Indie promoters and talent dismissed a recent report about how the WWE ID program works.
In the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reported an update about the WWE ID program. He stated that, per the talent’s contract, Gabe Sapolsky put their matches together and gave the script to the promoter who booked them. Meltzer stated that the promoter paid the talent and could push that the talent comes from WWE. He also noted that WWE covered the travel costs with a stipend and the promoter paid the difference if the costs were larger than the stipend.
GCW promoter Brett Lauderdale took to Twitter and responded to the report.
“Gabe doesn’t put the matches together,” he wrote. “I’ve never seen or heard of a script. We are “allowed” to push “WWE ID” on talent announcements (but we don’t) Not aware of any travel stipend or travel share but that would be cool!”
My experience with WWE ID:
— brett lauderdale (@Lauderdale11) March 14, 2025
1. Gabe doesn't put the matches together
2. I've never seen or heard of a script
3. We are "allowed" to push "WWE ID" on talent announcements (but we don't)
4. Not aware of any travel stipend or travel share but that would be cool! https://t.co/1XEcRjyOj9
In another post, Lauderdale responded to a fan who asked whether they had a say if the talent go over or not, or if it was up to Lauderdale. He wrote, “No. There has never been any discussion about winning/losing and they’ve never asked, dictated, requested or solicited anything when it pertains to WWE ID Talent. There is also no distinction or separate rules for “ID vs ID” matches.”
No.
— brett lauderdale (@Lauderdale11) March 14, 2025
There has never been any discussion about winning/losing and they've never asked, dictated, requested or solicited anything when it pertains to WWE ID Talent.
There is also no distinction or separate rules for "ID vs ID" matches. https://t.co/j1hCOgABBH
The DEFY Wrestling promoter shared Lauderdale’s post and said that he was spot on.
Brett is spot on. https://t.co/h2PcKthKTi
— DEFY Wrestling (@defyNW) March 14, 2025
WWE ID talent Zayda Steel also responded to the report and dismissed it.
wait what ?
— Zayda Steel (@ZaydaSteel) March 14, 2025
Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select also reported that numerous performers and promotions say they’ve never been sent a script regarding ID talent to use, and they haven’t heard of stipends for travel.
