WWE ID and WWE NIL

Last updated
WWE Independent Development
AcronymWWE ID
Founder(s) Paul "Triple H" Levesque
Gabe Sapolsky
Owner(s) WWE
(TKO Group Holdings)
SisterWWE Next in Line
Website Official website
WWE Next in Line
AcronymWWE NIL
Founder(s) Vince McMahon
Paul "Triple H" Levesque
Owner(s) WWE
(TKO Group Holdings)
SisterWWE Independent Development
Website Official website

WWE Independent Development (WWE ID) and WWE Next in Line (WWE NIL) are developmental systems created by American professional wrestling promotion WWE in the 2020s. [1] The programs support the training and development of athletes at certain wrestling schools, wrestling promotions, and colleges.

Contents

On December 2, 2021, WWE established the WWE NIL program, which exclusively supports college athletes who decide to train as wrestlers.

WWE ID was launched on October 29, 2024 to develop and support the training of independent professional wrestlers. [2] The wrestling schools and promotions initially designated under WWE ID are Reality of Wrestling, Black and Brave Academy, Nightmare Factory, Elite Pro Wrestling Training Center, and KnokX Pro Academy. [3] [4]

History

Prior to the 2020s, WWE had used several methods to train its future on-screen talent. This included partnering with other promotions to act as developmental territories, including Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), Deep South Wrestling (DSW), and Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) among others. In 2010, WWE established NXT as an in-house televised developmental brand, which became the major pathway to the promotion's main roster.

In 2021, WWE established the WWE Next in Line (WWE NIL) program, which exclusively supports U.S.-based college athletes who decide to train as wrestlers. The program was launched as an extension of NCAA-approved name, image, and likeness policies.

In June 2024, WWE trademarked WWE ID and WWE Independent Development with the purpose of organizing and conducting a program to help develop wrestlers. That October, WWE ID was officially announced, which would support the development of independent wrestlers at specified schools or promotions and provide them a pathway to the promotion. The first schools and promotions designated under WWE ID were Reality of Wrestling (run by Booker T), Black and Brave Academy (run by Seth Rollins), Nightmare Factory (run by Cody Rhodes), Elite Pro Wrestling Training Center, and KnokX Pro Academy (run by Rikishi). On November 9, Fightful reported that Timothy Thatcher had been signed as the WWE ID trainer. [5]

WWE ID prospects

Men's division

Ring nameReal nameNotes
Bryce Donovan [6] Bryce DonovanScouted from Wrestling Open
Cappuccino Jones [7] UnknownScouted from This Is Wrestling
Jack Cartwheel [8] Jack SummitScouted from Game Changer Wrestling
Marcus Mathers [9] Marc MattiacciScouted from Game Changer Wrestling
Sam Holloway [10] Samuel HettichScouted from International Wrestling Cartel
Sean Legacy [11] Sean RossiniScouted from Pro Wrestling Revolution and Pro Wrestling Noah

Women's division

Ring nameReal nameNotes
Zayda Steel [12] Zayda SteelScouted from Combat Zone Wrestling
Zara Zakher [13] Zara ZakherScouted from Millenium Pro Wrestling

WWE NIL prospects

Source: [14]

Men's division

Ring nameReal nameNotes
Jeremy CodyJeremy CodyScouted from University of Miami
Desmond ColemanDesmond ColemanScouted from Liberty University
Josh PearcyJosh PearcyScouted from Rice University
Adam BerghorstAdam BerghorstScouted from Indiana State University
Lucas DavisonLucas DavisonScouted from University of Michigan
Momen ZahidMomen ZahidScouted from College of William & Mary
Stephen BuchananStephen BuchananScouted from University of Oklahoma
Slane GloverSlane GloverScouted from The Ohio State University
Turner Washington Turner WashingtonScouted from Arizona State University
Cameron JonesCameron JonesScouted from University of Cincinnati
Dee BeckwithDee BeckwithScouted from University of Kentucky
Greg Kerkvliet Daniel Gregory Clifton Kerkvliet Jr.Scouted from Penn State
Landon Jackson Landon JacksonScouted from University of Arkansas
Otoniel BadjanaOtoniel BadjanaScouted from University of Pittsburgh
Ruben BanksRuben BanksScouted from University of Arkansas
Maliq CarrMaliq CarrScouted from Michigan State University
Luke FordLuke FordScouted from University of Illinois
KeShaun MooreKeShaun MooreScouted from Hampton University
Cohlton Schultz Cohlton SchultzScouted from Arizona State University
Zachary Knighton-WardZachary Knighton-WardScouted from Hofstra University
Case HatchCase HatchScouted from Arizona State University
John KrahnJohn KrahnScouted from Portland State University
Carlos AvilesCarlos AvilesScouted from The Ohio State University
Mason Parris Mason Mark ParrisScouted from University of Michigan
Jon SeatonJon SeatonScouted from Elon University

Women's division

Ring nameReal nameNotes
Grace StephensGrace StephensScouted from Monmouth University
Darci KhanDarci KhanScouted from Howard University
Bayley HumphreyBayley HumphreyScouted from Baylor University
Kali TerzaKali TerzaScouted from Kennesaw State University
Sirena LintonSirena LintonScouted from University of Arkansas
Skyla SchulteSkyla SchulteScouted from Michigan State University
Alia Armstrong Alia ArmstrongScouted from Louisiana State University
Jaiden FieldsJaiden FieldsScouted from University of Georgia
Mady AulbachMady AulbachScouted from Youngstown State University
Tori OrtizTori OrtizScouted from Oklahoma State University
Abby JacobsAbby JacobsScouted from University of South Alabama
Alexandra JaksecAlexandra JaksecScouted from University of Mary Washington
Derrian GobourneDerrian GobourneScouted from Auburn University
Tyanna OmazicTyanna OmazicScouted from University of Miami
Rachel Glenn Rachel Symone GlennScouted from University of South Carolina
Mikala HallMikala HallScouted from Central Michigan University
Ericka LinkEricka LinkScouted from Elon University
Chandler HaydenChandler Olivia HaydenScouted from University of Tennessee
Ali MattoxAli MattoxScouted from Ole Miss
Riley WhiteRiley WhiteScouted from University of Alabama
Lexi GordonLexi GordonScouted from Duke University
Hanna Cavinder Hanna CavinderScouted from University of Miami
Masai Russell Masai RussellScouted from University of Kentucky
Haley Cavinder Haley CavinderScouted from University of Miami
Aleeya HutchinsAleeya HutchinsScouted from Wake Forest University

WWE NIL alumni

NameSigned with WWE?Notes
Dalton Wagner NoScouted from University of Arkansas
Currently signed to the National Football League
Gable Steveson YesScouted from University of Minnesota
Released by WWE on May 3, 2024
Glen Logan NoScouted from Louisiana State University
Currently signed to the United Football League
Joe SpivakYesScouted from Northwestern University
Currently assigned to the NXT brand under the ring name "Tank Ledger"
Isaiah ItonNoScouted from Rutgers University
Currently signed to the National Football League
Isaac Odugbesan YesScouted from University of Alabama
Currently assigned to the NXT brand under the ring name "Oba Femi"
Thunder Keck YesScouted from Stanford University
Currently performing on NXT Level Up under the ring name "Shiloh Hill"

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References

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