Acronym | WWE ID |
---|---|
Founder(s) | Paul "Triple H" Levesque Gabe Sapolsky |
Owner(s) | WWE (TKO Group Holdings) |
Sister | WWE Next in Line |
Website | Official website |
Acronym | WWE NIL |
---|---|
Founder(s) | Vince McMahon Paul "Triple H" Levesque |
Owner(s) | WWE (TKO Group Holdings) |
Sister | WWE 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.
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]
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]
Ring name | Real name | Notes |
---|---|---|
Bryce Donovan [6] | Bryce Donovan | Scouted from Wrestling Open |
Cappuccino Jones [7] | Unknown | Scouted from This Is Wrestling |
Jack Cartwheel [8] | Jack Summit | Scouted from Game Changer Wrestling |
Marcus Mathers [9] | Marc Mattiacci | Scouted from Game Changer Wrestling |
Sam Holloway [10] | Samuel Hettich | Scouted from International Wrestling Cartel |
Sean Legacy [11] | Sean Rossini | Scouted from Pro Wrestling Revolution and Pro Wrestling Noah |
Ring name | Real name | Notes |
---|---|---|
Zayda Steel [12] | Zayda Steel | Scouted from Combat Zone Wrestling |
Zara Zakher [13] | Zara Zakher | Scouted from Millenium Pro Wrestling |
Source: [14]
Ring name | Real name | Notes |
---|---|---|
Jeremy Cody | Jeremy Cody | Scouted from University of Miami |
Desmond Coleman | Desmond Coleman | Scouted from Liberty University |
Josh Pearcy | Josh Pearcy | Scouted from Rice University |
Adam Berghorst | Adam Berghorst | Scouted from Indiana State University |
Lucas Davison | Lucas Davison | Scouted from University of Michigan |
Momen Zahid | Momen Zahid | Scouted from College of William & Mary |
Stephen Buchanan | Stephen Buchanan | Scouted from University of Oklahoma |
Slane Glover | Slane Glover | Scouted from The Ohio State University |
Turner Washington | Turner Washington | Scouted from Arizona State University |
Cameron Jones | Cameron Jones | Scouted from University of Cincinnati |
Dee Beckwith | Dee Beckwith | Scouted from University of Kentucky |
Greg Kerkvliet | Daniel Gregory Clifton Kerkvliet Jr. | Scouted from Penn State |
Landon Jackson | Landon Jackson | Scouted from University of Arkansas |
Otoniel Badjana | Otoniel Badjana | Scouted from University of Pittsburgh |
Ruben Banks | Ruben Banks | Scouted from University of Arkansas |
Maliq Carr | Maliq Carr | Scouted from Michigan State University |
Luke Ford | Luke Ford | Scouted from University of Illinois |
KeShaun Moore | KeShaun Moore | Scouted from Hampton University |
Cohlton Schultz | Cohlton Schultz | Scouted from Arizona State University |
Zachary Knighton-Ward | Zachary Knighton-Ward | Scouted from Hofstra University |
Case Hatch | Case Hatch | Scouted from Arizona State University |
John Krahn | John Krahn | Scouted from Portland State University |
Carlos Aviles | Carlos Aviles | Scouted from The Ohio State University |
Mason Parris | Mason Mark Parris | Scouted from University of Michigan |
Jon Seaton | Jon Seaton | Scouted from Elon University |
Ring name | Real name | Notes |
---|---|---|
Grace Stephens | Grace Stephens | Scouted from Monmouth University |
Darci Khan | Darci Khan | Scouted from Howard University |
Bayley Humphrey | Bayley Humphrey | Scouted from Baylor University |
Kali Terza | Kali Terza | Scouted from Kennesaw State University |
Sirena Linton | Sirena Linton | Scouted from University of Arkansas |
Skyla Schulte | Skyla Schulte | Scouted from Michigan State University |
Alia Armstrong | Alia Armstrong | Scouted from Louisiana State University |
Jaiden Fields | Jaiden Fields | Scouted from University of Georgia |
Mady Aulbach | Mady Aulbach | Scouted from Youngstown State University |
Tori Ortiz | Tori Ortiz | Scouted from Oklahoma State University |
Abby Jacobs | Abby Jacobs | Scouted from University of South Alabama |
Alexandra Jaksec | Alexandra Jaksec | Scouted from University of Mary Washington |
Derrian Gobourne | Derrian Gobourne | Scouted from Auburn University |
Tyanna Omazic | Tyanna Omazic | Scouted from University of Miami |
Rachel Glenn | Rachel Symone Glenn | Scouted from University of South Carolina |
Mikala Hall | Mikala Hall | Scouted from Central Michigan University |
Ericka Link | Ericka Link | Scouted from Elon University |
Chandler Hayden | Chandler Olivia Hayden | Scouted from University of Tennessee |
Ali Mattox | Ali Mattox | Scouted from Ole Miss |
Riley White | Riley White | Scouted from University of Alabama |
Lexi Gordon | Lexi Gordon | Scouted from Duke University |
Hanna Cavinder | Hanna Cavinder | Scouted from University of Miami |
Masai Russell | Masai Russell | Scouted from University of Kentucky |
Haley Cavinder | Haley Cavinder | Scouted from University of Miami |
Aleeya Hutchins | Aleeya Hutchins | Scouted from Wake Forest University |
Name | Signed with WWE? | Notes |
---|---|---|
Dalton Wagner | No | Scouted from University of Arkansas Currently signed to the National Football League |
Gable Steveson | Yes | Scouted from University of Minnesota Released by WWE on May 3, 2024 |
Glen Logan | No | Scouted from Louisiana State University Currently signed to the United Football League |
Joe Spivak | Yes | Scouted from Northwestern University Currently assigned to the NXT brand under the ring name "Tank Ledger" |
Isaiah Iton | No | Scouted from Rutgers University Currently signed to the National Football League |
Isaac Odugbesan | Yes | Scouted from University of Alabama Currently assigned to the NXT brand under the ring name "Oba Femi" |
Thunder Keck | Yes | Scouted from Stanford University Currently performing on NXT Level Up under the ring name "Shiloh Hill" |
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