N/A
WWE's new development program sparked conversations online this week as fans and insiders questioned what this could mean for the future of independent wrestling.
On Oct. 29, the company unveiled WWE ID, a new initiative that would provide up-and-comers with a path to join the global juggernaut. It's the latest advancement in talent development following the introduction of the NIL program in 2021.
As a result, the company has partnered with Booker T's Reality of Wrestling, Cody Rhodes' Nightmare Factory, Seth Rollins' Black and Brave Academy, Elite Pro Wrestling Training Center, and Rikishi's KnokX Pro Academy.
Details about the inner workings of the new project are scarce, but this announcement prompted drastically different perspectives from wrestlers and onlookers. Still, it's unclear how the WWE ID tag and contract status will affect the indie scene yet, and many want to see how this plays out.
There was plenty to glean from the news as NXT begins its maiden year on The CW Network, and we analyze the 2.0 era. Although the brand has created breakout stars with collegiate athletes, the roster needs a balance of both amateurs and experienced in-ring performers.
Nevertheless, it could also raise questions about the overall success of the NIL program and what this would mean for the Performance Center. There's so much we don't know, but this new pathway to superstardom already has pros and cons.
Pro: WWE ID Offers Independent Wrestlers A Chance to Better Themselves
Let's start with a positive. WWE ID potentially grants indie wrestlers another source of income, exposure, and assistance with their training.
The industry's growing talent pool means it can be harder than ever to stand out in a field full of exceptional performers. Even more, it's difficult for everyone to make a respectable living in the scene without a day job.
That's obviously why most freelancers work towards eventually signing a contract with a major company like WWE or AEW. Over the past decade, some outliers proved that you can create a lucrative brand on your own via the internet.
Nevertheless, many independent stars struggle until they can make it to the big leagues. If this new developmental program helps alleviate their financial burdens while they train, it's an advantageous move for most budding talent.
Con: WWE ID Will Steer Prospects Away From Competitors
The biggest question about this developmental program and accompanying designation is how it will affect promotions that don't have a relationship with WWE.
Most skeptics would immediately point to the company's track record since Vince McMahon dismantled the territories. The old regime's penchant for poaching smaller promotions' top stars and eventually running them out of business was integral to WWE's growth into the undisputed industry leader.
Those questionable business practices would logically lead anyone with a knowledge of pro wrestling history to challenge its intentions. Despite the favorable benefits of WWE ID, many critics see this as a strategic way to hinder its chief competitor.
In 2019, the thriving U.S. indie circuit created a pipeline for what would become All Elite Wrestling. Ever since AEW has become a plausible alternative for fans and wrestlers, and the free-agent market has been much more active.
WWE's latest announcement could entice more independent performers to gamble on a chance to perform on the biggest stage instead of signing a tiered contract with AEW. This would shift the arms race and the prevailing perception between the two companies and allow one side to corner the market.
Yes, WWE had to improve its image after the move to stop signing indie wrestlers in 2021, but there's a slippery slope here. This program could hypothetically stop designated talent from working with the competition or force them to cancel scheduled appearances.
Brandon Thurston of Post Wrestling reported there are currently no restrictions on where contracted indie talent can appear, or whether they can lose matches. However, he couldn't get a definitive answer on whether indie wrestlers under contract with WWE could appear for AEW.
There is no incentive to allow a top prospect to work with a competitor, but a contracted wrestler would likely avoid it even if it isn't explicitly stated. Most wouldn't want to risk their chances of getting signed in the long run.
Pro: WWE ID Gives A Newcomers Tangible Goals
An accredited program with wrestling schools nationwide gives the trainees an idea of what WWE is looking for and what's working.
Of course, nothing is guaranteed in pro wrestling, but this theoretically removes one of the hurdles for incoming talent. So many indie wrestlers signed with the company and had to change their name and gimmick or unlearn bad habits.
Hopefully, WWE ID would help them catch these mistakes early and work on a character and move set that fits the house style. Exposure to the company's fanbase through highlights and matches showcased across WWE's social platforms also offers a nice head start.
If the fans respond well to someone online, WWE and the wrestlers will know they have something that connects with their audience. That's much better than a stab in the dark for someone hoping to appear on scouting reports.
This may not be an ideal route for everyone, but it could be extremely beneficial for someone who has always dreamed about working for WWE. The opportunity to build working relationships, create a gimmick that tests well, and use the company's resources would be invaluable.
Con: WWE ID Could Harm An Ailing Indie Wrestling Scene
Independent wrestling isn't nearly as lively and multifaceted as it was five years ago, and WWE ID could exacerbate its problems.
The inception of AEW has undeniably had some adverse effects on the scene and the pandemic forced some promotions to close their doors for good. Still, the possibility that top prospects could start canceling bookings or losing opportunities is worrying.
After all, NXT UK was one of the factors that set the British wrestling scene back for a while. It's an exaggeration to say this could lead to the end of indie wrestling in the U.S.
Still, it could potentially make it harder for some small promotions to stay in business or simply book the hottest talent because another promotion in the same area linked to WWE will have an advantage.
The wrestling business has survived many changes and will likely evolve again with the addition of WWE ID. It's easy to predict gloom and doom in these situations.
In fact, the cons are speculative because there's still so much we don't know about this program.
It's the first of its kind and a step out of the outdated mold McMahon created. However, his vision for pro wrestling has understandably left many wondering if we should trust this initiative and the current regime. Time will tell.
Who would've guessed that The New Day would be a part of one of the most intriguing stories on Monday nights at the start of 2024?
It shouldn't come as that much of a surprise because the trio joined forces on the Nov. 28, 2014 episode of SmackDown and turned a gimmick that never should've worked into a golden goose. Every time we've doubted them, they've miraculously produced comedy gold and added another achievement to their impressive list of accolades.
That's the beauty of pro wrestling. Sometimes, a throwaway segment or the slightest reaction can organically create an opportunity to win the crowd over, and that's what they represent.
The New Day has cemented their legacy as a generational tag team and one of the greatest stables of all time. However, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Wood have struggled to remain relevant since Big E's grisly injury in 2022.
Their brief jump to NXT was a fun side quest because they desperately needed new opponents and a change of direction. Still, becoming the third triple-crown champions wasn't enough to silence detractors again and shift their fortunes.
The once-popular act had grown stagnant, and many fans wondered if it had finally run its course. Nevertheless, their latest conflict is uncharted territory for The Purveyors of Positivity.
Their unmatched chemistry and unbreakable bond have always been their most endearing attribute, but years of bad luck and missed opportunities have left them uncharacteristically adrift. The ensuing tension between Kingston and Woods has arguably produced the most compelling storyline on WWE Raw.
Cracks in the Foundation
Vince McMahon reportedly tried to split the group for years, but their onscreen friendship persevered. According to Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful, the former chairman and CEO even pitched an angle where Woods would turn on his longtime partner after he achieved his dream of winning The King of the Ring tournament in 2021.
The fact that the stable has lasted this long is truly a testament to their commitment to deconstructing wrestling tropes and creating new norms for Black wrestlers. After all, The New Day prioritized loyalty and positivity in a cutthroat industry and challenged many antiquated stereotypes.
Their values and selfless dedication to uplifting each other make them special because most well-known teams have broken up to pursue personal gain. It's hard to imagine they could ever let greed or ambition drive a wedge between them when Kingston's WWE Championship win united them.
Enter Karrion Kross. In May, the leader of The Final Testament invited Woods to join him and get out of his partner's shadow. Eventually, his words hit the mark, and frustration and insecurities rose to the surface.
Miscommunications turned into arguments between the two as couldn't agree on the best route forward. While Kingston fights to preserve their image and rapport, Woods has veered in the opposite direction, hoping to prove his worth to his more accomplished stablemates.
This disconnect is even apparent in their choice of ring gear. The New Day routinely wore matching gear, but they're currently out of sync. The eldest member is symbolically sporting a look inspired by DC Comics' Green Lantern, but his partner's is seemingly an homage to the Black Lanterns from Geoff Johns' 2009 crossover "Blackest Night."
More to the point, this is an excellent metaphor for Kingston's trademark tenacity and Woods' current despair. The Green Lantern Corps' strength comes from their indomitable willpower, but the Black Lanterns are powered by insatiable emptiness.
It's surreal to think the man who initially brought the trio together could turn heel and betray one of his best friends. Nevertheless, it has been a plausible threat to their legacy as the duo approaches their 10-year anniversary next month.
Champion Gold or Bust
On the latest episode of Raw, The New Day advanced to the next round in the WWE World Tag Team Title No. 1 Contendership Tournament. In the process, Woods showed more signs that he's willing to break bad to win.
Longtime fans may remember that this fits his established character because he originally convinced E and Kingston that they didn't need to be respectable to win when he formed the group. As the trio's mouthpiece, the 38-year-old also didn't pin an opponent as a part of the winning tandem until their third tag title victory on July 23, 2017.
His stablemates had already enjoyed success as singles competitors and Kingston was already a tag team specialist in his own right. The Freebird Rule meant they were all recognized as champions, but this set the precedent that the Atlanta native didn't earn a decisive win until well into their run together.
As the only member who has won a world championship, his potential regrets and insecurities drove his need to secure the Intercontinental title. On the surface, that makes him seem selfish, but this is a nuanced story we don't often see in pro wrestling.
It would be inaccurate to say he put his dreams in the background for the group because his friends inspired him to attain them together. Woods was there for their career highlights, but his singles title win never came and one has to wonder how much time they realistically have left as a stable.
E's neck injury tragically cut his career short and Kingston will eventually retire. So where does that leave the dark horse of the group? Kross' mind games worked so well because The New Day's storied run seems to be winding down and he's still chasing an unspoken sibling rivalry with his friends.
Even more, he's seemingly worried that he won't be enough to fill E's role long-term. No one considered what the stable would look like without its powerhouse, and this storyline is an ingenious way to address the effects of absence.
As such, this push to win the tag titles feels like a make-or-break win for Kingston and Woods. It will either exacerbate the strain on their relationship or galvanize the pair to end their time together on a high note.
Either way, we're on the edge of our seats to see how the most enduring three-man act in the company will celebrate their upcoming anniversary. The New Day deserves a proper send-off, and this story has been just as unconventional as you would expect.
