WWE has another Steiner to its name as Brock Rechsteiner, the son of Scott Steiner, has reportedly signed a WWE Next-In-Line contract. During an interview with Jim Varsollone, Brandon Rechsteiner shared that his brother Brock has inked a deal with the promotion. Brock was offered a NIL deal in January 2025 and now fans can expect to see much more of the second-generation athlete.

Brock Rechsteiner is the latest member of his family to ink a contract with WWE. For years, his father Scott and uncle Rick competed for WWE and the duo would become multi-time Tag Team Champions. In more recent times, Brock’s cousin Bron Breakker has been asserting himself as a two-time NXT Champion and two-time (and current) Intercontinental Champion.

WWE launched its NIL program in 2021 with Olympian Gable Steveson being the first recruit. While Steveson’s WWE career would amount to very little, fans are seeing one NIL signing succeed on a weekly basis. Oba Femi was an NIL signing and has since risen the ranks to become WWE NXT Champion.

It remains to be seen if Brock Rechsteiner reaches the success of Femi or of his family members in WWE. Whatever comes, the young Steiner is ready to make an impact on WWE’s NIL contract.

WWE has signed Hidetora Hanada, a defensive lineman at Colorado State and former sumo grand champion, to a Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deal. Hanada, who won gold in the 2022 World Games, was also invited to attend WWE Royal Rumble on Saturday in Indianapolis, where he got a firsthand look at WWE’s live entertainment experience.

In an Instagram post, Hanada expressed his excitement over the offer and the opportunity to witness one of WWE’s biggest events.

“Every time a superstar made their entrance, the entire arena erupted in a deafening roar, shaking the building with excitement. I experienced a level of intensity and thrill that was completely different from football or sumo wrestling—something truly unique to WWE.”

Hanada was particularly impressed by WWE’s production capabilities and business model. He noted that WWE not only produces its own content but also sells it directly to broadcasters and streaming platforms, making it a powerhouse in the entertainment industry.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ???? ??????Hidetora Hanada (@torajiro.hanada)

The WWE NIL program allows collegiate athletes to explore potential careers in WWE while continuing their current sports careers. Hanada expressed gratitude for the opportunity, saying he is eager to learn more and apply the lessons he gains from this experience to his future endeavors.

With his sumo background and athleticism, Hanada could be a strong prospect for WWE’s developmental system at the Performance Center. As he navigates this new chapter, fans will be watching closely to see if he eventually steps into the WWE ring.

WWE Hall of Famer Scott Steiner has announced that his son, Brock Rechsteiner, has been offered a WWE NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) contract by Triple H. Speaking on Busted Open Radio on Saturday, Steiner revealed,

“Hunter called me the other day, maybe like three weeks ago, and offered my boy an NIL deal.”

Brock Rechsteiner currently plays football as a wide receiver for Jacksonville State University. Standing at 6’2” and weighing 225 pounds, he has demonstrated strong potential on the field, recording 13 receptions for 205 yards and two touchdowns during the 2024 season.

The offer from WWE aligns with Brock’s athletic background and the Steiner family’s celebrated wrestling legacy. His cousin, Bron Breakker, has already established himself as a prominent WWE Superstar.

Breakker, the son of Rick Steiner, competes on the Raw brand and boasts an impressive résumé, including two reigns as NXT Champion with a combined 425 days. He’s currently in his second reign as WWE Intercontinental Champion, cementing his place as one of WWE’s rising stars.

Scott Steiner has previously hinted at his son’s interest in pursuing professional wrestling after his football career concludes. “Once football’s over, he’s going to become a great wrestler,” Steiner shared.

With the NIL contract offer from WWE, Brock Rechsteiner may soon follow in his family’s footsteps, taking the first steps toward a potential wrestling career.

WWE announced the WWE Independent Development (WWE ID) program, aimed at supporting independent wrestlers and providing a pathway to WWE. Prominent wrestling schools have been officially designated as WWE ID partners, including:

• Nightmare Factory (Atlanta, Cody Rhodes and QT Marshall)
• Reality of Wrestling (Houston, Booker T)
• Black and Brave Academy (Davenport, Iowa, Seth Rollins)
• Elite Pro Wrestling Training Center (Concord, N.H.)
• KnokX Pro Academy (Los Angeles)

Trainees and talent at these designated schools will receive a range of support services, including Mentorship, training, and access to WWE’s world-class facilities and resources, such as top-tier trainers and athletic care. Students showing exceptional promise will receive a WWE ID prospect designation to track their development.

“WWE ID is the latest in our efforts to identify and support the journey of up-and-coming wrestlers, in turn raising the profile of and strengthening the independent wrestling ecosystem.”

WWE Chief Content Officer Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque

Talent Recruitment & Development

WWE has established a comprehensive talent development pipeline that feeds into its developmental brand, NXT. At the heart of this system is the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, a world-class facility where prospects hone their in-ring skills and character work.

The company’s NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) program strategically recruits standout collegiate athletes, securing commitments from them to pursue WWE careers after completing their education.

The latest addition, the WWE ID program, partners with premier wrestling schools to identify and cultivate promising talent. Together, these three initiatives ensure a steady stream of prospects as they search for the next generations of wrestling superstars.

Over the last year, WWE has expanded their approach talent recruitment to target a new group of people — college athletes.

In December 2021, the company unveiled their NIL (Name, Image & Likeness) program, opening up a route for collegiate athletics to enter WWE. According to Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque the system will properly “ready the NCAA competitors for WWE once their collegiate careers come to a close.” 

15 college athletes officially joined the inaugural class, including track & field athlete Masai Russell. Hailing from Potomac, Maryland, Russell competes out of the University of Kentucky, with some impressive accolades to her name.

In high school, Russell claimed the top ranking in the 300m hurdles, and proved herself as the Gatorade Athlete of the Year in Maryland in 2018. At the 2018 Pan American Junior Games, she also claimed a bronze medal in the 400m hurdles. Now, Russell has unlocked a new achievement.

Record-Breaking Performance

On Friday, January 20, Masai Russell competed at the TTU Red Raider Open. There, she made it to the finals of the Women’s 60m hurdles event, and effectively swept away her opponents.

Clocking in at a time of 7.75 seconds, Russell surpassed Grace Starks 7.78 time to take over the all-time NCAA record.

In response to her impressive feat, Triple H congratulated the NIL athlete via Twitter.

“Congratulations to #WWENIL athlete @masai_russell on setting a new
@NCAA record in the 60m hurdles! An incredible achievement with undoubtedly more to come…” he wrote.

Last fall, WWE introduced a new recruiting tactic: “WWE Campus Rush.”

Throughout October, November, and December 2022, the company explored multiple college campuses as a part of an athlete recruitment tour. Several current WWE Superstars aided in the “campus rush,” including Big E, Bianca Belair, Omos, Madcap Moss and Raquel Rodriguez. Now in 2023, the tour will continue with stops in the University of Florida, University of Michigan, Michigan State University, Texas A&M University, and more as WWE looks for the next generation of WWE Superstars.

One of WWE’s NIL, or Next In Line, recruits has been dismissed from their college wrestling team due to a report of sexual assault made against them.

Back in December 2021, AJ Ferrari was announced as part of the Inaugural NIL Class. AJ Ferrari was a member of the Oklahoma State wrestling team.

Report Filed & Athlete Dismissed

On Monday, according to The O’Colly, AJ Ferrari was dismissed from the Oklahoma State wrestling team. Oklahoma State University also confirmed the report to Pistols Firing.

On July 5, a woman from Stillwater, Oklahoma filed a restraining order against the former collegiate athlete. The investigation is still ongoing, and official records from the report have not been released.

The Stillwater Police Department announced that its Criminal Investigations Department is investigating a report of sexual assault made against the former Oklahoma State wrestling team member.

National Champion Let Go

Ferrari was 30-1 in his career at Oklahoma State. During his freshman season, he went 20-1 and won a national championship at 197 pounds. He was 10-0 as a sophomore before a car accident ended his season. As a result of the accident, he suffered internal damage to his shoulder.

In April, AJ said he was going to win more National Championships before getting the WWE Championship. 

WWE is set to hold its next round of collegiate tryouts during SummerSlam week

WWE’s NIL program continues to add new athletes looking to become breakout stars.

The company has announced that 15 college athletes will be joining the “Next In Line” program. The second NIL class features athletes from 14 universities.

These athletes have competed in a wide range of sports from football to collegiate wrestling, gymnastics, and more.

Here is the second WWE NIL class:

• Ali Mattox of Ole Miss, a 5-foot-7 cheer & dance athlete from Little Rock, Ark.
• Case Hatch of Arizona State, a 6-foot-1, 230-pound football player from Gilbert, Ariz.
• Chandler Hayden of Tennessee, a 5-foot-11 track & field athlete from Pittsfield, Ill.
• Cohlton Schultz of Arizona State, a 6-foot-2, 285-pound wrestler from Parker, Colo.
• Derrian Gobourne of Auburn, a 5-foot-4 gymnast from Sarasota, Fla.
• Ericka Link of Elon, a 5-foot-6 volleyball player from Hedgesville, W.Va.
• Keshaun Moore of Hampton, a 6-foot-3, 270-pound football player from Suffolk, Va.
• Luke Ford of Illinois, a 6-foot-6, 260-pound football player from Carterville, Ill.
• Maliq Carr of Michigan State, a 6-foot-5, 245-pound football and basketball player from Inkster, Mich.
• Mikala Hall of Central Michigan, a 5-foot-5 basketball player from Danville, Ill.
• Rachel Glenn of South Carolina, a 6-foot track & field athlete from Long Beach, Calif.
• Ruben Banks of Arkansas, a 6-foot-4, 270-pound track & field athlete from Binfield, England
• Thunder Keck of Stanford, a 6-foot-3, 245-pound football player from Northfield, N.H.
• Tyanna Omazic of Miami, a 6-foot-2 volleyball player from Kansas City, Mo.
• Zachary Knighton-Ward of Hofstra, a 6-foot-2, 285-pound wrestler from Rosedale, N.Y.

WWE will be officially welcoming these athletes at the inaugural NIL summit tonight (June 13). It’ll be held inside the College Football Hall of Fame in Atlanta.

WWE’s inaugural NIL class was introduced back in late 2021.