More Details On WWE's Next In Line Programme Reportedly Emerge

As part of WWE's move away from hiring independent wrestlers towards bringing in good-looking college athletes, the company launched their new developmental 'Next In Line' programme in early December. The new Name, Image & Likeness scheme is designed to help recruit and develop college athletes into potential WWE wrestlers. Athletes will have access to the WWE Performance Center, as well as resources for media training, live event production, brand building, creative writing and community relations.

The company announced their inaugural class of NIL athletes earlier this week and they will join Olympic gold medallist Gable Steveson in the programme.

The newly signed athletes won't have the same benefits as Gable Steveson, though, according to Wrestling Observer Newsletter's Dave Meltzer.

While Steveson was signed to a multi-year deal and was drafted to Monday Night Raw in September ahead of starting with WWE upon completion of his senior year at the University of Minnesota, other athletes in the programme are on deals in the "low double figures", with a few earning above $100,000 to get them through university. They aren't signed beyond this, though, and as previously noted, athletes could earn a full-time WWE contract upon completion of the Next In Line programme.