# WWE ID and WWE NIL

WWE Recruit is a developmental system created by American professional wrestling promotion WWE consisting of the WWE Next in Line (WWE NIL) and WWE Independent Development (WWE ID) programs. The system supports the training and development of athletes at certain wrestling schools, wrestling promotions, and colleges.
On December 2, 2021, WWE established the WWE NIL program, which exclusively supports college athletes who decide to train as wrestlers. After the launch of WWE NIL, the WWE ID program was launched on October 29, 2024 to develop and support the training of independent professional wrestlers. The wrestling schools and promotions initially designated under WWE ID are Reality of Wrestling, Black and Brave Academy, Nightmare Factory, Elite Pro Wrestling Training Center, and KnokX Pro Academy.

## History

Prior to the 2020s, WWE had used several methods to train its future on-screen talent. This included partnering with other promotions to act as developmental territories, including Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), Deep South Wrestling (DSW), and Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) among others. In 2010, WWE established NXT as an in-house televised developmental brand, which became the major pathway to the promotion's main roster.
In 2021, WWE established the WWE Next in Line (WWE NIL) program, which exclusively supports U.S.-based college athletes who decide to train as wrestlers. The program was launched as an extension of NCAA-approved name, image, and likeness policies.
In June 2024, WWE trademarked WWE ID and WWE Independent Development with the purpose of organizing and conducting a program to help develop wrestlers. That October, WWE ID was officially announced, which would support the development of independent wrestlers at specified schools or promotions and provide them a pathway to the promotion. The first schools and promotions designated under WWE ID were Reality of Wrestling (run by Booker T), Black and Brave Academy (run by Seth Rollins and Marek Brave), Nightmare Factory (run by Cody Rhodes), Elite Pro Wrestling Training Center, and KnokX Pro Academy (run by Rikishi). On November 9, Fightful reported that Timothy Thatcher had been signed as the WWE ID trainer.
On February 1, 2025, during the 2025 Royal Rumble, WWE announced the launch of WWE Evolve, a Tubi program based on the defunct independent Evolve promotion ran by WWE ID co-founder Gabe Sapolsky. The program, which premiered on March 5, 2025, features both WWE ID prospects and Performance Center trainees. On February 18, WWE chief content officer Paul "Triple H" Levesque announced the creation of the Men's WWE ID Championship and Women's ID Championship, the championships will be defended in WWE and on the independent circuit.

## WWE ID prospects
### Men's division

| Ring name | Real name | Notes |
| Aaron Roberts | Unknown | Scouted from Memphis Wrestling |
| Aaron Rourke | Aaron Rourke | Scouted from Create A Pro Wrestling Academy and Beyond Wrestling |
| Brad Baylor | Brad Baylor | Scouted from Wrestling Open |
| Bryce Donovan | Bryce Donovan | Scouted from Wrestling Open |
| Cappuccino Jones | Unknown | Scouted from This Is Wrestling |
| Freedom Ramsey | Unknown | Scouted from City Championship Wrestling |
| Ice Williams | DeJon Williams | Scouted from Reality of Wrestling and Future Stars of Wrestling |
| It's Gal | Gal Barkay | Scouted from Elite Pro Wrestling Training Center and Wrestling Open |
| Jack Cartwheel | Jack Summit | Scouted from Game Changer Wrestling |
| Jackson Drake | Jackson Drake | Scouted from Fire Star Pro Wrestling |
| Jordan Oasis | Unknown | Scouted from Future Stars of Wrestling |
| Marcus Mathers | Marc Mattiacci | Scouted from Game Changer Wrestling |
| Ricky Smokes | Unknown | Scouted from Chaotic Wrestling |
| Sam Hardway Holloway | Samuel Hettich | Scouted from International Wrestling Cartel |
| Sean Legacy | Sean Rossini | Scouted from Pro Wrestling Revolution and Pro Wrestling Noah |

### Women's division

| Ring name | Real name | Notes |
| Kylie Rae | Briana Rae Sparrey | Scouted from Freelance Wrestling |
| Zara Zakher | Gabi Crump | Scouted from Millenium Pro Wrestling |
| Zayda Steel | Zayda Steel | Scouted from Combat Zone Wrestling |
| Zoe Sager | Zoe Sager | Scouted from Northern Crown Wrestling |

## WWE NIL prospects

Source:

### Men's division

| Ring name | Real name | Notes |
| Adam Berghorst | Adam Berghorst | Scouted from Indiana State University |
| Brock Rechsteiner | Brock Rechsteiner | Scouted from Jacksonville State University |
| Cameron Jones | Cameron Jones | Scouted from University of Cincinnati |
| Carlos Aviles | Carlos Aviles | Scouted from The Ohio State University |
| Cohlton Schultz | Cohlton Schultz | Scouted from Arizona State University |
| Dee Beckwith | Dee Beckwith | Scouted from University of Kentucky |
| Desmond Coleman | Desmond Coleman | Scouted from Liberty University |
| Greg Kerkvliet | Daniel Gregory Clifton Kerkvliet Jr. | Scouted from Penn State |
| Hidetora Hanada | Hidetora Hanada | Scouted from Colorado State University |
| Jeremy Cody | Jeremy Cody | Scouted from University of Miami |
| John Krahn | John Krahn | Scouted from Portland State University |
| Jon Seaton | Jon Seaton | Scouted from Elon University |
| Josh Pearcy | Josh Pearcy | Scouted from Rice University |
| KeShaun Moore | KeShaun Moore | Scouted from Hampton University |
| Landon Jackson | Landon Jackson | Scouted from University of Arkansas |
| Lucas Davison | Lucas Davison | Scouted from University of Michigan |
| Luke Ford | Luke Ford | Scouted from University of Illinois |
| Maliq Carr | Maliq Carr | Scouted from Michigan State University |
| Mason Parris | Mason Mark Parris | Scouted from University of Michigan |
| Momen Zahid | Momen Zahid | Scouted from College of William & Mary |
| Nick Dawkins | Nicholas Paul Dawkins | Scouted from Penn State |
| Otoniel Badjana | Otoniel Badjana | Scouted from University of Pittsburgh |
| Ruben Banks | Ruben Banks | Scouted from University of Arkansas |
| Slane Glover | Slane Glover | Scouted from The Ohio State University |
| Stephen Buchanan | Stephen Buchanan | Scouted from University of Oklahoma |
| Turner Washington | Turner Washington | Scouted from Arizona State University |
| Zachary Knighton-Ward | Zachary Knighton-Ward | Scouted from Hofstra University |

### Women's division

| Ring name | Real name | Notes |
| Alexandra Jaksec | Alexandra Jaksec | Scouted from University of Mary Washington |
| Ali Mattox | Ali Mattox | Scouted from Ole Miss |
| Alia Armstrong | Alia Armstrong | Scouted from Louisiana State University |
| Aleeya Hutchins | Aleeya Hutchins | Scouted from Wake Forest University |
| Chandler Hayden | Chandler Olivia Hayden | Scouted from University of Tennessee |
| Ericka Link | Ericka Link | Scouted from Elon University |
| Grace Stephens | Grace Stephens | Scouted from Monmouth University |
| Haley Cavinder | Haley Cavinder | Scouted from University of Miami |
| Hanna Cavinder | Hanna Cavinder | Scouted from University of Miami |
| Jaiden Fields | Jaiden Fields | Scouted from University of Georgia |
| Kali Terza | Kali Terza | Scouted from Kennesaw State University |
| Lexi Gordon | Lexi Gordon | Scouted from Duke University |
| Mady Aulbach | Mady Aulbach | Scouted from Youngstown State University |
| Mikala Hall | Mikala Hall | Scouted from Central Michigan University |
| Rachel Glenn | Rachel Symone Glenn | Scouted from University of South Carolina |
| Riley White | Riley White | Scouted from University of Alabama |
| Skyla Schulte | Skyla Schulte | Scouted from Michigan State University |
| Tori Ortiz | Tori Ortiz | Scouted from Oklahoma State University |
| Tyanna Omazic | Tyanna Omazic | Scouted from University of Miami |

## WWE NIL alumni

| Name | Signed with WWE? | Notes |
| Abby Jacobs | No | Scouted from University of South Alabama Currently signed to the Campeonato Nacional Feminino |
| A.J. Ferrari | No | Scouted from Oklahoma State University Removed from the WWE NIL program after being charged with felony sexual battery |
| Bayley Humphrey | Yes | Scouted from Baylor University Currently performing on WWE LFG under her real name |
| Case Hatch | Yes | Scouted from Arizona State University Currently assigned to the Evolve brand under the ring name "Tate Wilder" |
| Dalton Wagner | No | Scouted from University of Arkansas Currently signed to the National Football League |
| Darci Khan | Yes | Scouted from Howard University Currently assigned to the Evolve brand under the ring name "Masyn Holiday" |
| Derrian Gobourne | Yes | Scouted from Auburn University Currently performing on NXT house shows under the ring name "Chantel Monroe" |
| Gable Steveson | Yes | Scouted from University of Minnesota Signed with WWE in 2021 but released in 2024 |
| Glen Logan | No | Scouted from Louisiana State University Currently signed to the United Football League |
| Joe Spivak | Yes | Scouted from Northwestern University Currently assigned to the NXT brand under the ring name "Tank Ledger" |
| Masai Russell | No | Scouted from University of Kentucky Currently signed to Grand Slam Track |
| Isaac Odugbesan | Yes | Scouted from University of Alabama Currently assigned to the NXT brand under the ring name "Oba Femi" Reigning NXT Champion |
| Isaiah Iton | No | Scouted from Rutgers University Currently signed to the National Football League |
| Peyton Prussin | Yes | Scouted from Life University Currently assigned to the NXT brand under the ring name "Kendal Grey" |
| Sirena Linton | Yes | Scouted from University of Arkansas Currently performing on WWE LFG under her real name |
| Thunder Keck | Yes | Scouted from Stanford University Currently performing on WWE LFG under the ring name "Shiloh Hill" |