Those who have watched WWE Raw, SmackDown, and NXT have seen a number of new additions to the roster. from other companies and the world of independent wrestlingand WWE is looking to expand and create a real bridge for emerging wrestlers. finding their way to WWE. This will happen through a new program called WWE ID, which is short for WWE Independent Development. WWE will provide prominent independent wrestling schools with the WWE ID designation and seek to provide new trainees and existing talent at these schools with enhanced development opportunities.

The first schools to hold the WWE ID designation are 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, NH). ) and KnokX Pro Academy (Los Angeles). WWE has previously showcased its talents at schools like Reality of Wrestling, but now it’s looking to take that partnership even further.

Videos from ComicBook.com

WWE will also identify top independent wrestling prospects with an official WWE ID prospect designation and support their development by providing financial opportunities and assisting with training, mentoring and development. These prospects will also have access to world-class facilities, the best in-ring training, athletic trainers and much more.

WWE will also release curated behind-the-scenes content and look to showcase these prospects’ highlights and big matches on social media so fans can follow their journey to their hopeful destination of full-time WWE status.

(RELATED: Watch WWE’s Stephanie Vaquer Make Her Killer NXT In-Ring Debut)

“WWE ID is the latest in our efforts to identify and support the journey of emerging wrestlers, raising the profile and strengthening the ecosystem of independent wrestling,” said Paul “Triple H” Levesque, WWE Chief Content Officer.

Triple H expanded on this point in a post onwriting: “The level of talent on the independent scene is incredible. They are going towards make their dream come trueand I’m thrilled that WWE is at the forefront of supporting their journeys. @WWEID is here to help identify, support and build the next generation of WWE Superstars.

WWE has recently signed a number of talents with experience in other companies and the independent scene. This includes Zaria, Giulia, Stephanie Vaquer and the Motor City Machine Guns in just the last few months. That’s in addition to prospects coming in from outside the wrestling world, and many of them have and continue to make an impact on NXT, SmackDown, and Raw as we speak.

Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes shared his thoughts on the new initiative on X, writing: “I’m excited to see this program flourish and change the landscape of professional wrestling. As Coach QT and I say at The Nightmare Factory… “Do the work.” You can view this tweet here.

What do you think of the WWE ID program and do you think we’ll see more independent stars making their way to WWE as a result? You can talk about all things me on Threads and Twitter @mattaguilarcb!