The Texas Wrestling Academy/Alliance (formerly known as The Shawn Michaels Wrestling Academy) is a professional wrestling training school that was operated by Shawn Michaels and Rudy Boy Gonzalez. The school has produced many well-known wrestlers such as Daniel Bryan, Brian Kendrick, Paul London, Lance Cade, Shawn Hernandez, Matt Bentley and Milano Collection A.T.
After briefly retiring from active wrestling in 1998 after back surgery, Shawn Michaels opened the Shawn Michaels Wrestling Academy in April 1999 with Ken Johnson, Jose Lothario and Rudy Boy Gonzalez. They also started a professional wrestling promotion to go along with the school called the Texas Wrestling Alliance (TWA). Less than a month into the program a fall out occurred between Lothario and Michaels leaving Johnson and Gonzalez in charge in the training and booking of shows. Paul Diamond was also brought in to assist in booking of events. Shortly there after, Johnson departed as well. Gonzalez took over complete training of the SMWA. No other assistants were brought in. A fall out between Michaels and Diamond, with Diamond leaving, also left Gonzalez in charge of Texas Wrestling Alliance shows. When Michael returned to WWE, he left the SMWA/TWA to Gonzalez.
A tribute to Lance Cade, who trained at the SMWA, took place on March 5, 2011 at the Texas Wrestling Academy gym in San Antonio, Texas. Cade died on August 13, 2010 as a result of heart failure.
Notable former students[]
- Daniel Bryan
- Brian Kendrick
- Lance Cade
- Paul London
- Matt Bentley
- Simply Luscious
- Hernandez
- Masada
- Milano Collection AT