WWE Signs Olympic Star, Offers Contracts To Two Others

WWE continues to look to the future.

WWE is no stranger to signing olympians, even if not all of these deals work out. While Kurt Angle went on to achieve incredible success after switching to pro wrestling, Gable Steveson was released in May 2024 after failing to make the grade.

But keen not to miss out on the next Angle, WWE has dipped back into the olympic ranks to signed another prospective star.

Writing in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reported that the company has signed 27-year-old judo star Aaron Fara. In addition, contracts have also been offered to another judo player — Shady Einaches, and discus thrower Francois Prinsloo.

Aaron Fara, 27, who represented Austria in judo at 220 pounds in the 2024 Olympics, has signed a developmental deal.

WWE had a tryout with 17 Olympic athletes. Since then they offered deals to Fara, Shady Elnahas, a 26-year-old judo player from Canada who won at both the Commonwealth Games and Pan American games, and Francois Prinsloo, a 22-year-old discus thrower from South Africa.

Fara being signed got coverage in almost all the mainstream outlets in Austria this past week. Fara is about 6-foot-4, with a good physique and is a good media interview and said to be charismatic.

First WWE ID Wrestlers Revealed

Meanwhile, the company has announced the first three wrestlers who have joined its WWE ID program. Those three performers are Zayda Steel, Bryce Donovan, and Cappuccino Jones. Steel is perhaps the most well known of the trio having spent a spell in Japan with Marigold where she crossed paths with Giulia.

More prospects will be confirmed on November 8th, while another announcement will be made at Reality of Wrestling’s Super Sunday Event on November 10th. The promotion, which is owned and run by Booker T, already has close ties with the sports entertainment giant.

WWE ID will see up and coming wrestlers join the company via partnerships with several wrestling schools. This is designed to create a pathway between the independent scene and the bright lights of WWE while giving those rising stars access to the best facilities and coaches available.