WWE has officially launched its new “WWE ID” program, which aims to partner with various pro wrestling schools to offer talented athletes a clear path to joining the company.
WWE has announced the first three indie wrestlers signed to the "WWE ID" program: Zayda Steel from Combat Zone Wrestling (CZW), "Cold Brew" Cappuccino Jones from This is Wrestling, and Bryce Donovan from Wrestling Open.
Additional signings for the program will be revealed this Sunday during Booker T's Reality of Wrestling event in Texas.
Zayda Steel, who last competed for CZW in November 2023, has gained attention for her recent work in Major League Wrestling (MLW) and with Marigold, a new promotion founded by STARDOM co-founder Rossy Ogawa.
Bryce Donovan, the first male talent announced, has been wrestling since 2016. He has appeared on AEW Dark and competed for promotions such as Create-A-Pro, Beyond Wrestling, and Limitless Wrestling.
The third name revealed is "Cold Brew" Cappuccino Jones, whose character is inspired by wrestlers like Orange Cassidy and Taz. The Coffeyville, Kansas native is the current CPW 918 Champion, despite having only debuted in 2022.
WWE also tweeted that further announcements regarding the "WWE ID" program will be made next week.
What is WWE ID Programme
WWE has announced an exciting expansion in its developmental efforts with the launch of a new program called WWE ID, which stands for WWE Independent Development. This initiative is designed to provide a pathway for independent wrestlers to potentially join WWE.
“WWE ID is the latest in our efforts to identify and support the journey of up-and-coming wrestlers, in turn raising the profile of and strengthening the independent wrestling ecosystem,” said WWE Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque in the official press release.
The first five independent wrestling schools to receive the WWE ID designation include:
Booker T’s Reality of Wrestling (Houston, TX)
Cody Rhodes’ Nightmare Factory (Atlanta, GA)
Seth Rollins’ Black and Brave Academy (Davenport, IA)
Elite Pro Wrestling Training Academy (Concord, NH)
KnokX Pro Academy (Los Angeles, CA)
In addition to designating these schools, WWE ID will identify top independent wrestling prospects, providing them with financial support, training, mentorship, and access to facilities. WWE plans to highlight these prospects and their development journeys on its social media platforms.
