WWE has officially launched an indie developmental program called Independent Development, or ID to support independent wrestling talent.
Announced on Tuesday, the program seeks to bridge the gap between the independent wrestling circuit and WWE, providing emerging talent with resources, training, and a potential pathway to becoming future WWE Superstars.
Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque emphasized WWE’s commitment to this initiative, stating that the program will play a crucial role in nurturing talent and offering them a platform to shine.
WWE ID has already established partnerships with several prestigious independent wrestling schools, including Booker T’s Reality of Wrestling, Cody Rhodes’ Nightmare Factory, Seth Rollins’ Black and Brave Academy, Elite Pro Wrestling Training Center, and KnokX Pro Academy.
While Triple H expressed excitement for the program on Twitter, reactions within the wrestling community have been mixed. Some fans and industry insiders worry that WWE ID might alter the culture of the indie scene or homogenize talent, turning independent wrestling into a mere feeder system for WWE.
A fan humorously remarked, “Nothing says independent more than the backing of a billion-dollar company 😭,” while another commented, “Indies been cooked for a few years now but it’s gonna be fried now lmao.”
However, others argue that the impact on the indie circuit may not be as severe as feared. Independent wrestling is known for its vibrancy and diversity, continuously revitalizing itself. Those unaffiliated with WWE may even gain extra support from fans who prefer promotions not designated with the WWE ID program tag.
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