Meet WWE's 9 new signings

It's always incredibly exciting for the WWE Universe when WWE announces new signings - and the Performance Center has welcomed nine more of them over the past 24 hours!

The previous handful of intakes have seen stars such as Matt Riddle, Mia Yim, KUSHIDA, Shane Strickland - now Isaiah Scott, Rachael Ellering - now Evers, ACH and Punishment Martinez - now Damian Priest, as well as a seven-foot-three basketball player, two football players and "The Samoan Ghost" - so the newest intake has a lot to live up to!

But we don't think that's something they'll have a problem with.

These nine Superstars we're going to introduce you to may technically be about to begin life as WWE Superstars by training at WWE's high-class facility, the Performance Center, in preparation for life in the squared circle as a touring WWE Superstar.

All nine will debut on NXT initially, and the class includes a former Impact Wrestling star, a basketball player, a bodybuilder, a footballer and an aspiring musician who toured with Soulja Boy!

So, who are they? Sportskeeda has you covered. Here's some need-to-know information on WWE's newest recruits.

#9 Jessy

Jessy, real-name Catalina Garcia, is from Chile. Using the moniker "La Diva del Ring", Jessy has competed in Chilean promotions 5 Luchas – Clandestino and MAX Lucha Libre, as well as the Santiago-based Revolución Lucha Libre, where she is a two-time women’s champion.

#8 Marcos Gomes

Marcos Gomes joins the WWE Performance Center from the world of combat sports. The 260-pounder is a specialist in Jiu-Jitsu but also trains in boxing and wrestling, and is an instructor in Muay Thai.

The MMA fighter joins a whole list of former combat sports athletes at the PC in Matt Riddle, Shayna Baszler, Marina Shafir and Jessamyn Duke.

#7 Rita Reis

Gomes won't be the only Brazilian rocking up at the PC, and not the only Jiu-Jitsu fighter either.

24-year-old Rita Reis is a Jiu-Jitsu world champion and a multi-time medallist in both Jiu-Jitsu and judo, the specialism of one Ronda Rousey. She’s won titles, not just in Brazil, but throughout Europe as well. Reis also took home the gold in the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship in 2017.

#6 Briana Brandy

Briana Brandy has toured with Soulja Boy!

Now, if you're thinking, "WWE is only signing people with MMA backgrounds" you could not be more wrong.

Introducing Briana Brandy.

Brandy has one of the most unique paths to the Performance Center that WWE has ever known. The aspiring hip-hop artist has toured alongside the likes of Soulja Boy and Jadakiss.

Standing at 5-foot-9, Brandy has years of ninjutsu and extreme CrossFit training under her belt. Brandy also played basketball and was a competitive swimmer in high school, and has previously attended a WWE tryout in June 2017.

On her Instagram, Brandy details her journey from music to wrestling, and has photos with the likes of Rusev and Henry Cejudo, as well as sparring videos - and has recently posted about achieving her dream job of WWE.

#5 Aleksandar Jaksic

Aleksandar Jaksic trained under former WWE Intercontinental Champion Santino Marella, but the 24-year-old played semi-pro basketball in Germany before setting his sights on the ring.

Standing at 6-foot-5 and 230 pounds, Jaksic trained at Marella's Battle Arts Academy in Canada, but was also coached by WCW star Alex Wright.

The 24-year-old competed in Germany under the moniker LX Ken over the past few years, and signs after taking part in WWE’s tryout in Cologne last November.

#4 EJ Nduka

And how do you go bigger than that? Well, with one inch in height and 35 pounds on Jaksic is EJ Nduka!

Now, that's no slight on Jaksic, because Nduka's physique is more unique than most current WWE Superstars.

Standing at six-foot-six and weighing in at 265 pounds, Nduka may be the most athletically diverse star in this class. Having played professional football for four years, including stints in the CFL, IFL and AFL, and later becoming a champion bodybuilder, Nduka didn't stop there.

The 30-year-old has also trained in mixed martial arts and boxing, and attended tryouts at the WWE Performance Center in December 2018 and April 2019.

#3 Tehuti Miles

US Army veteran Tehuti Miles is a former Division I football player who attended WWE tryouts in 2017 and 2018.

The 210-pounder has competed in Ring of Honor's Future of Honor, as well as across the Maryland independent circle.

Miles, from Silver Spring, played multiple positions for the University of Maryland Terrapins after serving in the military, which included a tour of duty in Afghanistan.

#2 Santana Garrett

Most wrestling fans will be familiar with the name Santana Garrett.

A competitor in the inaugural Mae Young Classic, Garrett comes with a wealth of experience from her time at Impact Wrestling, as well as being featured on NXT TV, competing for SHINE and World Wonder Ring Stardom.

31-year-old Garrett also won the Cauliflower Alley Club’s Future Legend Award in 2014, a distinction once bestowed upon Kurt Angle, and is a second-generation wrestler, being the daughter of former wrestler “TNT” Kenny G.

Garrett has been mentored by WWE Hall of Famers Scott Hall and Larry Zbyszko, and competed against Piper Niven in the inaugural Mae Young Classic. The Floridian named Sable, Victoria and Trish Stratus among her favourite wrestlers.

#1 Austin Theory

And the headliner of this class of recruits is one of the worst kept secrets in wrestling. It had been rumoured for months that Austin Theory would join WWE before long, and he finally has.

At age 22, Austin Theory, real name Austin White, is one of sports-entertainment’s fastest-rising young prospects. White already has experience of facing top NXT Superstars as part of WWE's relationship with EVOLVE Wrestling, where Theory has been a regular.

The 22-year-old Georgian won the EVOLVE Title from Fabian Aichner last December in a Triple Threat Match that also featured Roderick Strong, and has since battled the likes of Adam Cole and Johnny Gargano at EVOLVE events. He also made his WWE Network debut in July, defeating JD Drake to win the WWN Title at the EVOLVE 10th Anniversary Celebration.

Theory also spoke with Chris Van Vliet - who appeared on our brand-new series Dropkick DiSKussions this week - back in January in an interview which you can check out below.

Theory stands at six-foot-one and 220 pounds, and has also competed for Progress Wrestling as well as in Mexico, joining WWE with incredible experience and unlimited potential.

Who are you most excited to see in the ring? Let us know in the comments.

Edited by Arvind Sriram