WWE has announced a game-changing initiative to bridge the gap between independent wrestling and the WWE's developmental system. The program, titled WWE Independent Development or WWE ID , promises to bring financial support, increased exposure, and growth opportunities to independent wrestlers and training academies. The program's launch sees WWE already partnering with five renowned wrestling schools and introducing its first three indie talents under the WWE ID designation.
What is the WWE ID program?
The WWE Independent Development program (WWE ID) is a new initiative by WWE aimed at strengthening its connections with independent wrestling by supporting both indie wrestling talent and training schools. As mentioned above, the program offers financial and developmental opportunities, creating a pathway for wrestlers on the indie scene to potentially transition into WWE’s larger developmental system.
The program has two main aspects:
1. Partnerships with Independent Wrestling Schools: WWE ID designates certain independent wrestling schools as official affiliates, such as Reality of Wrestling, The Nightmare Factory, Black and Brave Academy, Elite Pro Wrestling Training Center, and Knokx Pro Academy. These partnerships give WWE access to training facilities and a fresh pool of talent while providing these schools and their students with additional resources and industry exposure.
2. Scouting and Designation of Indie Talent: This program also identifies promising wrestlers from the independent circuit to bring under the WWE ID umbrella. WWE scouts these wrestlers from various promotions, providing them with resources, financial support, and training that may eventually lead them to WWE’s developmental program. The first three talents selected under this program are Zayda Steel , Bryce Donovan, and Cappuccino Jones.
Overall, WWE ID is designed to bridge the gap between WWE and the independent wrestling world, allowing WWE to nurture talent early while supporting the indie wrestling community. This approach expands WWE's developmental reach beyond traditional methods, which have typically focused on WWE's own Performance Center and the NXT brand.
Five independent schools join WWE ID as founding affiliates
As mentioned above, the WWE ID program has designated five independent wrestling schools as founding affiliates, recognizing their quality and influence in training upcoming wrestling stars. These schools include Booker T's Reality of Wrestling (Houston), Cody Rhodes' The Nightmare Factory (Atlanta), Seth Rollins' Black and Brave Academy (Davenport, Iowa), Elite Pro Wrestling Training Center (Concord, N.H.), and Knokx Pro Academy (Los Angeles). Each school has a reputation for producing standout talents, and WWE hopes to foster a mutually beneficial relationship, giving the next generation of wrestling stars an early connection to WWE.
WWE’s announcement highlights that the program is designed to “provide independent wrestling talent with major opportunities, both financially and development-wise.” This collaboration is seen as a revolutionary move by WWE to invest directly in independent wrestling, potentially expanding the company’s influence in independent circuits and opening doors for the wrestlers themselves.
First three WWE ID prospects named: Zayda Steel, Bryce Donovan, and Cappuccino Jones
Along with the school partnerships, WWE has unveiled the first batch of WWE ID prospects: Zayda Steel, Bryce Donovan, and Cappuccino Jones. These three wrestlers, each with distinct backgrounds and unique in-ring styles, represent WWE’s strategy to scout promising talent from diverse promotions and provide them with a clearer path to WWE.
The first prospect, "The Real Deal" Zayda Steel, was scouted from Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW). Steel, a native of Washington, D.C., brings over two years of professional experience. Her career highlights include appearances in Major League Wrestling, Marigold, and Warriors of Wrestling, where she earned the WOW Women’s Champion title. Steel’s exposure to various wrestling styles has expanded her versatility, and her summer stint in Japan’s Marigold promotion has added international experience to her resume. Her recent return to the United States has already sparked excitement among fans and trainers alike.
Also read: Tiffany Stratton teases Money in the Bank cash-in on Netflix’s Monday Night RAW premiere
The second name in WWE ID’s lineup is Bryce Donovan, an eight-year veteran of the wrestling business with extensive experience across major independent promotions. Donovan, who WWE scouted from Wrestling Open, has also competed in Create-A-Pro, Beyond Wrestling, and Limitless Wrestling. Notably, he has appeared in WWE’s competitor All Elite Wrestling (AEW), facing off against former AEW World Champion MJF in a memorable singles match on AEW Dynamite. Donovan’s experience in AEW brings extra intrigue, as he transitions into WWE’s developmental network with plenty of eyes on his progress.
Completing this inaugural class is "Cold Brew" Cappuccino Jones, who boasts a coffee-inspired persona that stands out among his peers. Jones was scouted from This is Wrestling and has experience competing in Core Professional Wrestling, Wrestling For A Cause, and Ring of Honor. Known for his distinctive finishing maneuvers — the Froggy Brew and The Decafinator — Jones’ quirky, coffee-themed gimmick adds a unique flavor to WWE ID’s first roster. His recent six-man tag match in Ring of Honor saw him battle Cage of Agony (Bishop Kaun, Brian Cage & Toa Liona), highlighting his adaptability against seasoned opponents.
Further WWE ID prospects to be unveiled soon
The WWE ID program’s launch is just the beginning, with more talent announcements expected as WWE expands its reach in the independent wrestling world. Fans can anticipate the reveal of the next WWE ID prospect at Reality of Wrestling’s upcoming Super Sunday event, promising to keep audiences engaged as the program develops.
This ambitious program could not only deepen WWE's talent pool but also strengthen ties with the indie scene, potentially transforming the pipeline of future superstars.
Also read: Liv Morgan has one last WWE objective in 2024, Women's Crown Jewel Champion locked in on her Revenge Tour
What is the WWE ID program?
WWE has launched @WWEID, a first-of-its-kind developmental program designed to provide up-and-coming independent wrestlers a pathway to a potential career in WWE.
— WWE (@WWE) October 29, 2024
MORE INFO ⤵️ https://t.co/MlYItU6yVo
The WWE Independent Development program (WWE ID) is a new initiative by WWE aimed at strengthening its connections with independent wrestling by supporting both indie wrestling talent and training schools. As mentioned above, the program offers financial and developmental opportunities, creating a pathway for wrestlers on the indie scene to potentially transition into WWE’s larger developmental system.
The program has two main aspects:
1. Partnerships with Independent Wrestling Schools: WWE ID designates certain independent wrestling schools as official affiliates, such as Reality of Wrestling, The Nightmare Factory, Black and Brave Academy, Elite Pro Wrestling Training Center, and Knokx Pro Academy. These partnerships give WWE access to training facilities and a fresh pool of talent while providing these schools and their students with additional resources and industry exposure.
2. Scouting and Designation of Indie Talent: This program also identifies promising wrestlers from the independent circuit to bring under the WWE ID umbrella. WWE scouts these wrestlers from various promotions, providing them with resources, financial support, and training that may eventually lead them to WWE’s developmental program. The first three talents selected under this program are Zayda Steel , Bryce Donovan, and Cappuccino Jones.
Overall, WWE ID is designed to bridge the gap between WWE and the independent wrestling world, allowing WWE to nurture talent early while supporting the indie wrestling community. This approach expands WWE's developmental reach beyond traditional methods, which have typically focused on WWE's own Performance Center and the NXT brand.
Five independent schools join WWE ID as founding affiliates
As mentioned above, the WWE ID program has designated five independent wrestling schools as founding affiliates, recognizing their quality and influence in training upcoming wrestling stars. These schools include Booker T's Reality of Wrestling (Houston), Cody Rhodes' The Nightmare Factory (Atlanta), Seth Rollins' Black and Brave Academy (Davenport, Iowa), Elite Pro Wrestling Training Center (Concord, N.H.), and Knokx Pro Academy (Los Angeles). Each school has a reputation for producing standout talents, and WWE hopes to foster a mutually beneficial relationship, giving the next generation of wrestling stars an early connection to WWE.
WWE’s announcement highlights that the program is designed to “provide independent wrestling talent with major opportunities, both financially and development-wise.” This collaboration is seen as a revolutionary move by WWE to invest directly in independent wrestling, potentially expanding the company’s influence in independent circuits and opening doors for the wrestlers themselves.
First three WWE ID prospects named: Zayda Steel, Bryce Donovan, and Cappuccino Jones
#WWEID welcomes @BryceDShook
— WWE ID (@WWEID) November 7, 2024
Scouted From: Wrestling Open
Hometown: Long Beach, NY pic.twitter.com/i0LKpI2PUH
Along with the school partnerships, WWE has unveiled the first batch of WWE ID prospects: Zayda Steel, Bryce Donovan, and Cappuccino Jones. These three wrestlers, each with distinct backgrounds and unique in-ring styles, represent WWE’s strategy to scout promising talent from diverse promotions and provide them with a clearer path to WWE.
The first prospect, "The Real Deal" Zayda Steel, was scouted from Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW). Steel, a native of Washington, D.C., brings over two years of professional experience. Her career highlights include appearances in Major League Wrestling, Marigold, and Warriors of Wrestling, where she earned the WOW Women’s Champion title. Steel’s exposure to various wrestling styles has expanded her versatility, and her summer stint in Japan’s Marigold promotion has added international experience to her resume. Her recent return to the United States has already sparked excitement among fans and trainers alike.
Also read: Tiffany Stratton teases Money in the Bank cash-in on Netflix’s Monday Night RAW premiere
The second name in WWE ID’s lineup is Bryce Donovan, an eight-year veteran of the wrestling business with extensive experience across major independent promotions. Donovan, who WWE scouted from Wrestling Open, has also competed in Create-A-Pro, Beyond Wrestling, and Limitless Wrestling. Notably, he has appeared in WWE’s competitor All Elite Wrestling (AEW), facing off against former AEW World Champion MJF in a memorable singles match on AEW Dynamite. Donovan’s experience in AEW brings extra intrigue, as he transitions into WWE’s developmental network with plenty of eyes on his progress.
#WWEID welcomes @coldbrewjones!
— WWE ID (@WWEID) November 8, 2024
Scouted From: This Is Wrestling
Hometown: Coffeyville, KS pic.twitter.com/ZsPgXxHYU8
Completing this inaugural class is "Cold Brew" Cappuccino Jones, who boasts a coffee-inspired persona that stands out among his peers. Jones was scouted from This is Wrestling and has experience competing in Core Professional Wrestling, Wrestling For A Cause, and Ring of Honor. Known for his distinctive finishing maneuvers — the Froggy Brew and The Decafinator — Jones’ quirky, coffee-themed gimmick adds a unique flavor to WWE ID’s first roster. His recent six-man tag match in Ring of Honor saw him battle Cage of Agony (Bishop Kaun, Brian Cage & Toa Liona), highlighting his adaptability against seasoned opponents.
Further WWE ID prospects to be unveiled soon
The WWE ID program’s launch is just the beginning, with more talent announcements expected as WWE expands its reach in the independent wrestling world. Fans can anticipate the reveal of the next WWE ID prospect at Reality of Wrestling’s upcoming Super Sunday event, promising to keep audiences engaged as the program develops.
This ambitious program could not only deepen WWE's talent pool but also strengthen ties with the indie scene, potentially transforming the pipeline of future superstars.
Also read: Liv Morgan has one last WWE objective in 2024, Women's Crown Jewel Champion locked in on her Revenge Tour
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