Major plans revealed for new WWE Superstars - Reports

WWE is set to introduce the next groundbreaking aspect of pro wrestling soon. Triple H has promised that the RAW Netflix era will bring unprecedented experiences unlike anything fans have seen. 2025 got off to a strong start with the first SmackDown of 2025, and now sources are dropping massive details on what The Game and his team have in store for the fans.

World Wrestling Entertainment recently launched its WWE ID (Independent Development) program to complement the NIL (Next In Line) program announced in 2021. The first-of-its-kind developmental program was designed to strengthen and raise the profile of the indie wrestling ecosystem. Officials have been busy building the ID roster of talents and wrestling schools, as well as the WWE ID Showcase matches being held around the country.

Sources revealed this week that the company is doing away with NXT Level Up in favor of a new show called NXT Evolve, spear-headed by WWE Creative Consultant and longtime wearer of many wrestling hats, Gabe Sapolsky, who recently added the role of Domestic Talent Scout of WWE ID to his job titles.

The co-founder of ROH and EVOLVE has written about his work on ID via social media and is said to be heading up the new NXT Evolve project, reportedly for developmental talents who are not NXT TV regulars. The initial report also noted that NXT Evolve will include angles and promos to be more like a standard wrestling show, not just in-ring matches. Sapolsky, a protégé of Paul Heyman, has worked directly with Triple H since he joined Stamford-based promotion in 2016 as a creative consultant.

Backstage sources have revealed new details on NXT Evolve's plans. The word now is that it will essentially be a vehicle for WWE ID. PWInsider adds that Gabe signed a new deal in late 2024, has been overseeing ID so far, and will be in charge of NXT Evolve Creative.

For a month or so, rumors have been circulating on the indie scene claiming EVOLVE was being brought in some capacity after the Endeavor-owned company bought its assets in July 2020. Some indie talents believe TV tapings will be held at the Performance Center in late January or early February, using the WWE ID wrestlers. However, internal sources have not confirmed these tapings, and it wasn't clear if these were for NXT Evolve.

Regarding the ID talents' brief appearance on NXT TV this past week, word from backstage is that these wrestlers were showcased for a reason, but no other details were provided.

As indicated before, there is also some confusion on whether NXT Evolve is a specific replacement for NXT Level Up. WWE and A&E announced the LFG (Legends & Future Greats) reality series for early 2025, and it was reported then that this would replace Level Up without many more details, such as whether or not the show will air in the Friday night timeslot used by Level Up.

LFG will see rising talents compete for a contract, using mentors such as Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Mickie James, Booker T, and The Undertaker.

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The final episode of WWE NXT Level Up

World Wrestling Entertainment premiered NXT Level Up on February 18, 2022, and aired the finale on December 27, 2024. Level Up initially replaced 205 Live, and the finale aired this past week with a few regulars: Wendy Choo and Dante Chen.

Byron Saxton and Blake Howard called the taped Level Up finale. Choo, Kali Armstrong, and Lainey Reid lost to Carlee Bright, Layla Diggs, and Kendal Grey in the opener. The Dante Chen Open Challenge was the main event, but first, a Level Up highlight video was shown. Chen defeated Keanu Carver, Harlem Lewis, and Kale Dixon to win the Gauntlet in just over seven minutes.

Level Up ended with 150 episodes, taped at the Performance Center in Orlando, besides the few clip shows. NXT's one-hour B-show aired every Friday at 10 PM ET on Peacock and WWE Network.