The WWE Independent Development (ID) program is heating up, and William Regal himself is ushering in the new class. Regal, ever the talent scout, was seen backstage on SmackDown introducing new signees Marcus Mathers and Sam “Hardway” Holloway to the WWE ID fold. WWE released a video clip of the signing on X, sparking buzz about this fresh wave of indie standouts now officially on the WWE radar.
Mathers, a standout from Game Changer Wrestling (GCW), has made a name for himself across multiple promotions, including Dreamwave, where he currently holds the Alternative Championship. Holloway, meanwhile, joins WWE ID as the reigning Super Indy Champion in the International Wrestling Cartel (IWC). Known for his hard-hitting style, Holloway has been making waves in Absolute Intense Wrestling and Appalachian Championship Wrestling.
The excitement doesn’t stop there. Reports indicate that WWE ID is expanding beyond just new blood, with former NXT star Timothy Thatcher rumored to be joining as a coach. Sources hint that bigger names may be revealed soon, with WWE’s ID program poised to include veterans who’ve made waves in other major promotions. Familiar faces like GCW’s Jack “Cartwheel” Summit and CZW’s Zayda Steel are already part of the first batch of ID recruits.
It’s clear that WWE ID is positioning itself as a blend of up-and-comers and seasoned stars, with Regal steering the ship and WWE pulling from a deeper, more diverse well of wrestling talent.