Tag: Aigle Blanc

WWE announces three new signings, recent recruit gets NXT name

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE has officially confirmed the addition of three new Performance Center recruits.

It was announced today that Meghan Walker, Cyrus Habibi-Likio, and Jessica Bogdanov have signed with WWE and joined the Performance Center. All three attended WWE’s SummerSlam week tryouts a few months back and were recently reported to have signed WWE deals.

Walker, a track star at the University of Nebraska, was signed to the WWE NIL program before now joining the company full time. Habibi-Likio is a former college football player who played running back at Boise State, while Bogdanov is of Russian heritage and is an accomplished gymnast.

In addition to this announcement, some news emerged today regarding another recent WWE addition. French wrestler Aigle Blanc — who reported to the Performance Center last month — looks like he’ll be using “Elio Lefleur” as his NXT name. He’s listed under that name for a triple threat match against Jack Cartwheel and Chris Carter at Lucha Libre AAA’s November 28 TV taping in Puebla, Mexico. The winner earns a shot at the AAA Cruiserweight title.

Blanc (real name Cyril Coquerelle) competed across Europe and in Japan before signing with WWE.

WWE reveals newest Performance Center rookie class

Posted on by Josh Nason

Five men from outside North America make up the newest WWE Performance Center rookie class, announced by the promotion on Friday.

Jaime Garcia, Mike Derudder, Dusan Novakovic, Cyril Coquerelle and Nathan Cranton have reported to Orlando as they try and take the next step in their wrestling careers.

Jamie Garcia

The Madrid, Spain, native competed as Zozaya. The 6’3″ 23-year-old is looking to follow in the footsteps of Axiom/A-Kid who made a surprise appearance to present Garcia with the Nino Anonimo Cup in March while WWE was touring in Spain.

Mike Derudder

The 29-year-old Belgium native wrestled as Mike D Vecchio, making name in promotions like wXw and other European indies like Progress and RevPro as well as All-Japan Pro Wrestling.

Cyril Coquerelle

Formerly Aigle Blanc on the indies, the French-born 27-year-old has been a pro since 2014. He also has experience across Europe as well as All-Japan Pro Wrestling.

Nathan Cranton

Wrestling as Nathan Angel, the England native is 22 and has been a pro since 2022. He is also a former Mr. International competitor.

Dusan Novakovic

Novakovic is a former pro MMA fighter from Serbia with no wrestling experience.

Report: WWE expected to sign two European wrestlers following recent tryouts

Posted on by Ian Carey

WWE is said to be eyeing two European wrestlers who recently competed in All Japan Pro Wrestling’s Champion Carnival.

According to a report from Cultaholic, WWE is set to sign both Aigle Blanc and Mike D Vecchio, after they impressed company officials at a tryout earlier this year. Aidan Gibbons writes, “Sources close to the situation have told Cultaholic that WWE is signing Aigle Blanc and Mike D Vecchio. They are expected to start with the company by September 2025.”

Aigle Blanc and Mike D Vecchio

Blanc is a 26-year-old masked wrestler from France who has worked with top European promotions such as Westside Xtreme Wrestling (wXw) in Germany, Over The Top Wrestling (OTT) in Ireland, RevPro, Progress, and others. Most recently, he competed in the Champion Carnival, finishing with six points in his block.

Belgian wrestler Mike D Vecchio, 29, also took part in the Champion Carnival, finishing with eight points. He was in Las Vegas during WrestleMania Week this year, appearing at events such as Joey Janela’s Spring Break 9, the Mark Hitchcock Memorial Show, Demand Lucha, and Progress.

WWE held a set of tryouts in London on March 29, 2025, as the company was on a European tour leading into WrestleMania 41.