WWE reveals details and first independent schools for WWE ID

Those tuning in to WWE Raw, SmackDown and NXT saw a number of new additions to the roster from other companies and the independent wrestling worldand WWE is looking to expand and create a real bridge for future wrestlers find his way to the WWE. This will happen thanks to a new program called WWE ID, which is short for WWE Independent Development. WWE will provide prominent independent wrestling schools with a WWE ID, and plans to provide new recruits and existing talent at these schools with additional development opportunities.

The first schools to receive the WWE ID designation are Booker T’s Reality of Wrestling (Houston), Cody Rhodes’ Nightmare Factory (Atlanta), Seth Rollins’ Black and Brave Academy (Davenport, Iowa), Elite Pro Wrestling Training Center (Concord , NH ) and KnokX Pro Academy (Los Angeles). WWE already showcases their talent at schools like Reality of Wrestling, but now they’re looking to take that partnership even further.

Video from ComicBook.com

WWE will also identify the best promising independent wrestlers through the official designation of a WWE ID prospect and support their development by providing financial opportunities and assisting with training, mentoring and development. These prospects will also have access to world-class equipment, best-in-class ring training, exercise machines and more.

WWE will also release curated behind-the-scenes content and looks to showcase the highlights and big matches of these prospects on social media so fans can follow their journeys to their desired destination of full WWE status.

“WWE ID is the latest part of our efforts to identify and support up-and-coming wrestlers, which in turn raises the profile and strengthens the independent wrestling ecosystem,” said WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple A” Levesque.

Triple H expanded on that in a post on Xwriting, “The level of talent in the independent scene is incredible. They are polished make your dream a realityand I’m glad WWE will be at the forefront of supporting their journeys. @WWEID is here to help define, support and create the next generation of WWE Superstars.”

Recently, WWE has brought in a number of talents who have experience working in other companies and on the independent scene. That includes Zaria, Giulia, Stephanie Vaquer, and Motor City Machine Guns, and that’s just in the last few months. This is in addition to the prospects brought in from outside the wrestling world, many of whom have and continue to make an impact on NXT, SmackDown and Raw as we speak.

WWE Undisputed Champion Cody Rhodes shared his thoughts on the new initiative at X, writing, “I’m excited to see this program blossom and change the landscape of professional wrestling. As Coach QT and I say at The Nightmare Factory… “Do the work”. You can view that tweet right here.

What do you think of the WWE ID program and do you think we’ll see more independent stars as a result of it? You can talk about all things me on Threads and on Twitter @mattaguilarcb!