Mandy Rose Claims NXT Trainees Had to Clean Wrestling Rings After Herpes Outbreak

Mandy Rose is pulling the curtain back on what really went down behind the scenes in WWE’s NXT system—and her story might gross you out.

While chatting with husband and former NXT talent Tino Sabbatelli on their Power Alphas podcast, Mandy dropped a shocking revelation about just how unsanitized the developmental grind could get.

As the two reminisced about their earliest WWE experiences, Mandy recalled watching Tino struggle to adjust to the grueling setup life. That’s when she casually mentioned something no fan would expect: cleaning the rings due to a herpes outbreak.

“I felt bad for him… I watched this like good-looking stud, you know, put up lights and then he saw his first cockroach and he was like, ‘Oh my god.’ Then we had to clean the rings in NXT ’cause there was like a— a herpes outbreak, guys. I don’t even know if everyone knows that one.”

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The story wasn’t framed as a punchline—it was part of a bigger point about how different things were back then. Mandy made it clear that earning your stripes in NXT meant dealing with uncomfortable, sometimes unsanitary realities. She explained that this system was designed to humble people and teach them to work their way up.

“This is the beautiful thing too. I get why they do this for most people as well. It’s because there’s always, you know, a bottom. You always have to work your way up.”

In today’s WWE, many newcomers are treated differently, coming in through NIL deals, influencer contracts, or direct recruitment. But back when Mandy and Tino joined the system, that wasn’t the case. You were expected to clean mats, set up lights, and stay quiet—no matter your past success.

This latest insight from Mandy Rose gives fans a raw look at what life in NXT was really like before WWE restructured its developmental approach. Cleaning a ring after a herpes outbreak might sound wild, but for her and others, it was just another day chasing the dream.

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