WWE ID

One of the top promotions in the world of wrestling, WWE, has taken significant steps to nurture talents in grassroots wrestling and wrestling academies with the launch of the WWE ID program along with its WWE NIL (Next in Line). WWE announced the launch of its developmental initiative on October 29, 2024, following the success of the WWE NIL program, launched on December 2, 2021. With this, WWE aims to enhance training opportunities for aspiring wrestlers.

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What is WWE ID?

WWE ID or the WWE Independent Development Program is an initiative aiming to identify, develop, and support promising independent wrestlers, providing them with a clear pathway to a potential WWE career. Through this program, WWE will partner with pro-wrestling training schools and provide resources and recognition as per WWE's official website.

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 star 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 the tried and tested method of signing established names such as AJ Styles, Ronda Rousey, Logan Paul, Sting, and more. However, there are also wrestlers such as Roman Reigns, John Cena, The Rock, Brock Lesnar, and more 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 February 2025, five pro-wrestling training schools are associated with the WWE ID program as per WWE's press release. These include Booker T’s Reality of Wrestling in Houston, Cody Rhodes’ Nightmare Factory in Atlanta, Seth Rollins’ Black and Brave Wrestling 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,

*from recruit.wwe.com

*Last updated February 18, 2025