sek69 Posted November 18 Report Share Posted November 18 So WWE announced their WWE ID program where they partner with wrestling schools of WWE related folks (like Cody's, Seth's and Booker's) to develop and mentor prospects on the indy scene they see something in. In addition they will give them a stipend for their prospects to be able to live on so they can focus more time on development. According to them, they want to raise the profile of top indy names and strengthen the whole "independent wrestling ecosystem" as they call it. On paper this all sounds good, WWE gets a pipleline of talent and it will help at least some folks on the indies make ends meet while trying to better their craft. In the Vince days, this 100% would be a plot to raid all the top indy groups and put them out of business. Hunter seems to be more aware that it's in the best interests of pro wrestling as a whole to have a relatively healthy independent scene so more people can have experience working live crowds (and even working for TV crowds if they are working for a group that has a Triller TV deal). Even for their own business needs, it's smart for WWE to have guys go through wrestling schools they can vouch for and just keep NXT a finishing school to give folks that last bit of polish before going to the big time. Could it still end up being a plot to strip mine the indy scene? Sure. At least in this era I can at least see a possibility that it is actually meant to do what they say it will and be a net benefit all around. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sek69 Posted November 22 Author Report Share Posted November 22 So the newest prospect was announced as Kylie Rae. Happy for her to get the opportunity, but I still don't know if her mental health can handle being part of a major promotion Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tenese Sarwieh Posted November 23 Report Share Posted November 23 I see this as yet another tactic by WWE to stockpile talent, especially given that the Performance Center has been a failure. What’s puzzling, though, is that none of these signings seem to come from the schools WWE is affiliated with. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
El-P Posted November 25 Report Share Posted November 25 On 11/23/2024 at 11:44 PM, Tenese Sarwieh said: I see this as yet another tactic by WWE to stockpile talent It's 100% this and drying up the access to indie talent to other promotions (as in : AEW). I mean, Kylie Ray ? She's not an upcoming young prospect. She's a 32 years old veteran who is already better than 90% of the NXT roster and probably quite a bit of the main roster division as well. If they don't trust her because of her past issue, why even bother ? But since she's been on MLP shows alongside some AEW people, she's back under everyone's radar (would she even go back to AEW though if she had a bad experience there ?), so there you go. If they want her, they could sign her tomorrow. Even as a coach, while letting her work indies, since they are so "indies-friendly" now. It's a brillant move though, just like the TNA partnership, which has totally mindfucked the TNA fanbase. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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