What WWE Is REALLY Looking For In New Wrestlers

A new update sheds light on WWE's updated signing policy, including that "no indie wrestlers" rule.

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WWE's much-publicised change in signing policy may not be geared as heavily against independent wrestlers as first thought.

Per PWInsider's Mike Johnson, the suggestion that WWE is going to completely ignore the indie scene when it comes to potential signings isn't entirely accurate. Instead, this is more of a general shift towards larger competitors outwith traditional wrestling circles, who, in the words of Johnson's source, WWE can "mould like raw clay to become WWE stars."

WWE won't be completely turning its nose up at the indies, but there's a feeling within the promotion that the recruitment policy had swung too far in that direction in recent times. Now, it'll swing the opposite way, with the promotion "casting a wide net" beyond the scene.

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The promotion will still take a look at any independent wrestlers who may be worth investing in as developmental prospects. While it sounds like they won't be going as all-in on the stars of wrestling's smaller stages as before, they reportedly aren't abandoning them completely.

Indie wrestlers Sefa Fatu (28) and Ben Buchanan (20) were amongst the new crop of WWE recruits announced on Monday.

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Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.