Report: WWE Scouting Independent Wrestlers Again

WWE are looking to bring in more independent wrestlers again.

The company had largely moved away from signing talent on the independent wrestling scene since the launch of their NIL programme in late 2021, instead focusing on bringing in college athletes. WWE even held a tryout ahead of SummerSlam in Nashville that didn't feature a single independent wrestler. 

Major changes have taken place in WWE since Vince McMahon's retirement, though, and Senior Vice President of Talent Development Creative Shawn Michaels revealed in September that the company were looking at indy wrestlers and Japanese talents. 

It has since emerged that WWE were interested in Bandido and Matt Taven but both ultimately opted to sign with All Elite Wrestling.

In an update, Bryan Alvarez of the Wrestling Observer reported that WWE are scouting indy talent again and Gabe Sapolsky was spotted at DEFY's show over the weekend. The ROH co-founder was also recently in attendance for AAW's Jim Lynam Memorial Tournament in mid-October. 

Sapolsky returned to WWE in September as a creative team consultant for the main roster.