WWE ID

In the world of professional wrestling, no organization is as iconic as WWE. Almost every budding wrestler dreams of stepping foot inside the squared circle of the WWE. However, getting into the world’s premier wrestling entertainment company has its challenges. While the competition to get into the company gets more and more difficult, the promotion has taken a significant step towards fostering the next generation of wrestling stars with the launch of its WWE ID program.

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What is WWE ID?

WWE ID or the WWE Independent Development Program is an innovative initiative aiming to identify, develop, and support promising independent wrestlers, providing them with a clear pathway to a potential WWE career. WWE announced the launch of its developmental initiative on October 29, 2024. Here, WWE will partner with pro-wrestling training schools and provide these schools with resources and recognition as per WWE's official website. With this, WWE aims to enhance training opportunities for aspiring wrestlers.

The program will scout promising independent wrestlers and offer them the WWE ID “prospect” designation. Selected talents will receive financial support, access to elite training facilities, mentorship from experienced professionals, and opportunities to showcase their skills through curated content on WWE’s platforms. The ID program seeks to find the next big thing on the training circuit. This will help the promotion’s commitment to nurturing talent from grassroots levels and bridging the gap between independent circuits and its developmental system.

History of WWE ID

Over the years, WWE has had various ways of hiring talents. It has signed already establishment names such as AJ Styles, Ronda Rousey, Logan Paul, Sting, and more. However, wrestlers such as Roman Reigns, John Cena, The Rock, Brock Lesnar, and more are the ones who rose through the ranks of WWE.

WWE has introduced numerous programs focused on finding the next big thing. Developmental promotions such as Ohio Valley Wrestling, Florida Championship Wrestling, and a grassroots version of NXT help the company nurture its talent while competitions such as Tough Enough, and Diva Search have played an on-screen role in promoting young wrestlers. WWE also introduced the NIL program for college athletes in 2021. After its success, it introduced the ID program in October 2024.

WWE ID Training Schools

As of December, 2024, five pro-wrestling training schools are associated with the WWE ID program as per WWE's press release. The company has partnered with these prestigious wrestling schools, designating them as official WWE ID affiliates. These include Booker T’s Reality of Wrestling in Houston, Cody Rhodes’ Nightmare Factory in Atlanta, Seth Rollins’ Black and Brave Academy in Iowa, Elite Pro Wrestling Training Center in New Hampshire, and KnokX Pro Academy in Los Angeles.

Current WWE ID Prospects

Zayda Steel, Bryce Donovan, and Cappuccino Jones are the first three prospects of the WWE ID program. Since then, the company has announced several other names who are selected under the program.

According to the WWE's official website, these are all the prospects signed to the WWE ID program, as of December 1, 2024,