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WWE ID and WWE NIL

  • ️Tue Oct 29 2024

WWE Recruit is an umbrella term referring to two 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 Next in Line (WWE NIL) program, which exclusively supports college athletes who decide to train as wrestlers.

After the launch of WWE NIL, the WWE Independent Development (WWE ID) program 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 and Marek Brave), 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]

On February 1, 2025, during the 2025 Royal Rumble, WWE announced the launch of WWE Evolve, a Tubi program based on the defunct independent Evolve promotion ran by WWE ID co-founder Gabe Sapolsky.[6] The program, which is scheduled to premiere on March 5, 2025, will feature both WWE ID prospects and Performance Center trainees. On February 18, WWE chief content officer Paul "Triple H" Levesque announced the creation of the Men's WWE ID Championship and Women's WWE ID Championship, the championships will be defended in WWE and on the independent circuit.[7]

Ring name Real name Notes
Kylie Rae[23] Briana Rae Sparrey Scouted from Freelance Wrestling
Zara Zakher[24] Zara Zakher Scouted from Millenium Pro Wrestling
Zayda Steel[25] Zayda Steel Scouted from Combat Zone Wrestling
Zoe Sager[26] Zoe Sager Scouted from Northern Crown Wrestling

Source: [27]

  1. ^ "WWE Announces 'WWE ID' Developmental Designation". Wrestling On Fannation. 2024-10-29. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
  2. ^ Aguilar, Matthew (2024-10-30). "WWE Reveals Details and First Independent Schools for WWE ID". ComicBook.com. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
  3. ^ Murray, Andy H. (2024-10-29). "WWE Launches New Indie Developmental Program, 'WWE ID'". WhatCulture.com. Retrieved 2024-10-30.
  4. ^ "What is WWE ID aka WWE Independent Development? All you need to know about the new program in the Triple H era". October 29, 2024.
  5. ^ "Former WWE Star's Involvement In WWE ID Program Revealed". November 9, 2024. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
  6. ^ Thompson, Andrew (February 1, 2025). "WWE Evolve announced, premiering March 5th on Tubi". POST Wrestling. Retrieved February 1, 2025.
  7. ^ Ucchino, Rick (February 18, 2025). "Triple H Unveils New WWE ID Championships To Spotlight Up-And-Coming Talent". SI.com. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
  8. ^ Jeremy Lambert (November 18, 2024). "Aaron Roberts Announced As WWE ID Prospect". Fightful. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  9. ^ Jeremy Lambert (November 14, 2024). "Aaron Rourke Announced As WWE ID Prospect". Fightful. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  10. ^ Jeremy Lambert (November 14, 2024). "Brad Baylor Announced As WWE ID Prospect". Fightful. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  11. ^ WWE ID (November 7, 2024). "#WWEID welcomes @BryceDShook Scouted From: Wrestling Open Hometown: Long Beach, NY". X. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
  12. ^ WWE ID (November 7, 2024). "#WWEID welcomes @coldbrewjones! Scouted From: This Is Wrestling Hometown: Coffeyville, KS". X. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
  13. ^ Jeremy Lambert (November 22, 2024). "WWE ID Prospect Revealed At City Championship Wrestling". Fightful. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  14. ^ WWE ID (November 12, 2024). "#WWEID welcomes @IceWilliams Scouted From: Future Stars Of Wrestling (FSW) Hometown: Long Beach, CA". X. Retrieved November 12, 2024.
  15. ^ WWE ID (November 10, 2024). "#WWEID welcomes @justgal_ Scouted From: Wrestling Open Hometown: Mt. Olympus". X. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  16. ^ WWE ID (November 8, 2024). "#WWEID welcomes @JackCartwheel Scouted From: Game Changer Wrestling (GCW) Hometown: Sacramento, CA". X. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
  17. ^ Jeremy Lambert (November 14, 2024). "Jackson Drake Announced As WWE ID Prospect". Fightful. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  18. ^ Jeremy Lambert (November 24, 2024). "WWE ID Prospect Scouted Out Of Future Stars Of Wrestling Announced". Fightful. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
  19. ^ WWE ID (November 9, 2024). "#WWEID welcomes @MarcusMathers1 Scouted From: Game Changer Wrestling (GCW) Hometown: Philadelphia PA". X. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
  20. ^ "Ricky Smokes Announced As WWE ID Prospect". Fightful. November 15, 2024. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  21. ^ WWE ID (November 9, 2024). "#WWEID welcomes @SamHHolloway Scouted From: International Wrestling Cartel (IWC) Hometown: Akron, OH". X. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
  22. ^ WWE ID (November 8, 2024). "#WWEID welcomes @Sean_Legacy1 Scouted From: Pro Wrestling Revolution/NOAH Tryout Hometown: Augusta, Georgia". X. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
  23. ^ "WWE ID Prospect Revealed At Freelance Wrestling". Fightful. November 21, 2024. Retrieved November 22, 2024.
  24. ^ WWE ID (November 8, 2024). "#WWEID welcomes @zarazakher Scouted From: Millenium Pro Wrestling (MPW) Hometown: San Diego, CA". X. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
  25. ^ WWE ID (November 7, 2024). "#WWEID welcomes @ZaydaSteel Scouted From: Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW) Hometown: Washington D.C." X. Retrieved November 8, 2024.
  26. ^ Jeremy Lambert (November 17, 2024). "Zoe Sager Announced As WWE ID Prospect". Fightful. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  27. ^ "WWE NIL". WWE Recruit. Retrieved November 9, 2024.
  28. ^ Russell, Skylar (February 21, 2025). "Brandon Rechsteiner Says Brock Rechsteiner Will Be In WWE, Teases Possible Bloodline-Like Story For Steiner Family". Fightful. Retrieved February 21, 2025.
  29. ^ Boyer, Claire (February 3, 2025). "WWE Extends NIL Opportunity to Colorado State Lineman, Former Sumo Champion". SI.com. Retrieved February 21, 2025.