Terry Taylor is one of the most respected, tenured, and influential coaches in modern WWE, but many fans may not be aware of the crucial role he plays in shaping the next generation of superstars. During a recent appearance on “The Velvet Ropes with SoCal Val,” WWE’s Robert Stone shared high praise and some humorous behind-the-scenes stories about the legendary figure, shedding light on his impact at the WWE Performance Center.
Stone, who has worked closely with Taylor in WWE, emphasized that Taylor’s decades of experience across multiple top promotions make him an invaluable resource for new talent. He praised the veteran for his deep understanding of the professional wrestling industry.
“It’s rare to have as long as he’s been around,” Stone stated. “I don’t know if anyone, there’s a coach there that has been around as long as him. So he’s seen it all. He’s done it all. So to pass that knowledge on to some of these newbies to the industry, it’s priceless. I don’t even know if they realize the kind of wrestling education that they’re getting from him.”
Beyond the wealth of knowledge, Stone also painted a picture of Taylor’s unique and comical personality backstage. He shared a few anecdotes that illustrate the kind of character Taylor is, highlighting a friendship that goes back to their shared time in TNA.
“He’s great, and he always drops a joke,” Stone said. “Or he opens a refrigerator and tries to slam it into my head, or he reminds me of how he tried to get me a better paying contract when I was on The Amazing Race. You know, all those things that he has to remind you on a regular basis.”
Since 2012, Taylor has been a cornerstone of WWE’s developmental system, working as a trainer in NXT. His expertise is so valued that, alongside Shawn Michaels, he teaches the “finishing class” at the WWE Performance Center, which is the final and most advanced level of training for superstars before they are deemed ready for television.
Taylor’s own career began in 1979, and he became a popular fan favorite in promotions like Mid-South Wrestling, where he was a multi-time TV Champion and held the prestigious North American Heavyweight Championship. He was also one of the biggest stars in the Universal Wrestling Federation (UWF) before its acquisition by Jim Crockett Promotions.
Many fans will remember his most infamous role in the World Wrestling Federation from 1988 to 1990 as “The Red Rooster.” The gimmick, which saw him managed by Bobby “The Brain” Heenan, portrayed him as a novice wrestler who needed constant instruction. Despite a popular face turn against Heenan, the character is often cited as having had a negative effect on his career perception for years to come.
Following his WWF run, Taylor had multiple stints in World Championship Wrestling (WCW), where he was a member of the York Foundation and a WCW United States Tag Team Champion. He also spent nearly a decade with Total Nonstop Action Wrestling (TNA) from 2003 to 2011, serving in numerous crucial backstage roles including road agent, trainer, and the Director of Talent Relations.
This extensive and varied career, with experience as a top star, a character wrestler, an announcer, and a high-level executive in every major American wrestling promotion of the last 40 years, provides the foundation for the “priceless” knowledge that Robert Stone and others at the WWE Performance Center now benefit from.
Catch Robert Stone tomorrow, Wednesday, October 15, 2025, as he calls the action for the WWE Evolve special, Succession! The event airs at 8 PM ET and can be watched live and for free on Tubi (United States) and YouTube (internationally). The show features the WWE Evolve Championship match between Jackson Drake (c) vs. Bryce Donovan, the WWE Evolve Women’s Championship match between Kali Armstrong (c) vs. Kendal Grey, and a Bullrope Match between Brooks Jensen vs. Tate Wilder.
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