT has seen a huge number of changes since the inception of NXT 2.0 back in September 2021. It eventually led to Shawn Michaels taking charge of the developmental brand and going back to the black and gold roots while retaining its focus on the next generation of WWE Superstars. That said, it appears WWE’s developmental brand was blasted for making women develop eating disorders.

Before its reboot in 2021, NXT was seen as WWE’s third brand and treated with the same level of respect. Of course, that’s no longer the case as it now mostly serves as the training ground for eventual main roster call-ups.

Anya Zova signed a developmental contract with WWE in August 2012 and was released a year later after breaking her arm during training. Zova filed a lawsuit against WWE in March 2017, claiming the organization did not train its inexperienced talent properly.

While speaking on the Developmentally Speaking podcast, Anya Zova talked about the training regime from back then. Zova accused WWE of making women develop eating disorders back in the day.

“Looking back, I was just like, ‘Wow that was so intense,’ and I have so much respect for all the wrestlers. I’ve never been in the military, but this is how I think the military looks. You don’t have your life outside of that, it’s basically at the gym from Monday eight in the morning you’re ready to train. Monday is also weigh-in, make sure you’re in a weight category, like wherever you know you have to stay skinny and lean. That actually drove a lot of people nuts and some girls had eating disorders because of that.”

NXT will continue to grow in various ways and with the brand’s focus on its own Premium Live Events, the future is bright for the brand and not toxic as it is no longer what it used to be back in 2012.

What’s your view on this story? Are you shocked by such accusations? Let us know in the comments!