An update has emerged on the WWE Independent Development program, with several talents reportedly already signed to contracts.
WWE officially announced the program on October 29, with it described as a “developmental program designed to provide up-and-coming independent wrestlers a pathway to a potential career in WWE.”
Per Brandon Thurston of POST Wrestling, several independent wrestlers – who weren’t specifically named – have deals with WWE which allow them to continue to appear at indie wrestling events.
A source familiar with the program reportedly noted that there are currently no restrictions on where contracted indie talent can appear, or whether they can lose matches.
The report noted that they were unable to get a definitive answer on whether indie wrestlers under contract with WWE could appear for AEW.
As noted in a previous report from PWInsider’s Mike Johnson, WWE ID is something the company have been working on “off and on” for years, with the company seeking to “continuously enrich and prepare for the future” beyond their current efforts with NIL (Next In Line) and scouting of indie talent.
Former ROH and Evolve booker Gabe Sapolsky will be a part of those overseeing the program, having already conducted scouting for WWE at wrestling schools and indie events in recent years.
You can read WWE’s original announcement right here, while more backstage details related to the launch can be found here.
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