WWE has launched an innovative initiative reportedly aimed at nurturing independent wrestling talent and strengthening the wrestling ecosystem.
The WWE ID Program, short for WWE Independent Development, is described as a groundbreaking developmental program designed to provide up-and-coming independent wrestlers with a clear pathway to a potential career in WWE.
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Program Overview
The WWE ID Program, announced on October 29, 2024, is a first-of-its-kind effort to support independent wrestling prospects and wrestling schools. It offers world-class training, development, and mentorship opportunities to aspiring wrestlers.
Key Objectives
The program apparently has several primary goals:
- Identify and support emerging wrestling talent
- Raise the profile of independent wrestling
- Strengthen the overall wrestling ecosystem
As WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque stated, “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.”
Program Components
The WWE ID Program consists of two main components:
1. Support for Wrestling Schools
WWE will provide prominent independent wrestling schools with an official WWE ID designation. This designation aims to enhance developmental opportunities for both new trainees and existing talent at these institutions.
Several well-known wrestling schools have already received the WWE ID official designation, including:
- Booker T’s Reality of Wrestling (Houston)
- Cody Rhodes’ Nightmare Factory (Atlanta)
- Seth Rollins’ Black and Brave Academy (Davenport, Iowa)
- Elite Pro Wrestling Training Center (Concord, N.H.)
- KnokX Pro Academy (Los Angeles)12
2. Prospect Development
The program will identify top independent wrestling prospects and provide them with an official WWE ID “prospect” designation. These designated prospects will receive various forms of support, including:
- Financial opportunities
- Access to world-class training facilities
- Best-in-class ring training
- Support from athletic trainers
- Mentorship and development assistance