The Pros and Cons of Triple H’s New WWE ID Development Program | News, results, highlights, stats and rumours

WWE’s new developmental program sparked debate online this week as fans and insiders questioned what it could mean for the future of independent wrestling.

On October 29, the company unveiled WWE ID, a new initiative that will provide a path for newcomers to join the global inexhaustible force. This is the latest development in talent development after the implementation of the NIL program in 2021.

As a result, the company has partnerships with Booker T’s Reality of Wrestling, Cody Rhodes’ Fabry Nightmare, Seth Rollins’ Black and Brave Academy, Elite Pro Wrestling Training Center and Rikishi’s KnokX Pro Academy.

Details about the inner workings of the new project are few, but the announcement prompted radically different points of view from wrestlers and viewers. Still, it’s unclear how the WWE ID tag and contract status will affect the indie scene, and many are just curious to see how it plays out.

There was a lot to take in from the news as NXT enters its first year on the CW network and we analyze Era 2.0. While the brand has produced breakout stars with student-athletes, the roster needs a balance of both amateurs and seasoned in-ring performers.

However, it may also raise questions about the overall success of the NIL program and what it will mean for the Performance Center. There’s so much we don’t know, but this new path to superstardom already has its pros and cons.

Pro: WWE ID offers independent wrestlers a chance to become the best

Let’s start with the positive. WWE ID potentially gives indie wrestlers another source of income, exposure and training assistance.

The growing talent pool in the industry means that standing out in an industry full of exceptional performers can be harder than ever. Even more, it is difficult for anyone to make a respectable living on stage without a day job.

Obviously, that’s why most freelancers try to eventually sign with a big company like WWE or AEW. Over the last decade, some outliers have proven that you can build a profitable brand on your own through the Internet.

However, many independent stars are finding it difficult to break into the big leagues. If this new development program helps ease their financial burden during their studies, it is a beneficial move for most budding talents.

Con: WWE ID will turn the prospect away from the competition

The biggest question about this developmental program and accompanying tag is how it will affect promotions outside of WWE.

Most naysayers will immediately point to the company’s track record since Vince McMahon dismantled the territories. The old regime’s penchant for poaching top stars from smaller promotions and ultimately putting them out of business was an integral part of WWE’s rise to the undisputed industry leader.

This questionable business practice would logically cause anyone familiar with professional wrestling history to question its intentions. Despite the favorable benefits of the WWE ID, many critics see it as a strategic way to hinder her main competitor.

In 2019, the booming American indie group created the pipeline for what would later become All Elite Wrestling. Since then, AEW has become a viable alternative for fans and wrestlers, and the free agent market has become much more active.

WWE’s latest announcement could encourage more independent acts to take a chance on the biggest stage instead of signing a tiered contract with AEW. This would change the arms race and prevailing perception between the two companies and allow one side to capture the market.

Yes, WWE had to improve its image after they stopped signing indie wrestlers in 2021, but there is a slippery slope here. This program could hypothetically prevent certain talents from working with competitors or cause them to cancel scheduled performances.

Brandon Thurston with Postal struggle reported that there are currently no restrictions on where hired indie talent can appear and whether they can lose matches. However, he couldn’t get a definitive answer on whether or not indie wrestlers signed to WWE can compete on AEW.

There’s no incentive to let a top prospect work with a competitor, but a contract wrestler would likely avoid doing so, even if it wasn’t specifically stated. Most of them would not want to risk their chances of signing in the long term.

Pro: WWE ID gives newbies real goals

Accredited program with wrestling schools across the country gives listeners an idea of ​​what WWE is looking for and what works.

Of course, nothing is guaranteed in pro wrestling, but it theoretically removes one of the barriers for new talent. So many indie wrestlers signed contracts with the company and had to change their name and gimmick or quit bad habits.

Hopefully, WWE ID will help them catch these mistakes early and work on a character and moveset that fits the house style. Exposure to the company’s fan base through highlights and matches shown on WWE’s social platforms also offers a nice advantage.

If the fans respond well to someone online, WWE and the wrestlers will know they have something that connects with their audience. It’s a lot better than spying in the dark for someone hoping to appear in intelligence reports.

It may not be the ideal route for everyone, but it can be extremely rewarding for those who have always dreamed of working for WWE. Being able to build a working relationship, create a gimmick that tests well, and leverage company resources would be invaluable.

Con: WWE ID could hurt the ailing indie wrestling scene

Independent wrestling is nowhere near as lively and multi-faceted as it was five years ago, and WWE ID could add to its woes.

The start of AEW has certainly had some negative effects on the scene, and the pandemic has forced some promotions to close their doors for good. However, the likelihood that your best prospects may start canceling or losing opportunities is a concern.

After all, NXT UK was one of the factors that brought the British wrestling scene back for a while. It would be an exaggeration to say that this could spell the end of indie wrestling in the US

However, this could potentially make it difficult for some smaller promotions to stay in business or simply book the hottest talent, as another promotion in the same area affiliated with WWE would have an advantage.

The wrestling business has seen so many changes and will likely evolve again with the addition of the WWE ID. In such situations, it is easy to predict gloom and doom.

In reality, our downsides are speculative because there is still so much we don’t know about this program.

It’s the first of its kind and a step up from the outdated mold that McMahon created. However, his vision of professional wrestling has understandably made many of us wonder if we should trust this initiative and the current regime. Time will tell.