WWE Already Have Indie Stars Signed To Controversial New Deals
The bosses at WWE already have some independent pro wrestlers signed, which isn’t sitting well with some people in the business of pro wrestling.
It was announced earlier this week that WWE was developing a new program called WWE ID that is designed to target independent pro wrestlers that would give them deals to join the company in the future.
This deal for independent wrestlers is similar to the WWE Next In Line deal that has led to multiple athletes from other sports joining the company. Part of the WWE ID press release is below.
Following the 2021 launch of WWE’s NIL program, WWE ID has been constructed to support independent wrestling prospects and wrestling schools with world-class training, development and mentorship.
Under the program, WWE will provide prominent independent wrestling schools with the WWE ID official designation, with the goal of providing new trainees and existing talent at these select institutions with enhanced developmental opportunities. 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, N.H.) and KnokX Pro Academy (Los Angeles) are the first WWE ID independent wrestling schools to earn the official designation.
Additionally, WWE ID will identify top independent wrestling prospects with an official WWE ID “prospect” designation and support their developmental journey by providing financial opportunity and assisting with training, mentorship and development, including access to world-class facilities, best-in-class ring training, athletic trainers and more. WWE ID will give fans the opportunity to follow the paths of these standout prospects on the independent wrestling scene through curated, behind-the-scenes content, as well as highlights and matches showcased across WWE’s social platforms.
Wrestling Promoter Questions WWE’s New Deal For Independent Wrestlers
It has been reported by Post Wrestling that “several independent wrestlers have deals allowing them to continue appearing at independent wrestling events.” No names were given.
An independent wrestling promoter named Mark Pollesel, who runs C*4 Wrestling Ottawa, appeared on the Pollock & Thurston show where he was skeptical about WWE’s new program. and expressed skepticism about the program.
“Remember when Samoa Joe was allowed to work indies restriction-free? How long did that last for? WWE says a lot of things, and that’s fine, that’s their business. But for forty years, we have seen those things, and we’ve seen the ultimate direction where those things go.”
Samoa Joe’s deal with WWE in 2015 was initially non-exclusive to allow him to work independently, but then it changed and he worked full-time for WWE.
While it’s natural for others to question WWE’s motives, there is a new regime in charge with Paul “Triple H” Levesque as the WWE Chief Content Officer and Shawn Michaels as the Senior Vice President of Talent Development Creative in charge of the NXT brand. They are running things differently than Vince McMahon did prior to his January 2024 ouster.
It has also been reported that former ROH and EVOLVE booker Gabe Sapolsky is one of the people overseeing the program.