WWE announced the WWE Independent Development (WWE ID) program, aimed at supporting independent wrestlers and providing a pathway to WWE. Prominent wrestling schools have been officially designated as WWE ID partners, including:

  • Nightmare Factory (Atlanta, Cody Rhodes and QT Marshall)
  • Reality of Wrestling (Houston, Booker T)
  • Black and Brave Academy (Davenport, Iowa, Seth Rollins)
  • Elite Pro Wrestling Training Center (Concord, N.H.)
  • KnokX Pro Academy (Los Angeles)

Trainees and talent at these designated schools will receive a range of support services, including Mentorship, training, and access to WWE’s world-class facilities and resources, such as top-tier trainers and athletic care. Students showing exceptional promise will receive a WWE ID prospect designation to track their development.

“WWE ID is the latest in our efforts to identify and support the journey of up-and-coming wrestlers, in turn raising the profile of and strengthening the independent wrestling ecosystem.” - WWE Chief Content Officer Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque

WWE has established a comprehensive talent development pipeline that feeds into its developmental brand, NXT. At the heart of this system is the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, a world-class facility where prospects hone their in-ring skills and character work.

The company’s NIL (Next In Line) program strategically recruits standout collegiate athletes, securing commitments from them to pursue WWE careers after completing their education.

The latest addition, the WWE ID program, partners with premier wrestling schools to identify and cultivate promising talent. Together, these three initiatives ensure a steady stream of prospects as they search for the next generations of wrestling superstars.