Tag: WWE ID

WWE ID talents pulled from upcoming indie show

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

Several WWE ID talents have been pulled away from Dreamwave Wrestling due to contractual obligations.

Independent wrestling promotion Dreamwave Wrestling is moving closer to its All Star Weekend event(s) on June 19th and June 20th.

Dreamwave Wrestling promotion recently shared an announcement on their social media that multiple WWE I.D. talents have been pulled from their upcoming All Star Weekend shows. Contractual obligations were revealed as the reason behind WWE ID talents getting pulled from the show.

Veronica Haven (Fallyn Grey), Sloane Jacobs (The Notorious Mimi), Anya Rune (Airica Demia), and Laynie Luck (WWE I.D. Women’s Champion) were some of the names pulled away from the shows. It was also announced that Aminah Belmont will no longer compete at the upcoming Dreamwave wrestling show due to injury.

“Due to a WWE contractual obligation that everyone was informed of today, the following talent will not be appearing at [All Star Weekend] on June 19th and 20th. Veronica Haven (Fallyn Grey), Sloane Jacobs (The Notorious Mimi), Anya Rune (Airica Demia), Laynie Luck,” the wrestling promotion’s official statement read. “Due to an injury, Aminah Belmont will not be competing at All Star Weekend. We wish her a speedy recovery! We apologize for the inconvenience, any matches already announced will be updated soon.”

Talent lineup announced for next WWE ID Showcase

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

The first talent roster for the next WWE ID Showcase at Cody Rhodes and QT Marshall’s Nightmare Factory has been confirmed.

The announcement made via X revealed the list of talents who will be featured for the June 26 presentation. 

“BREAKING…. The first talent roster is set for the next ID Showcase! Already confirmed for The Nightmare Factory presents The ID Showcase on June 26th are:

-WWE Evolve Champion Aaron Rourke

-WWE ID Men’s Champion Chazz “Starboy” Hall

-WWE ID Women’s Champion Laynie Luck

-WWE ID Player/Coach Timothy Thatcher

-Cappuccino Jones

-The Mog Squad of Max Abrams, CJ Valor, Santi Rivera and Jacari Ball

-Sloane Jacobs

-Sam Holloway

-It’s Gal

-Anya Rune

-Gianna Capri

-Veronica Haven

Plus more to be announced including talent from The Nightmare Factory!

Match announcements coming this week!” 

The WWE ID program was introduced in 2024. Its purpose is to help identify and support upcoming stars from the independent scene before signing full-time WWE contracts. 

The Nightmare Factory has served as one of the training facilities for WWE ID recruits since its launch.

WWE reportedly enforcing name changes for WWE ID talent

Posted on by Jake Skudder

WWE is reportedly making ID talent use their specific WWE-mandated names going forward. According to a new report from BodySlam, WWE ID talents will no longer be able to use their indie names on the circuit and will have to go by their WWE ID names for all upcoming appearances:

Sources have revealed to Bodyslam.net that Independent Wrestlers who have been signed by WWE for a WWE ID contract will no longer be able to use their indie names. Going forward they will have to use their WWE ID names for all upcoming appearances.

WWE ID Talent Name Changes

Current WWE ID talent and their WWE names (that they will reportedly have to be using going forward) are as follows:

  • Aricia Demia going by Anya Rune
  • Notorious Mimi going by Sloane Jacobs
  • Starboy Charlie going by Chazz Starboy Hall
  • Jariel Rivera going by Santi Rivera
  • Jimmy House going by CJ Valor
  • Mike Cunningham is now going by Max Abrams

We will try to get more on this today and over the weekend.

What is WWE ID?

WWE ID stands for WWE Independent Development, a developmental program WWE launched in October 2024 to scout and support promising independent wrestlers and give them a “clear” pathway toward a potential WWE contract.

It works in two ways. First, WWE designates a handful of prominent indie wrestling schools as official “WWE ID” schools, with the initial five being 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, N.H.) and KnokX Pro Academy (Los Angeles). Second, individual wrestlers get tagged as “WWE ID Prospects,” which comes with financial opportunity and assisting with training, mentorship and development, including access to WWE facilities, ring training, athletic trainers and more.

WWE ID signee details ‘bone-chilling’ elbow injury and recovery 

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

Jack Cartwheel recalled his GCW match which led to the elbow injury on April 17 in Las Vegas.

Speaking with Wrestling Pedigree, Cartwheel revisited the elbow injury at GCW Gringo Loco’s The Wrld. He recalled the series of events after a botched springboard phoenix splash off the top rope. 

“The thing that’s so interesting about what happened is if you watch it, you watch it in slow-mo, my right foot slips a little bit on the rope, and I come down at a little bit of an angle, which isn’t how you’re supposed to do it, but all things considered, it didn’t seem that bad of a landing as well until, yeah, it must have been. There just was too much force, too much pressure going down into that elbow that all of this kinetic energy was supposed to go down right onto Galeno Del Mal. It all came down on my elbow instead, and it was a very scary moment. I never thought I would look down at my elbow and see the imprints of a different part of my bone that was there.”

“I think that was the most bone-chilling part, is looking down and not seeing that point that you’re usually used to, this point wasn’t there that this point was over this way. So I was seeing the end of this arm over here. It was or this bone. Bone chilling stuff, but what I have to do as Jack Cartwheel is be ready to be upside down for a little bit that I might be upside down, but I’m going to start on my feet and I’m going to end on my feet. This might be just a hitch in the road and these wheels are still rolling.”

He suffered the injury during his match against Galeno del Mal on April 17 and is looking at significant time away from the ring.  

While mostly competing for GCW, AAA and other independent promotions, Cartwheel was signed to the WWE ID Program in 2024. 

New WWE ID signings announced

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

Four new WWE ID signings were announced on the latest episode of Evolve, using their recently trademarked WWE names.

Recently, the promotion revealed a new batch of WWE ID talents for the men’s roster, which included Starboy Charlie, now Chazz ‘Starboy’ Hall, who also made his debut on this week’s episode of WWE NXT. In addition to the male talents, a few women’s WWE ID talent signings were also reported, which have now been revealed.

On tonight’s WWE Evolve, Byron Saxton appeared in the ring with the four new WWE ID signings. They were officially introduced before a WWE Evolve Women’s Title match qualifier.

Valentina Rossi will now be wrestling as Gianna Capri, while the next was Sloane Jacobs. Jacobs was signed to WWE in 2022 but left the company when her contract expired in November 2022.

Fallyn Grey will now be wrestling as Veronica Haven, while Airica Demia revealed her new name as Anya Rune.

Shortly after, a three-way match took place between Jacobs, Rune, and Haven, with the winner, Jacobs, earning a spot in the Evolve Women’s Championship match.

New WWE ID signing announced

Posted on by Ian Carey

WWE has announced the latest signing to its WWE ID program.

On Friday, the WWE ID social media accounts posted a video showing Shawn Spears presenting Valentina Rossi with a contract.

Spears says in the video, “It has been five long years of effort, dedication, setbacks, and overcoming them, but I’m very happy to say that we spoke to the higher-ups at WWE. We spoke to Timothy Thatcher, and he sees what we see. He sees what we’ve known all along, and he is very proud to offer you a WWE ID contract.”

Rossi is originally from New Jersey but now lives in Orlando, where she trains at Flatbacks with Spears and Tyler Breeze.

She wrestled at the March 1 Ring of Honor TV tapings at WJCT Studios in Jacksonville, Florida. Prior to that, she faced Persephone at a Ring of Honor taping in November. Rossi also wrestled for the NWA last year, where she won the promotion’s women’s tag team titles alongside Tiffany Nieves. From 2021 to 2023, she also appeared on several episodes of AEW Dark.

“Couldn’t have done it without you. Couldn’t have done it without Flatbacks,” Rossi says in the video.

Latest WWE ID signings confirmed, new names revealed

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

Three new WWE ID signings made their debut on tonight’s episode of WWE Evolve on Tubi.

On the Wednesday, April 1 episode of Evolve, fans saw Chazz ‘Starboy’ Hall, CJ Valor, and Santi Rivera make their official Evolve debut.

Ahead of the episode, it was announced that new WWE ID prospects were set to debut in a three-way match, with the winner becoming the number one contender for Aaron Rourke’s Evolve title.

Later in the night, Hall picked up the victory over Valor and Rivera to become the new challenger for Rourke’s Championship.

The three debuts also showcased the name changes for the new WWE ID signings, as Starboy Charlie became Chazz ‘Starboy’ Hall, Jimmy House became CJ Valor, and Jariel Rivera was changed to Santi Rivera.

Earlier this month, Rourke became the new Evolve Champion and is now already set to face Hall with his title on the line. Although a confirmed date for the match has not yet been announced.

Elsewhere, Dorian Van Dux, formerly known as Mike D Vecchio, also made his Evolve debut tonight, in a victory against It’s Gal.

WWE ID contract awarded at Arizona Wrestling Federation show

Posted on by Ian Carey

Fallyn Grey is the latest wrestler to sign with the WWE ID program.

Grey was presented with a contract on Saturday at an Arizona Wrestling Federation show in Phoenix. WWE ID announced the news on Sunday, writing:

“BREAKING…. @fallyngrey was given a WWE ID contract last night at @prowrestlingaz in Phoenix, AZ! Congrats to Fallyn Grey on being ID’d!”

Grey posted to social media last month that she had recently attended a WWE tryout.

Grey, who refers to herself as “The Fallen Angel and Holy Queen of Indy Wrestling” on social media, is a 22-year-old, two-year pro who has trained with Future Stars of Wrestling out of Las Vegas and the Cobra Clutch Academy out of Arizona.

In addition to wrestling for Future Stars of Wrestling and Arizona Wrestling Federation, Grey has also performed for promotions such as Dreamwave, based out of Illinois, and NWA New Mexico.

Grey is the second wrestler to receive a WWE ID contract this weekend. Airica Demia was presented with one on Friday at a Palmetto Championship Wrestling show in South Carolina.

Airica Demia given new WWE ID contract

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

Independent wrestler Airica Demia has received her new WWE ID contract.

At the Palmetto Championship Wrestling in South Carolina, Airica Demia was awarded her WWE ID contract.

The 21-year-old indie wrestler recently took part in a WWE tryout at the Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. She also happens to be a second-generation wrestler.

She made her in-ring debut in 2023. Earlier this year, she faced Laynie Luck for the WWE ID Women’s Championship in January. Demia later competed in a six-way match for the vacant WWE ID Women’s Title at Wrestling Open RI in November, 2025.

Demia’s last wrestling match dates back to a loss against Hyena Hera on the March 6 edition of SHW 80 in Canton, Georgia. Demia’s WWE ID signing was previously reported and confirmed by Fightful Select.

In the past, several WWE ID wrestlers have appeared and wrestled on Evolve.

GCW wrestler wins men’s WWE ID Championship

Posted on by Vincent Verhei

Big news out of Rhode Island tonight: Starboy Charlie, one of the hottest names on the indy wrestling scene, has won the Men’s WWE ID Championship.

Charlie defeated Cappucino Jones at a Wrestling Open RI event in Cranston, Rhode Island, to win the belt. By winning the title, Charlie has also earned a WWE developmental contract. 

Charlie, a 23-year-old out of California, has wrestled most of his biggest matches for Game Changer Wrestling all over the United States, and also Pro Wrestling NOAH in Japan. He has spent the past few weeks on a tour with wXw in Germany. 

Jones, the inaugural Men’s WWE ID Champion, won the belt last August, defeating Jack Cartwheel at a GCW event in Rutherford, New Jersey. He defended the title nine times for seven promotions in seven different states (as well as Germany) before losing the belt to Charlie. 

Charlie was not the only new WWE signee at the event: Notorious Mimi, who previously wrestled for WWE NXT as Sloane Jacobs, was presented a contract as well. 

The WWE has announced both Charlie and Jacobs will be competing at The ID Showcase, presented by Future Stars of Wrestling, on Thursday, April 16, at the HyperX Arena in Las Vegas. Charlie will be defending his title against Marcus Mathers at that show, while Jacobs will be challenging Laynie Luck for the Women’s WWE ID Championship. Aaron Rourke will also be defending his WWE Evolve Championship at that show. Tickets are available here.

WWE scout Gabe Sapolsky praises ‘one of the most improved talents I’ve ever seen’

Posted on by Joseph Currier

WWE talent scout Gabe Sapolsky had high praise for indie wrestler Allie Katch after watching her compete this past weekend.

On Sunday, Katch was in action against WWE ID Women’s Champion Laynie Luck for Women’s Wrestling Revolution in Massachusetts. Sapolsky was at the show and called Katch vs. Luck one of the best indie bouts he’s seen since starting in his current role with WWE.

Sapolsky also noted that Katch is one of the most improved wrestlers he’s ever seen.

“Much respect to Allie Katch,” he tweeted. “Incredible WWE ID match vs. Laynie Luck at WWR yesterday. One of the most improved talents I’ve ever seen.”

The 32-year-old Katch is an indie mainstay and regularly competes for Game Changer Wrestling, where she suffered a setback in January 2025 when she broke her leg at the promotion’s Hammerstein Ballroom show. Katch ended up having to spend most of the year out of action following that injury.

Luck, who retained her WWE ID title in Sunday’s match, called on WWE to sign Katch to the program despite her loss.

Sapolsky, the former ROH booker who founded the original Evolve indie promotion, works for WWE as a domestic talent scout and creative consultant. He’s involved with the WWE ID program and weekly WWE Evolve show.

Indie wrestlers Notorious Mimi, Valentina Rossi, Fallyn Gray, and Airica Demia are the latest names to be signed to WWE ID deals.

Report: Multiple indie wrestlers signed to WWE ID deals

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

WWE has signed several new indie wrestlers to ID deals.

As per a recent Fightful Select report, WWE held an EVOLVE taping this past week, where several WWE ID talents were revealed.

According to the report, Notorious Mimi, using her old ring name Sloane Jacobs, was present at the taping, and it was also confirmed that she is one of the signings. A few years ago, at the WrestleMania 40 weekend in 2024, she beat Shazza McKenzie and also appeared on the Apple TV Monster Factory show.

Valentina Rossi was also confirmed to be at the taping using the name Gianna Capri. Rossi worked in AEW as an enhancement talent between June 2021 and March 2023. She worked multiple matches as both Rossi and Mafiosa. In addition to that, she also appeared on the March 1 episode of ROH on HonorClub.

Fallyn Gray has also been signed to a WWE ID deal and will be using the name Veronica Haven. According to BodySlam+, Airica Demia has also signed with WWE ID and will be using the Anya Rune. Demia is a second-generation wrestler who has already competed for the WWE ID Women’s Title twice.

All of the above-named wrestlers appeared during the WWE tryouts in February.

New indie prospect joins WWE ID program

Posted on by Bryan Rose

A new prospect has joined the WWE ID program.

It was announced on social media that Jimmy House was given a WWE ID contract by coach Timothy Thatcher during a Rhodes Wrestling event.

“BREAKING….@coachjimmyhouse was just given a WWE ID contract by WWE ID Player/Coach Timothy Thatcher at @RhodesWrestling! Congrats and welcome, Jimmy House!,” WWE ID wrote.

On X, House describes himself as a strength coach, a BJJ black belt, pro wrestler, powerlifter, and bodybuilder. He has competed for Reality of Wrestling, RCW, RWA, and Future Stars of Wrestling. He also recently competed on an episode of ROH that aired back in November, losing to The Dark Order as part of a trios squash match.

The Rhodes Wrestling Academy was established in 2020 and is currently headed by Dustin Rhodes, who is out of action after undergoing double knee surgery back in the summer of last year. In a recent interview, he told Fox News Digital that he hopes to be back on AEW television in the next two to three weeks.

WWE announces new member of its ID program

Posted on by Ian Carey

23-year-old Jariel Rivera is the latest wrestler to be awarded a WWE ID contract.

The official WWE ID Twitter account posted on Saturday, February 28, 2026, that Rivera had earned an ID contract.

WWE wrote:

“BREAKING…. @theJarielRivera has earned a WWE ID contract! Rivera was ID’d tonight at @ChaoticWrestlin Rivera was also scouted at @WrestlingOpen Congrats to Jariel Rivera as he begins his journey as a WWE ID prospect!”

Rivera was presented with the contract at a Chaotic Wrestling event in Watertown, Massachusetts on Friday, February 27. He wrestled Tony “The Big Cheese” Navarro on that show, with the stipulation that the winner would be awarded a WWE ID contract.

Rivera also revealed on social media that he had participated in a WWE tryout earlier this year. He did not specify which tryout he attended.

Rivera posted to social media following the announcement:

“-OFFICIALLY WWE ID’d- •September 2024: Cleared and returned to in-ring action in Watertown after shattering my knee and was sidelined 2025: Rebuild Mode Jan/Feb 2026: Participated in a WWE Tryout and earned a WWE ID Contract in Watertown”

New WWE Women’s ID Champion crowned

Posted on by Vincent Verhei

The newest member of WWE’s ID program has been named, and they are already champion.

Independent wrestler Laynie Luck won the WWE ID Women’s championship at a Wrestling Open event in Cranston, Rhode Island on Monday, winning a six-way elimination match to crown a new champion. The title had been declared vacant after former champion Kylie Rae announced her pregnancy in September. (Rae’s contract expired in October and was not renewed.) 

With her win, Luck has not only become champion, but is also now signed to a WWE ID contract.

Luck had to win two six-way elimination matches to win the title. First she defeated Angelica Risk, Jordan Blade, Kaitlyn Marie, Nixi XS, and Lili Ruiz. That qualified her for the championship match, where she went on to defeat Brittnie Brooks, Notorious Mimi, Shannon Levangie, Tiara James, and Airica Demia.

Per Cagematch, Luck is 33 years old and hails from Kansas City, Missouri. She has been wrestling for 10 years, with most of her matches in 2025 taking place around the Chicago area. 

The WWE Men’s and Women’s ID Championship titles were introduced in February of this year as a means for independent wrestlers to join the WWE. The titles are defended exclusively at independent wrestling shows. Anyone who wins the championship is immediately granted a WWE ID contract. The men’s championship is currently held by Cappucino Jones, who defeated Jack Cartwheel in the finals of a tournament on August 1.