According to an official announcement from WWE ID on social media, these championships will be unique in WWE’s ecosystem, as they will be defended exclusively on the independent wrestling circuit rather than on WWE programming.
The tournament structure and participating independent promotions will be announced in the coming weeks, establishing a new competitive division that operates primarily outside of WWE’s traditional venues.
WWE executive Paul “Triple H” Levesque has provided a first look at new championship belts that will be used as part of the WWE ID program.
In a social media post Tuesday afternoon, Triple H wrote:
“The top independent wrestling prospects have been ID’d… and now, we’re ready to spotlight the best of the best. Here’s your first look at the Men’s and Women’s @WWEID Championships.”
Tournaments will be held to crown the inaugural WWE ID Men’s and Women’s champions. The titles will be defended at independent wrestling shows. More on that here:
The WWE Independent Development (ID) program is WWE’s talent development initiative that partners with wrestling schools to identify and nurture promising independent wrestlers. Selected prospects receive financial benefits, training facility access, and mentorship while maintaining their ability to compete in independent promotions. The program includes a right of first refusal clause – if another major promotion offers a contract to a WWE ID prospect, WWE can either match the offer or allow the talent to sign elsewhere.
The WWE ID program, WWE’s newest talent development initiative, aims to scout and refine the next generation of wrestling superstars by integrating independent wrestlers into the WWE system.
One such prospect, Zayda Steel, recently shared her experiences as part of the program, highlighting the invaluable opportunities it provides to up-and-coming talent. Steel, who has made waves on the independent scene with appearances in GCW, Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW), and Major League Wrestling (MLW), opened up about her journey on the podcast Conversations with The Wrestling Classic.
Steel revealed that WWE is actively bridging the gap between independent wrestling and its larger platform by giving ID participants direct access to feedback from wrestling icons. During a chat with the Wrestling Classic, She praised the program for its emphasis on mentorship, stating that her matches are being reviewed by WWE legends like Sean “X-Pac” Waltman and Kenny Dykstra.
“I can say that our matches are being watched,” Steel said. “We found out recently, they’re like, ‘Oh, X-Pac can now watch your match and give you guys critiques.’ I’m like, ‘What the f—.’ So him, Kenny Dykstra, who works closely with Triple H, literally in the offices. We are getting feedback from top, top people. So that’s another plus as well.”
Steel also shared that she has trained at the WWE Performance Center as part of the program and received recognition from several established WWE talents. While she chose not to name anyone specifically, she expressed her surprise and appreciation at being acknowledged by well-known wrestlers.
“A couple of us were at the PC. We got to train there,” she explained. “Funny enough, as I’m there, I’m saying hi to people… There’s a good amount of the girls that were like, ‘Oh my God, I know who you are. I follow you on Instagram,’ or, ‘I’ve seen you on social media.’ So, yes. You’d be surprised who knows who you are.”
Zayda Steel and WWE ID
Before joining the WWE ID program, Steel was a prominent figure on the independent circuit, wrestling over 50 matches in 2024 across various promotions. Her extensive experience and current exposure to WWE legends’ feedback exemplify the potential impact of this initiative in grooming future superstars.
The WWE ID program not only spotlights independent talent but also provides unique opportunities for mentorship and growth under the guidance of industry veterans.
With access to feedback from legends like X-Pac and direct exposure to WWE’s developmental facilities, prospects like Zayda Steel are gaining invaluable experience that could shape their future in professional wrestling.
The WWE ID program will help talent navigate the “very difficult” independent wrestling scene, according to WWE CCO Paul Levesque. The program has seen WWE partner with several wrestling schools and sign various independent talent as ‘prospects.’ Thsoe signed will receive access to WWE’s Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, as well as training overseen by Dragon Gate USA founder Gabe Sapolsky.
Speaking at the Survivor Series: WarGames post-show press conference Levesque shared how WWE ID will help talent in the difficult, often cutthroat world of independent wrestling.
“The independent scene is very difficult. That’s a long hard road. We’re trying to make that easier.”
WWE ID will pay attention to the indie talent with the most potential, Levesque added, who will also be financially supported by the program. With that said, WWE ID will not be a permanent role for prospects, whether they show the necessary progress or not.
“If somebody is working really hard and busting their ass every week and they are progressing and continuing to grow, they stay in our system until it’s time for them to outgrow that system. If they are not, we’ll make moves and change some people around.”
Several talents have already been announced as prospects, with more names expected to be confirmed. Click here to check out SEScoops‘ hub on the WWE ID program.
The WWE ID program will give a spotlight to some of the exciting talent on the independent scene. Jack Cartwheel and Cappucino Jones will prove to be two names to watch as part of WWE ID and have now shared their first experiences from their journies in wrestling.
Living up to his caffeinated name, Jones drank two cups of coffee before stepping into the ring for the first time to calm his nerves. While those two cups did come back to haunt him later on in training, Jones immediately felt like he belonged in the squared circle.
“When I got into the ring for the first time, it was like a shot of Espresso. Everything I did was just different.”
Cartwheel almost missed his first day of training, something he was excited about after seeing his first SPW show. A mix-up meant that Cartwheel arrived at where he thought the training session would be, only to find a locked gate and no ring in sight.
“I went to the wrong place and felt that self-doubt that maybe I wasn’t cut out for this.”
Overcoming this self-imposed anxiety, Cartwheel fought to build up his confidence and is now poised for a major role in wrestling as part of the WWE ID program.
WWE ID Prospects will receive training at the Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, a venue that Cartwheel should have no trouble finding. Click here to check out our WWE ID tracker to learn all about which independent wrestlers are attached to the program.
Posted November 28th, 2024 in WWE. Tagged: WWE ID.
Tony Khan doesn’t know how the WWE ID program will affect their hiring strategy and if they will have to face any conflict while trying to bring in any talent.
The AEW President took part in the post-Full Gear 2024 media scrum. He discussed topics such as the Costco Guys’ recent involvement with the company and more.
When asked about the newly launched WWE ID program, the wrestling executive noted that he is not completely aware of how the thing works but claimed that it’s definitely going to affect the independent scene:
“It’s interesting. I don’t really know how it’s going to work. I understand there is some kind of first right or refusal aspect of it. We haven’t come up where it’s been a conflict yet. I do think it’s going to affect the independent scene in some ways.”
Khan discussed how they have brought in many great indie talents over the years and mentioned that AEW provided work to many indie stars during the COVID-19 pandemic.
TK cited the new TNT Champion Daniel Garcia as an example of talent who started off in AEW Dark and has now become a champion in the company. Tony Khan then reiterated that they’ll be keeping a close eye on the WWE ID program:
“I expect we’ll keep signing great talent off the independents. I do think it’s a different mechanism. It’s something to keep an eye on. It hasn’t created major conflicts or anything yet, but I imagine it will definitely influence the independent wrestling scene. It’s definitely something to keep an eye on.”
WWE has partnered up with many indie promotions for their new program. The prospects signed to it will have access to the company’s training facilities and the promotion will produce content around their wrestling journey for their social platforms.
The talents will continue operating as they do in the independents and there won’t be any restrictions on who they can work for. The belief is that WWE will have the right to first refusal on talent. If any other company reaches out to them with an offer, the Endeavor-owned promotion will get an opportunity to sign them first.
WWE has begun announcing prospects to its new Independent Development (ID) program. WWE ID seeks to provide a path for independent wrestlers to join the promotion, while strengthening the independent scene.
WWE has partnered with several leading professioal wrestling schools across the United States to help identify top rising prospects. Contracted WWE ID prospects receive assistance with training and mentorship, access to world-class training facilities, athletic trainers and more.
Zayda Steel made her in-ring debut in 2022 and has been scouted from Combat Zone Wrestling. She has also worked for MLW and Beyond, and most recently for Marigold Wrestling, who have a partnership with WWE. Her most recent match saw take part in the Gauntlet match that saw the entire Marigold roster take on Giulia in her final match before joining WWE. Learn More about Zayda Steel
With close to a decade in the ring to his name, Bryce Donovan joins WWE ID with a background from CZQ, Ring of Honor, WrestlePro and many more.
From 2021 to 2022, Bryce competed in AEW where he worked with the likes of MJF, Jake Hager, Wheeler Yuta, and The Acclaimed. He served as enhancement talent and left with a far-from Elite 0-5 win/loss record.
From Coffeyville, Kansas (the same city that gave wrestling Mildred Burke and Trevor Murdoch), Cappucino Jones has been competing since 2022. The ‘Cold Brew’ grappler competed on AEW Rampage in February of this year against The Young Bucks and took on the Cage of Agony in July as part of Ring of Honor.
Jack Summit (formerly Jack Cartwheel) is known for high-energy performances, an innovative move-set, and his signature cartwheels. The Sacramento native made his wrestling debut in 2019 and has already made his presence felt in Game Changer Wrestling, Ring of Honor, Lucha Libre AAA, PWG, and All Elite Wrestling. Cartwheel unsuccessfully challenged Blake Christian for the GCW World Championship back in February at GCW: Feel No Ways.
Zakher has only been wrestling since last year, but has already made an impact on the independent scene competing against both the women and the men. She was recruited from California-based Millenium Pro Wrestling. The ‘Petite Powerhouse’ has also been seen in GCW, Tokyo Joshi Pro Live, and West Coast Pro.
Legacy has been wrestling since 2017 and has worked in promotions including West Coast Pro, Pro Wrestling NOAH, and Pro Wrestling Revolution. AEW Dark fans may remember him from a September 2020 edition of the YouTube series, where he came up short against ‘Powerhouse’ Will Hobbs.
It is an absolute honor and a privilege to be one of the first-ever WWE ID prospects and the only one from Georgia, but l'll be honest – job's not finished yet. ?? #Super#WWEIDhttps://t.co/bb1mj1Kgfe
Aaron Rourke is an emerging star in the Northeast independent wrestling scene, recognized for his impactful presence and contributions to the LGBTQ+ community. He is known for his signature moves, including the Bridging Figure-Four Leglock and Cradle DDT.
CONGRATULATIONS to Create A Pro’s own Aaron Rourke for joining #WWEID !
Aaron Roberts is billed at 6’4″ and 420 pounds from Dyersburg TN. He wrestles for Memphis Wrestling and is known as “The Baddest Mane Walking Both Sites of the Mississippi.”
Arguably the biggest name confirmed for the WWE ID program, Kylie Rae has experience competing for AEW, TNA Wrestling, and GCW. In December 2022, Rae competed under her real name Brianna Rae on an episode of WWE Main Event.
Dustin Rhodes would love for Tony Khan to launch an AEW talent recruitment program with the independents, similar to the new WWE ID program. In an interview with WFAA.8, Rhodes shared his enthusiasm for the idea.
“I would love for Tony to do that with us where we have a little type thing. That would be kind of cool for some of our schools.”
Rhodes isn’t just a wrestler for AEW and Ring of Honor, but also has worked as a behind-the-scenes coach. While he certainly has the experience to be a part of the WWE ID program, he doubts his school, the Rhodes Wrestling Academy, will be approached by WWE.
“That’s probably the reason they haven’t reached out, right, because I’m contracted with All Elite Wrestling.”
Though Rhodes’ Wrestling Academy isn’t an official partner of the WWE ID program, Cody Rhodes’ Nightmare Academy is. Other schools attached to WWE ID include Seth Rollins Black & Brave Academy and Booker T’s Reality of Wrestling.
WWE ID
WWE ID has seen several names from the independent wrestling scene sign with WWE as ‘Prospects’ of the new talent development program. Prospects will receive access to the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, as well as training from the promotion’s various coaches and staff. Ring of Honor/Dragon Gate USA founder Gabe Sapolsky is overseeing WWE ID, ensuring that Prospects learn from the very best in how to develop as in-ring talents.
For the latest on the WWE ID program, as well as which stars are Prospects, check out our WWE ID central hub.
Kylie Rae is the latest name confirmed for the WWE ID program, a fact revealed at Freelance Wrestling’s Thursday Night Slammasters event. On X, Gabe Sapolosky, who will oversee the WWE ID program, was pleased to have secured the “Best worker on the indies” to WWE’s latest recruitment tactic.
Rae is considered one of the very top independent wrestlers competing today, so her arrival in the WWE ID program is certainly a huge deal. Arguably the best-known name confirmed for WWE ID, Rae is arriving with experience wrestling for AEW, TNA Wrestling, Game Changer Wrestling, and many more promotions. The reigning Freelance Champion also wrestles as Briana Ray on WWE Main Event in December 2022, with fans hopeful at the time that she’d be signed.
Like her fellow signings, Rae will have access to WWE’s resources, including the state-of-the-art Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. Sapolsky will be just one of the key figures involved in WWE ID, ensuring that the signings get advice and wisdom forged from Sapolsky’s decades in the business.
Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest from WWE ID as the promotion’s hunt for future breakout Superstars continues to influence the independent wrestling world.
AEW President Tony Khan is interested in the groundbreaking ‘WWE ID’ program, but is holding off judgment for the time being. The program will see WWE partner with independent promotions and allow signed talent (deemed ‘Prospects’) access to WWE’s training facilities, including the Performance Center in Orlando, Flordia.
Speaking on a media call ahead of this weekend’s AEW Full Gear pay-per-view, Khan said it’ll be “interesting” to see how things work out when AEW attempts to bring in a WWE ID prospect.
“I have some thoughts on it, but I will reserve my judgment until I actually test such a mechanism. I only know what I’ve read about them, but it’s interesting.“
Several names have already been confirmed for the WWE ID program with others yet to be publicly revealed. WWE ID Prospects are still being allowed to compete outside the promotion, though many are wondering if WWE’s openness will extend to allowing talent to work for the promotion’s chief rival.
Other Interview Highlights
Khan was asked about much more than just the WWE ID program. Other topics covered in the media call include:
Khan believes that reports of Toni Storm’s ‘retirement’ have been exaggerated, and is confident she’ll have a career in wrestling to come.
While AEW Rampage isn’t included in the new Warner Bros. Discovery package, Khan is looking into other options for where the show and other AEW content could go.
When asked about AEW running smaller venues, Khan spoke of the recent crowd in Cedar Park, Texas and the “amazing” atmosphere brought on by the smaller setting.
Khan praised Harley Cameron’s energy, promo skills, and athleticism and called the Australian a prime example of a rising talent.
Canadian wrestler Zoe Sager has become the latest addition to WWE’s Independent Development (ID) program, marking her as the first Canadian talent to join this initiative. The announcement was made during Northern Crown Wrestling’s event in Toronto on November 17, 2024.
Sager, trained by former WWE star Lance Storm and Michael Richard Blais, debuted in 2018 and has competed in promotions such as Love Pro Wrestling and Real Canadian Wrestling. She also appeared on AEW Dark Elevation in March 2023, facing Emi Sakura.
This signing brings the total number of WWE ID talents to 15, reflecting WWE’s ongoing efforts to recruit and develop independent wrestlers.
Posted November 17th, 2024 in WWE. Tagged: WWE ID.
Ice Williams is the newest signing to the WWE ID program and was personally delivered his contract by two-time WWE Hall of Famer Booker T. Williams was offered his deal at the latest event from Reality of Wrestling, one of the official partners of the WWE ID recruitment program.
Williams, known for his charismatic style and standout performances, has built a career in promotions including ROW, Future Stars of Wrestling, and West Coast Pro. In February 2023, Williams was on the losing episode of a six-man tag-team match that aired on AEW Dark: Elevation. This past February saw Williams in action on ROH Honor Club where he suffered a tag team loss to the Outrunners.
Like his fellow signings, Williams will have access to WWE’s resources, including the state-of-the-art Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. Ring of Honor and Dragon Gate USA founder Gabe Sapolsky will be working closely with the WWE ID Prospects, ensuring that the signings get advice and wisdom forged from Sapolsky’s decades in the business.
Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest from WWE ID as the promotion’s hunt for future breakout Superstars continues to influence the independent wrestling world.
It’s Gal is the latest recruit to the WWE ID program which aims to give independent talent a clear path to a future in Sports Entertainment. On X, the WWE ID account shared footage of Gal receiving the coveted invitation and a graphic confirming he has joined the program.
It’s Gal has been competing since 2020 and puts opponents away with his signature Striations Bomb. With his impressive physique, the Israeli wrestler has dubbed himself ‘The Real Life Action Figure’ and has worked in Beyond Wrestling, Limitless Wrestling, and Blitzkrieg! Pro, among other promotions.
Like his fellow signings, Gal will have access to WWE’s resources, including the state-of-the-art Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. Ring of Honor and Dragon Gate USA founder Gabe Sapolsky will be working closely with the WWE ID Prospects, ensuring that the signings get advice and wisdom forged from Sapolsky’s decades in the business.
Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest from WWE ID as the promotion’s hunt for future breakout Superstars continues to influence the independent wrestling world.
The WWE ID program has welcomed two new recruits who were given William Regal’s seal of approval at the latest SmackDown. Regal informed Marcus Mathers and Sam Holloway at the show that WWE has kept an eye on the pair on the independents and welcomed the pair to the recruitment program.
Marcus Mathers has been wrestling since 2019 and joins WWE ID after establishing himself in Game Changer Wrestling. Mathers challenged Blake Christian for the GCW Heavyweight Title at Look At Me in January of this year but came up short. In September of this year, Mathers appeared on AEW Rampage, where he and Joe Keys lost to Roderick Strong & The Beast Mortos.
Scouted from the International Wrestling Cartel, Sam ‘Hardway’ Holloway has been competing since 2022. Holloway is the reigning IWC Super Indy Champion, having won the title against Zach Nystrom in the finals of a tournament at IWC Super Indy 23. That tournament saw Holloway defeat WWE alum Elijah and he has also shared the ring with former Superstars including Jake Hager and Matt Cardona.
WWE has partnered with several leading professional wrestling schools across the United States to help identify top-rising prospects. Contracted WWE ID prospects receive assistance with training and mentorship, access to world-class training facilities, athletic trainers, and more.
Sean Legacy has become the latest independent wrestler to sign on as a Prospect for WWE ID; the promotion’s newest recruitment program. Legacy has been wrestling since 2017 and has worked in promotions including West Coast Pro, Pro Wrestling NOAH, and Pro Wrestling Revolution.
Fans with a good memory may remember Legacy from the September 5, 2020, edition of AEW Dark, where he lost to ‘Powerhouse’ Will Hobbs. In May of this year, Legacy wrestled fellow WWE ID signing Bryce Donovan at Beyond Wrestling Open: Episode 125 – Krule Intentions, but came up short.
It is an absolute honor and a privilege to be one of the first-ever WWE ID prospects and the only one from Georgia, but l'll be honest – job's not finished yet. 🙏🏻 #Super#WWEIDhttps://t.co/bb1mj1Kgfe
Legacy is the sixth WWE ID prospect with talent including Jack Cartwheel and Zayda Steel joining the program. This group now has a direct path to WWE’s resources, including the state-of-the-art Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. Ring of Honor and Dragon Gate USA founder Gabe Sapolsky will be working closely with the WWE ID Prospects, ensuring that the signings get advice and wisdom forged from Sapolsky’s decades in the business.
Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest from WWE ID as the promotion’s hunt for future breakout Superstars continues to influence the independent wrestling world.
WWE ID is becoming a cherished new aspect in the pro wrestling industry and everyone in the business is taking notice, including CM Punk and MJF.
WWE ID went on an announcement spree revealing a bevvy of independent wrestling names who have been approved by the program. Names like Jack Cartwheel, Cappuccino Jones and Zayda Steel were all initial announcments and eyes were certainly on the WWE ID X account.
CM Punk was sure to give shout-outs to all the names being revealed, and even tagged all of them on his Instagram stories. The former WWE Champion even shared an interview with Steel noting that Punk’s wife, AJ Mendez, was a major influence to her as a kid.
WWE ID even kicked down the “forbidden door” as AEW’s MJF was sure to tip the cap to Bryce Donovan, who came from the very school he and Max Caster did, Brian Myers’ Create-A-Pro. Donovan was the blue-chip prospect of Create-A-Pro and MJF made sure to let fans know on his Instagram stories to “Be shook.”
Another name of note who is keeping eyes on WWE ID is the wrestling extraordinaire Natalya. Nattie was sure to wish Steel a congratulations on being inked to the program.
Cartweel had a “cup of coffee” in All Elite Wrestling, but never signed with the company. Before the announcement, Steel did make a few appearances for Major League Wrestling as she became a contender for the Featherweight Championship as a heel under WTF, the World Titan Federation.
Zara Zakher is the latest WWE ID Prospect after inking a deal with the promotion’s newest recruitment program. Zakher made her debut in the wrestling scene last year and has been holding her own against both the women and the men.
Zakher joins WWE ID after establishing herself in the California-based Millenium Pro Wrestling. Outside of the promotion, The ‘Petite Powerhouse’ has competed for West Coast Pro, Tokyo Joshi Pro Live, and Game Changer Wrestling. Just one week before becoming a WWE ID Prospect, Zakher competed at GCW Monster Bash where she unsuccessfully challenged Masha Slamovich for the Jersey Championship Wrestling Heavyweight Title.
Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest from WWE ID as the promotion’s hunt for future breakout Superstars continues to influence the independent wrestling world.
More WWE ID Prospects have been announced, including independent wrestling star Jack Cartwheel (Jack Summit). Cartwheel has already made a name for himself outside of WWE with his high-energy performances, innovative move-set, and signature cartwheels that give him his unique name.
The Sacramento native made his wrestling debut in 2019 and has already made his presence felt in Game Changer Wrestling, Ring of Honor, Lucha Libre AAA, PWG, and All Elite Wrestling. Cartwheel’s peak in GCW came at this past February’s Feel No Ways event, where he unsuccessfully challenged Blake Christian for the GCW World Championship.
Cartwheel and his compatriots now have the opportunity to develop their skills in the ring and on the mic from the biggest wrestling promotion in the history of the industry. With the state-of-the-art Performance Center in Orlando, WWE ID signings will have the chance to train with and learn from the very best, including Gabe Sapolsky, founder of Ring of Honor and Dragon Gate USA.
Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest from WWE ID as the promotion’s hunt for future breakout Superstars continues to influence the independent wrestling world.
WWE’s recent launch of the WWE Independent Development (WWE ID) program has sparked excitement throughout the wrestling world. This reportedly innovative initiative aims to bridge the gap between independent wrestling and WWE’s developmental system, providing a pathway for up-and-coming talent to potentially join the global wrestling juggernaut.
As the program gains traction, fans and industry insiders alike are speculating about which independent wrestlers might be tapped as WWE ID prospects. Let’s explore some potential candidates who could hopefully thrive in this new program.
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.
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.)
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
Posted November 8th, 2024 in Guides. Tagged: WWE ID.
WWE ID hopes to give independent wrestlers a clear path to a future in the company, and Gabe Sapolsky will take a leading role in the new program. On X, Sapolsky changed his bio, which reflects his position as WWE Creative Consultant & Domestic Talent Scout. Sapolsky also changed his cover image to the WWE ID logo.
Sapolsky being a part of WWE ID makes a lot of sense given his history in various independent promotions. From origins in ECW writing a newsletter, Sapolsky co-founded Ring of Honor in 2002 before launching Dragon Gate USA seven years later. In 2010, EVOLVE Wrestling became the latest promotion launched by Sapolsky. Sapolsky was
Now part of WWE ID, Sapolsky will continue to demonstrate his talents for recognizing talent in independent wrestling. In his memoir Yes: My Improbable Journey to the Main Event of WrestleMania, Bryan Danielson recalls being valued by Sapolsky.
“It was the first time anybody had chosen me to be “the Man” – the only time, really- and I can’t thank Gabe, ROH, and the ROH fans enough for giving me the opportunity to be the guy to carry the promotion.”
Sapolsky’s role with WWE will likely see him work with a team in WWE ID as the promotion further expands its reach into the independent wrestling scene. On X, the official WWE ID account confirmed that the first member of the program will be revealed this weekend at the latest event for Booker T’s Reality of Wrestling promotion.
Reality of Wrestling is just one company that is tied to WWE ID, as Cody Rhodes’ Nightmare Factory and Seth Rollins’ Black & Brave Academy are also linked. ROW is led by World Champion Zilla Fatu, who Booker has endorsed as a future WWE Superstar. The son of Umaga, Fatu was at this year’s SummerSlam in Cleveland, which again fueled speculation that a WWE move is coming. Fatu even teased that he was the signing to be announced this weekend, though his post has since been deleted. Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest on WWE ID and the future Superstars who join WWE through the innovative new program.
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.
