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I have some questions about WWE ID.
OK.
Are these talents getting paid?
There is a belief among some we've spoken to that they would be getting a stipend, but they are not under contract like a NXT or main roster talent is.
If they have this WWE ID deal, are they blocked from wrestling talents from New Japan, TNA, AEW, etc.?
As of right now, we are told they have the freedom to go and wrestle anywhere they wish, including those promotions.
Does WWE have the right to tell them who they can't lose to?
No, we are told that as of right now, that's not part of the WWE ID deal. The talents have freedom to wrestle as they did and WWE doesn't control their creative or booking.
The reason I ask all these questions is if WWE isn't in control, what is in it for them?
What's in it for WWE is a few things. One, the belief is they would have right of first refusal on talent. A few years ago, WWE wasn't ready to sign Matt Riddle, so they asked EVOLVE to take and use him. They did regularly. When New Japan showed interest in Riddle, WWE made the decision to sign him. Everything I've heard sounds like that scenario on a bigger scale. If Wrestler X has interest from AEW, they can go to WWE and say, "Hey., AEW wants to sign me." WWE can then decide to sign them first or let them go elsewhere. It's more of letter of intent than anything else. AEW had something along those lines with Nick Wayne, showing they wanted to sign him when he turned 18. It's a way to keep the talents you think have the chance to develop under your spotlight without locking them in.
What will be the effect on the indies?
Well, for the promotions that are being used to indentify WWE ID talents, so to speak, it's a short term positive. Wrestling Open sold out last night in advance, something that has only happened 2-3 times previously. Memphis Wrestling got local news coverage of their taping this weekend. The WWE letters will help put eyeballs on companies from a fan base that otherwise might ignore them. Whether this can benefit the promotions long-term, however, remains to be seen. It could be that the WWE ID name helps sell a few tickets when those talents appear. It could be that some fans ignore shows that don't have that tag, but I think those fans would have likely skipped independent shows anymore. There's an entire fan base out there that only cares about WWE-centric properties.
Is this all WWE is going to do?
No, we know they are working with the announced wrestling schools and one would think that over time, they will expand the program, if they deem it worthwhile. The idea of all of these schools being open to the talents when they are in the area or need guidance sounds like a positive to me. I actually think they could add a few more schools, but we'll see if that happens.
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