WWE is adding new recruits to its Performance Center, even more than what fans already know. While the company recently introduced part of its April 2026 rookie class, reports say a few new signings have not been officially announced yet.
This comes at an important time for WWE NXT. After WrestleMania 42, many top stars like Ethan Page, Ricky Saints, Sol Ruca, and Joe Hendry were called up to the main roster, leaving gaps in the lineup.
Now, NXT is rebuilding its roster. Because of that, WWE has stressed the need to create new stars.
WWE quietly adds new talent to the Performance Center
According to Fightful Select, WWE has signed several recruits who are already part of the system but haven’t been revealed publicly. Two names mentioned are Nikki Blackheart and Marie Malenko.
“There are additional WWE signings/recruits for the Performance Center that haven’t been officially announced, with Nikki Blackheart and Marie Malenko being among them, FightfulSelect was told,” the report states.
Nikki Blackheart reportedly signed in mid-March after a tryout in February. She is currently finishing her indie commitments before joining the Performance Center full-time. Marie Malenko, daughter of wrestling veteran Dean Malenko, is said to have signed on March 20. Even though both are already signed, WWE has not confirmed their signings yet.
This quiet approach is different from WWE’s recent announcement on April 29, where they revealed four new recruits- Alyssa Daniele, Garrett Beck, Nicholas Panicali, and Zoe Hines.
Each of them comes from a different background. Daniele has modeling experience and attended WWE tryouts earlier this year. Beck played lacrosse and joined through the NIL program. Panicali played college volleyball, while Hines was a softball player at Boston College and even represented France internationally.
This mix shows how WWE is balancing its recruitment. They are bringing in both athletes and experienced performers.
Read More: WWE Looking to Fill NXT Spots After Recent Call-Ups
