Bryan Alvarez is reporting that there are at least two other tryout events taking place this year.
“WWE tryouts coming up are Minneapolis for SummerSlam week, and South America in September,” he writes. The company held tryouts earlier this year in Orlando that included the likes of Marie Malenko, who signed with the company.
Back in April, WWE invited a slew of European talent for a tryout event. The exact date of this tryout isn’t known, but WWE is in Europe for a tour that lasts through next Monday’s Raw, which will take place in Paris, France. Other destinations include Libson, Madrid, Bologna, Rome, and Florence.
Notable names invited to the tryout include Leon Cage, Maddy Morgan, Daz Black, Madison Marley, Peter Tihanyi, and Kuro.
WWE developmental currently in a rebuilding period
WWE is looking to bolster their developmental ranks after calling up several wrestlers post-WrestleMania 42. WWE called up the likes of Ricky Saints, Ethan Page, Oba Femi, Trick Williams, Jordynne Grace, Blake Monroe, and Fatal Influence to the main roster, leaving NXT to refocus on building talent.
Some names that have been featured on NXT television include Mason Rook, Kam Hendrix, Lizzie Rain, and Naraku, the former EVIL.
Several wrestlers have posted to social media that they have been invited to upcoming WWE tryouts.
19-year-old Leon Cage of Wales posted on Thursday that he had received a tryout offer. Cage wrestles for RevPro, and his most recent match came this past weekend at Epic Encounter 2026, where he teamed with Tommy Vril, who has also announced that he will be part of the upcoming UK tryouts. Vril has worked primarily within the UK independent scene, including appearances for RevPro.
English wrestler Maddy Morgan also posted to social media that she has been invited to a tryout. Morgan recently took part in a month-long tour of Japan with Marigold. She has wrestled for promotions including PROGRESS and wXw as well.
English wrestler Daz Black also posted to social media that he has been invited to the tryouts. Black has been a pro since 2016 and has wrestled across the UK scene, including for promotions such as RevPro and ICW.
Danish wrestler Madison Marley has also been invited to the tryouts. Marley has wrestled internationally, including for wXw in Germany and promotions such as BodySlam Pro Wrestling in Denmark.
Hungarian wrestler Peter Tihanyi has also been invited to the tryouts. The 26-year-old is a two-time wXw Unified World Wrestling Champion.
French wrestler and current APC champion Kuro is also set for the tryouts. Italian wrestler Renzo Rose, who frequently performs for OTT in Ireland, also posted that he has been invited to the tryouts. Scottish wrestler Angel Hayze, who is also coming off a recent month-long tour with Marigold, is set for the tryouts as well.
While it’s not clear when these tryouts are taking place, WWE has several European dates booked between May 28 to June 8, including Clash in Italy on May 31.
ITS OFFICIAL 🤩‼️
Incredibly grateful and so excited to be able to announce I’ve been invited by @WWE to their upcoming tryout 🥹
Endless thanks to everyone who’s supported me along the way, I couldn’t have done it without you all💫
Nikki Blackheart discussed her WWE tryout during a recent interview.
The former CCW (Coastal Championship Wrestling) Champion spoke with O’Shea Jackson Jr. & TJ Jefferson on the No Contest Wrestling Podcast. She talked about the tryout, which was made public via her Instagram a few weeks ago, and how her participation in Bayley’s Lodestone Wrestling Seminar in December 2025 helped prepare her.
Blackheart said:
“Well the rumors are true. It’s a lot of work. Yes, you have to be ready for it. You have to be ready for it. And I will say I had 3 weeks to really prepare, but honestly because I was just in that mindset already, especially after Lodestone, like I saw how intensely we went. I mean, we were there for hours. We ended up, you know, the first day we were there with Ivy (Nile) and her husband and they ran us through a CrossFit workout and then, you know, we just changed and got in the ring right after that for hours.
And that hard work is a little glimpse of what to expect, not only in the tryout, but the training that you would get, you know, when you’re preparing to be in the PC. So, after seeing that, I was just like, “Okay, you know, there’s a lot more that I should be doing and could be doing.” revealed Blackheart.
“So, if I’m being honest, I just started really preparing from there but truly getting in the ring and doing that type of cardio probably 3 weeks in advance. But, yeah, it’s a lot of cardio. There’s a lot of in-ring cardio. Promos, I mean, your promos have to be on point, too. And then for people that were experienced, cuz they divided us into two sections.
So, there’s the independent talent that have experience in wrestling, and then we had athletes that never stepped in the ring before. So we got, you know, separated into groups. The ones that had experience, we did practice matches. and then, you know, the athletes were learning their roles, their bumps, and all that good stuff.”
Blackheart emphasized how her growth over the past year enabled her to put her best foot forward for the tryout. Had it been done earlier, she probably would not have been ready.
“So, I will say the biggest thing is just again, be ready cuz if you get that call and let’s say they’re like, “Oh yeah, you, you know, you get to try out next week.” A week is not enough time to get that, you know, cardio going. I don’t think three weeks but because I had already been in that mindset and working towards it, it wasn’t very difficult.
Yes. But I was still hanging. So that made me feel really good because if you would have asked me this like last year, I don’t know how, you know, we would have been huffing and puffing a little bit more last year.”
Blackheart made her wrestling debut in 2024 and was trained by WWE alum Gangrel at the CCW training center.
Malenko was one of the many indie wrestlers to take part in this week’s tryouts at the Performance Center in Orlando, first reported by Fightful on Friday.
Malenko is the daughter of Dean Malenko, who won multiple championships in ECW, WCW, and WWE. She is also the granddaughter of Boris Malenko, making her a third-generation wrestler, and the niece of Joe Malenko. Dean is currently in a backstage role with AEW.
Former Ring of Honor star Erick Stevens posted recently that he had trained with Malenko and feels that with more experience, “she could become one of the best technical wrestlers in the country.”
Other wrestlers that were reported as attending the tryouts were Miranda Alize, Notorious Mimi, Zoe Sager, Promise Braxton, Ricky South, Valentina Rossi, Fallyn Grey, Nikki Blackheart, The Tuckman, Scott Green, and others.
Several wrestlers have announced that they were recently invited to attend a WWE tryout.
The tryouts are expected to take place next week in Orlando.
Among those to reveal they were issued an invite was The Notorious Mimi, formerly known as Sloane Jacobs in NXT. Mimi signed with WWE in late 2021 but was part of roster cuts in November 2022.
“i’m so excited to show everyone how much i’ve grown since the last time you all saw me on tv,” she wrote on X.
Australian wrestler Ricky South also revealed on social media that he has received an invite. South is a nine-year professional who was originally trained at the PWA Academy by Robbie Eagles and Madison Eagles. He has also worked NJPW Tamashii shows in Australia.
“The song remains the same. Set the example,” South wrote on X.
Nikki Blackheart has also announced on social media that she has been invited to try out. She was trained by Gangrel and is a regular for his Coastal Championship Wrestling promotion in Florida.
“The biggest pinch me moment I was officially invited to the @wwe try out. My heart is overflowing with gratitude for all the moments experienced, all the people that have helped me in my journey, my coach, my loved ones, my classmates, all the promoters that took a chance on me, my lodestone girls, and all my supporters that believed in me from day one. I have so much more to say, but for now all I can say is THANK YOU !! And I’m ready to earn my place @wwerecruit”
Airica Demia announced on her social media that she’s been invited to tryout:
“Time to make my dreams become a reality! This is all I have ever wanted since I stepped foot in a wrestling ring at the age of 14. Now at 21 years old…this anime girl is ready for the opportunity of a life time.”
Promise Braxton also revealed she’s been invited to tryout. She is a regular with Booker T’s Reality of Wrestling promotion in Texas.
Valentina Rossi, formerly Adriana Gambino in WOW Women of Wrestling and currently with the NWA, wrote:
“Cats out of the bag!! Words cannot describe how grateful and excited I am for this opportunity after getting injured right after my last tryout and having to start back at zero, to having the craziest year of my life, I’m ready”
The biggest pinch me moment 🖤 I was officially invited to the @wwe try out.
My heart is overflowing with gratitude for all the moments experienced, all the people that have helped me in my journey, my coach, my loved ones, my classmates, all the promoters that took a chance on… pic.twitter.com/3SuVDSN2Pa
This is all I have ever wanted since I stepped foot in a wrestling ring at the age of 14. Now at 21 years old…this anime girl is ready for the opportunity of a life time. 🥹@WWERecruit Notice Me. 👉👈 pic.twitter.com/ecMb5Rwlwf
Cats out of the bag!! Words cannot describe how grateful and excited I am for this opportunity 🥹🙏🏼💕 after getting injured right after my last tryout and having to start back at zero, to having the craziest year of my life, I’m ready 💪🏼 @wwerecruitpic.twitter.com/PtUm4NKQ4j
Earlier today we reported on social media star Sallie Grace, who says she had to drop out of a WWE tryout after suffering a concussion. Later, she went into more detail about what happened, and said she was not the only one to suffer an injury.
“I had to take the ‘L’ on that one and step out to protect my noggin,” she said in a post on Instagram. “But it was just crazy. Everyone’s getting concussed left and right. And they’re saying that there’s going to be more happening. I’m obviously facing repercussions right now.”
In another post, Grace repeated that she was injured when someone lost control of a rope they were swinging during an improv drill. “Because everyone’s so up on each other, nobody was spread out and playing it safe,” she said. “Everyone was too busy trying to impress.
“People are getting injured. One girl got kicked in the head.”
Grace explained that she knew something was wrong during a training session. “I had to stop running bump session because my brain … something wasn’t right,” she said. “And they kept telling me to do it harder and harder.”
At that point, Grace says, she shook her coach’s hand and told him she could not ruin her brain, that something was not right in her head, and she left.
An update is available regarding the future of WWE’s tryouts.
WWE tryouts are taking place this week with several independent wrestlers attending. It’s the first time the company has held tryouts with independent wrestlers invited since 2022. However, our own Bryan Alvarez reports that the company plans to continue scouting indie wrestlers and more tryouts are expected to take place throughout the year.
“We are told that WWE will be holding significantly more tryouts this year, and like this most recent set they are back to looking for in-shape indie talent who can work and cut good promos.”
The list of athletes attending this week’s tryouts in Orlando is below.
Men:
Starboy Charlie (independent wrestler who has worked for GCW)
Leon Lokombo (independent wrestler)
Jack Pasquale (independent wrestler)
Manny Lo (independent wrestler)
Jeremiah Lakhwani (social media influencer from Bali who competed on Netflix reality series Physical: Asia)
Blade Brown (independent wrestler)
Ben Finneseth (college football)
Jariel Rivera (independent wrestler)
Bhupinder Gujjar (independent wrestler that has previously worked for TNA)
Tyler Jordan (independent wrestler)
James Karnik (Canadian basketball player)
Manny House (independent wrestler)
Bruss Hamilton (independent wrestler who also won the 2025 America’s Strongest Marine competition)
Wrestling Observer Live with Bryan Alvarez and Filthy Tom Lawlor is back with tons to talk about including new signings in both TNA and NXT, the NXT TV report, the WOL Year-End Awards and how you can vote, a bad week for ratings, WWE’s latest tryout and what was much different this time, WWE 2K26, and tons more! A fun show as always so check it out~!
The full list of people trying out this week for WWE is now out.
The company is holding tryouts this week in Orlando. Many of those attending have a background on the independent scene, though a few also come from sports and social media. Here is the full list reported by Bryan Alvarez:
Men:
Starboy Charlie (independent wrestler who has worked for GCW)
Leon Lokombo (independent wrestler)
Jack Pasquale (independent wrestler)
Manny Lo (independent wrestler)
Jeremiah Lakhwani (social media influencer from Bali who competed on Netflix reality series Physical: Asia)
Blade Brown (independent wrestler)
Ben Finneseth (college football)
Jariel Rivera (independent wrestler)
Bhupinder Gujjar (independent wrestler that has previously worked for TNA)
Tyler Jordan (independent wrestler)
James Karnik (Canadian basketball player)
Manny House (independent wrestler)
Bruss Hamilton (independent wrestler who also won the 2025 America’s Strongest Marine competition)
The last tryouts heavily featuring independent talent took placeback in 2022. WWE’s tryouts during SummerSlam weekend featured independent talent such as LJ Cleary and Ben Bishop.
Three more names have been confirmed for WWE’s upcoming tryouts.
WWE is holding tryouts in Orlando this week. Previously reported as attending are MMA fighter Regina Tarin, basketball player James Karnik, and strongman competitor Joshua Hillen.
Nor “Phoenix” Diana confirmed on social media that she has been invited to the tryouts. The 26-year-old from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia dropped the APAC Women’s title to Mercedes Moné at a House of Glory show in November and also attended Bayley’s Lodestone training camp last month.
Diana wrote:
“I’m grateful for the people who helped shape this journey, especially my coach @TheShaukat @apacwrestling, and the experience I gained at #LodestoneWrestling. I trust the work I’ve put in and the process that got me here. Ready to give everything and earn my place. @wwerecruit“
Bayley responded to Diana’s post, “We believe in you!”
Natalya did as well, writing, “I hope it goes amazing for you”
Bhupinder Gujjar, formerly of TNA Wrestling and currently with Maple Leaf Pro, also confirmed on social media that he has been invited to the tryouts.
“New Year, New opportunity,” Gujjar wrote on X.
MLP founder Scott D’Amore wrote of Gujjar:
“I met Bhupinder within days of him moving to Canada. He is a class act and a quality person who contributed in @bcwonline, @ThisIsTNA, @MapleLeafPW, and every locker room he’s been in. If @WWE gives him a chance, he will be a valuable member of @WWENXT, @WWNEVOLVE, or wherever he lands.”
In 2022, Gujjar was voted TNA’s “One to Watch in 2023.” His contract expired at the end of 2024 and he did not return to the company after. He finished up at the tapings in Detroit on October 27, 2024. He teamed with Jack Price in a loss to Jake Something and Alex Hammerstone in his final match.
Independent wrestler Starboy Charlie also confirmed on his social media that he’s been invited to the tryouts.
Charlie has wrestled for promotions such as GCW, DEFY and Pro Wrestling NOAH. Along with Jack Banning and Titus Alexander, he lost to The Opps at the March 5, 2025 AEW Collision tapings in Sacramento.
Following the transition of several top NXT names, such as Trick Williams, Jordynne Grace, Je’Evon Evans, and possibly Oba Femi & Blake Monroe, WWE will now look to fill those gaps with recruits from Evolve and other streams via the WWE Tryouts. As previously reported by Bryan Alvarez, WWE is finally set to host its tryouts in the coming week, with Fightful Select providing a detailed update on the scheduled participants.
Set to start from this upcoming week, Fightful Select noted that some interesting indie names have been planned for the tryouts. Fightful Select has confirmed indie wrestler Bruss Hamilton to be part of the tryouts. Airica Demia was also set for a tryout but was later informed that she was in Florida to train at the Dungeon 2.0 and wrestle at a showcase event. Fightful Select has also yet to provide an update on Notorious Mimi’s status for the tryouts. Both wrestlers were at Nattie Neidhart and TJ Wilson’s Dungeon 2.0, this past week.
According to a report by both PWInsider and Fightful Select, former United States Marine and Strongman Joshua Hillen, alongside 27-year-old basketball player James Karnik, and MMA fighter Regina Tarin, are all set for the tryouts.
Hillen, 5’7″, recently won America’s Strongest Veteran in Las Vegas in October. He also stood first in the Trump Weights Axle Clean and Press, the Keg Carry Over Bar, and the Sandbag Throw events. Karnik was recently seen averaging 12 points and 7 rebounds per game in Eurocup, whereas Tarin is a Mexican MMA fighter and holds a pro-record of 7-0-0.
Bryan Alvarez is reporting that WWE will hold their next tryout session next week in Orlando. This will be first known tryouts WWE has held since SummerSlam weekend in New Jersey last summer.
WWE Recruit’s Instagram page that week named Rayne Leverkusen as the MVP of the tryouts, which would mark the first time WWE has named an MVP. Other names who attended include Ben Bishop, Goldenboy Santos, Omari, CBL, and influencer Meghan Walker.
Also notable among the names trying out was Zoe Hines, the niece of actress Cheryl Hines who is married to US Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
The company is embarking on a European tour starting on January 8 and continuing with this coming Friday’s SmackDown in Berlin, Germany. Cody Rhodes will defend the WWE Championship against Drew McIntyre in a Three Stages of Hell match. Meanwhile, next week’s Raw will be in Dusseldorf, Germany. A match between AJ Styles and Gunther was made for that show on Monday after Styles, hearing enough of Gunther’s disrespect after defeating John Cena last month, slapped The Ring General.
WWE Recruit’s Instagram page has pictures of this week’s attendees, though did not name any of them. Some familiar faces include LJ Cleary, the fiance of Lyra Valkyria who has also done work in Pro Wrestling NOAH, as well as Ben Bishop, who has made appearances as an enhancement talent in AEW.
Other names, Fightful Select has reported, include Goldenboy Santos and Rayne Leverkusen, who were at WWE’s tryouts in London earlier this year. Omari, CBL, influencer Meghan Walker, Zoe Sager, Mike Cunningham, Anita Vaughn, Will Kroos, Aeduen Beauge (a D1 wrestler), CJ Felder, Ellen Viking, and Ariana Milian are also names being reported.
It was reported earlier this year that two prospects were signed at the London tryouts, Aigle Blanc and Mike D Vecchio. Both participated in this year’s AJPW Championship Carnival. Vecchio was also in Las Vegas during WrestleMania weekend and wrestled on independent shows in the area. They are expected to report to the WWE PC in September.
The tryouts in New Jersey are set to take place this Thursday as part of SummerSlam weekend festivities. Fans can purchase VIP and general admission tickets to the event here.
Former MLW star Richard Holliday is among the independent names attending the latest WWE tryouts.
The tryouts are taking place this week in Orlando, Florida at the WWE Performance Center. Brogan Finlay was announced by PWInsider, but Bodyslam.net reported the other names:
Richard Holliday – Former MLW Tag Team Champion with MJF who recently made his return to pro wrestling after battling stage 4 Hodgkin’s lymphoma.
Madi Wrenkowski – Has been featured as part of the NWA and has wrestled for ROH, MCW, Mission Pro Wrestling, and WWN.
Copeland Barbee – collegiate wrestler at Queens University of Charlotte.
David Goldy – A Monster Factory trainee, he has competed on AEW Dark and most recently participated in the NJPW All Star Junior Festival 2023, where he defeated Vinny Pacifico.
Jay Malachi – Has made appearances on AEW television and has wrestled for the likes of Firestar Pro Wrestling, PWF, and Deadlock Pro.
Brogan Finlay – Son of Fit Finlay and brother of David Finlay
Jamie Stanley – Has teamed up with Joe Alonzo in the NWA, where they are known as America’s Ego. Has also worked as a referee.
Ray Jaz- Has worked in MLW and has also recently wrestled for Beyond Wrestling
Hollyhood Haley J – Part of the OVW ‘Wrestlers’ reality show on Netflix
Kelsey Heather – A WOW wrestler and has also wrestled on AEW television
Valentina Rossi – Has wrestled in WOW, AEW (where she has made appearances on Dark), WWE, and NXT.
Jazmin Allure – Has worked for AEW and made an appearance on WWE television earlier this year, losing to Lacey Evans on SmackDown.
Damaris Largo
WWE last held tryouts back during SummerSlam weekend:
ESPN reported on Monday that 26 women and 24 men will be included in this week’s tryout. Notable names include former Clemson quarterback Kelly Bryant and former Baylor basketball player Mark Vital, who later transitioned to football and played for the Seattle Seahawks and Kansas City Chiefs practice squads.
Other college football names listed in the article include Caleb Kelly, an ex-Oklahoma linebacker, Oregon State linebacker Kyrei Fisher-Morris, Utah offensive lineman Bamidele Olaseni, and former Kansas and Ohio State offensive lineman Kevin Feder. Reggie Jagers, a 2020 Olympian in discus, and Darrell Mason, a Division II national champion wrestler at Minnesota State, are also trying out.
Additionally, former Baylor track star Morgan Stewart and All-Mountain West track honorees Breanna Covington (Fresno State) and Kasey Ebb (San Diego State) are listed among the women trying out.
According to ESPN’s report, this week’s tryouts will have representatives across 37 schools and 13 different sports, including amateur wrestling, basketball, powerlifting, track & field, and cheer.
