WWE ID Championships to Be Defended Against Independent Wrestlers — With Contracts on the Line

WWE’s newest initiative to bridge the gap between the independent scene and its own developmental system just got even more intriguing.

After unveiling the WWE ID program last year — a developmental track specifically designed to scout and develop independent talent — WWE has now pulled the curtain back on the WWE ID Championships, one each for the men’s and women’s divisions. The inaugural champions will be determined through a double-elimination tournament kicking off during WrestleMania week in Las Vegas, but there’s a major twist: once crowned, those champions must defend the titles against any indie wrestler willing to step up — not just their fellow ID signees.

Yes, you read that right. Once the first official WWE ID Champions are crowned, the titles will be defended across various independent promotions. And if a non-ID, unsigned wrestler manages to capture the gold, they won’t just walk away with the title — they’ll also be awarded a WWE ID contract.

According to WWE’s announcement:

“The WWE ID Championships will be open to all independent wrestlers once the champions are crowned. The titles will be defended at various independent wrestling events. If a non-WWE ID prospect wins the title, they will be awarded a WWE ID contract.”

The concept is already generating buzz across the wrestling world, offering a one-of-a-kind opportunity for unsigned talent to fight their way into WWE — not via tryouts or dark matches, but through proving themselves against WWE ID’s best inside the squared circle.

The Tournament Begins at WrestleMania Week

The road to crowning the first WWE ID Champions kicks off in Las Vegas during WrestleMania week with two major events:

  • April 16 at GCW’s “The Collective 2025”
    The opening salvo of the ID Tournament goes down under the GCW banner, where we already have confirmed first-round matches:
    • Kylie Rae vs. Zayda Steel in a women’s bout
    • It’s GAL vs. Cappuccino Jones on the men’s side
  • April 18 at Future Stars of Wrestling (FSW)
    More men’s tournament action will take place following SmackDown, including:
    • Sean Legacy vs. Ricky Smokes
    • Brad Baylor vs. Ice Williams

The tournament features a double-elimination format, meaning each competitor must lose twice to be eliminated. All current WWE ID prospects are participating, setting the stage for fierce in-ring competition and plenty of eyes on potential breakout stars.

What This Means for the Indies

This move represents a bold step forward in WWE’s approach to talent development, effectively creating a hybrid title system that lives both within and outside the WWE ecosystem. By making the ID Championships defendable on the indie circuit, WWE is injecting its scouting efforts with real stakes — and giving unsigned talents something massive to fight for.

It’s a unique opportunity for indie wrestlers to earn a WWE contract by doing what they do best — performing in front of passionate, grassroots crowds. For fans, it means high-stakes matches popping up on independent cards, with WWE implications on the line.

The wrestling world will be watching closely to see who walks out of Las Vegas with gold in hand — and how soon an outsider steps up to shake up the system.

Izzy Moreno Steps Up: Former Superfan Looks to Earn Spot in WWE ID Championship Tournament

From cheering in the front row to fighting for a chance at championship gold — Izzy Moreno’s story just keeps getting better.

The indie standout, best remembered by longtime fans as Bayley’s young superfan during NXT’s black-and-gold era, is now looking to carve her own path in the squared circle. And she’s eyeing a major opportunity: a spot in WWE ID’s Championship Tournament during WrestleMania Week.

Izzy made her intentions clear in a fired-up video posted to her social media, where she threw her name into the mix for the upcoming WWE ID Championship Tournament set to take place at GCW’s event on April 16 in Las Vegas.

“What if…..I mean what if @WWEID called me to be in the opening round of the WWE ID Championship tournament at @GCWrestling_ on April 16th in Las Vegas?” she teased.

“No more what ifs…. Izzy Moreno is ready for the WWE ID championship tournament! 😤 💪”

The WWE ID account wasted no time responding — and they didn’t hand her a spot. Instead, they handed her a challenge.

Izzy will have to earn her way into the tournament by defeating rising WWE ID prospect Zara Zakher in a non-tournament qualifier match at the April 16 GCW show. It’s a high-stakes moment for both women, with the winner securing a spot in the actual WWE ID Championship Tournament bracket.

“You have a world of potential, Izzy,” WWE ID wrote in response. “However, you have to earn your way into the WWE ID Championship tournament.”

This sets the stage for what could be a breakout moment for Moreno, who’s been grinding on the independent scene while sharpening her in-ring game. Though she’s still early in her career, the buzz around her name — thanks to both her childhood connection to WWE and her growing credibility as a performer — makes this upcoming clash with Zakher one to watch.

For Izzy, this isn’t just about nostalgia. It’s about proving she belongs in the ring with today’s top prospects and tomorrow’s superstars.

April 16 in Vegas could be the night she flips the script from “superfan” to “serious contender.”

WWE Raw Preview 4/7/2025

WWE Raw airs live tonight globally on Netflix from the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

  • WWE World Tag Team Championship: War Raiders (c) vs. The New Day
  • Women’s Intercontinental Championship: Lyra Valkyria (c) vs. Bayley
  • Adam Pearce will address the WWE Women’s World Championship picture with IYO SKY, Rhea Ripley and Bianca Belair
  • Penta vs. Judgment Day’s Dominik Mysterio
  • El Grande Americano in action
  • Plus, appearances by CM Punk, Seth Rollins, Paul Heyman, Jey Uso and WWE World Heavyweight Champion Gunther.

Kevin Owens Shares Recovery Timeline

Kevin Owens is keeping his chin up — even if it’s his neck that needs fixing.

After delivering a surprising and emotional announcement on WWE SmackDown last week, Kevin Owens confirmed he’ll be stepping away from the ring to undergo neck surgery. The news sparked concern among fans, with some even speculating this could be a career-threatening situation. But if you ask KO himself? He’s not ready to hang up the boots just yet.

Speaking on the My Mom’s Basement podcast, Owens offered a candid and hopeful update on his condition and future in WWE. While acknowledging the seriousness of the injury, “The Prizefighter” made it clear that a return is very much on his mind.

“I know I’ll come back — or at the very least, I really hope I come back. You know, I guess there’s … I never take anything for granted in what we do, so who knows? But it’s pretty likely I’ll come back,” Owens said.

More than just a return, Owens already has his sights set on a dream singles match against none other than Randy Orton. The two briefly clashed at WrestleMania 40 in a triple threat match that also involved Logan Paul, but Owens wants another shot — one-on-one with “The Viper.”

“Maybe we could do it [a match with Orton at WrestleMania] eventually,” he added, suggesting that he’s not done chasing WrestleMania moments.

As for his recovery timeline, the former Universal Champion admitted it’s still early days. He hasn’t spoken to his surgeon yet — that appointment is set for this week — but based on what others have experienced with similar injuries, Owens estimates his absence could last anywhere from six to twelve months.

“Most of the people who have gone through similar things have probably, you know, six months to eight months to a year. So I would assume within that range, but I don’t really know. Like I said, it’s all really new right now.”

Owens’ last match came at Elimination Chamber in February, where he picked up a win over longtime friend (and sometimes rival) Sami Zayn — a fitting high note before taking time off.

While there’s still a long road ahead, Owens’ passion for the business and his desire for that elusive singles match with Orton could be the fuel he needs to power through recovery. For now, fans will have to wait — but if history has taught us anything, it’s that Kevin Owens always finds a way to fight back.

Stay locked in to WrestlingNewsBlog.com for updates on KO’s status and all things WWE.

AEW Dynasty 4/6/2025 (Results)

AEW Dynasty 2025 delivered a stacked night of action, featuring title changes, the emotional implosion of Rated FTR and the return of The Young Bucks. From pre-show chaos to main event drama, here’s your full breakdown of everything that went down.

Zero Hour Pre-Show Highlights

CRU & Nick Wayne def. Top Flight & AR Fox
The Patriarchy picked up steam with a hard-fought victory, despite interference attempts from Kip Sabian. AR Fox had the crowd on fire with a sequence of high-octane offense, but Nick Wayne sealed the deal with a brutal Wayne’s World to grab the win for his team.

Anthony Bowens def. Max Caster – Max Caster Best Wrestler Alive Open Challenge
Max Casters former The Acclaimed tag team partner Anthony Bowens with “Daddy Ass” Billy Gunn answered the challenge. After swiping Caster’s “Best Wrestler Alive” moniker, Bowens leveled him with a Famouser for the win.

Main Card Results

Will Ospreay def. Kevin Knight – Owen Hart Cup Quarterfinal (Men’s)
Ospreay and Knight tore it down in a fast-paced opening bout. Knight gave Ospreay everything he could handle, but a late surge by “The Aerial Assassin” — including a Styles Clash, Os Cutter, and finally the Hidden Blade — punched Ospreay’s ticket to the semis.

The Hurt Syndicate (c) def. Bryan Keith & Big Bill – AEW World Tag Team Titles
Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin retained their titles with help from MJF, who made a surprise appearance in the crowd, hits Big Bill with a forearm and led the fans cheering for The Hurt Syndicate. A spear by Lashley on Keith sealed the victory as The Hurt Syndicate continues to dominate the tag division.

Mercedes Moné def. Julia Hart – Owen Hart Cup Quarterfinal (Women’s)
Moné survived Julia Hart’s aggressive offense and multiple pinfall attempts. After escaping the Hartless submission, Moné locked in the Statement Maker for the decisive win. Harley Cameron was shown scouting from backstage.

The Death Riders (c) def. Rated FTR – AEW Trios Championship
A hard-hitting war ended in heartbreak — not just defeat — for Cope and FTR. After an epic bout featuring tandem submissions and aerial chaos, Wheeler Yuta scored the pinfall with a Busaiku Knee. Post-match, Dax Harwood shockingly turned on Cope, delivering a piledriver and ordering a brutal chair assault. Wheeler initially tried to stop him but eventually joined in. FTR hit a Shatter Machine and Con-Chair-To, leaving Cope stretchered out.

Toni Storm (c) def. Megan Bayne – AEW Women’s World Championship
Storm retained in a physically intense contest that saw interference from both Penelope Ford and Luther. After weathering Bayne’s powerhouse offense, Storm countered with a roll-up to escape with her title intact.

Kyle Fletcher def. Mark Briscoe – Owen Hart Cup Quarterfinal (Men’s)
Briscoe’s brawling spirit was alive and well, but Fletcher’s resilience and technical edge earned him the win. Despite absorbing a Razor’s Edge and elbow drop, Fletcher powered through and connected with a Brainbuster to advance.

Bandido def. Chris Jericho – ROH World Championship (Title vs. Mask)
Bandido is your new Ring of Honor World Champion — but only after the match had to be restarted due to Jericho’s underhanded tactics. After a bat-assisted pinfall, the referee reversed the decision, and Bandido capitalized on the chaos, landing a 21 Plex to score the three-count. Jericho’s mask-snatching plan backfired big time.

Adam Cole def. Daniel Garcia – TNT Championship
With ringside banned, this was a straight-up fight. Cole’s knee was targeted early, but he dug deep and landed two Panama Sunrises and The Boom to capture the TNT Title. Post-match, a show of respect between the two.

Kenny Omega (c) def. Speedball Mike Bailey & Ricochet – AEW International Championship
In a show-stealing triple threat, Omega outlasted two of wrestling’s most explosive strikers. After a relentless flurry of dives, suplexes, and 450 splashes, Omega hit a One Winged Angel on Ricochet from the middle rope to retain. Post-match, Kazuchika Okada emerged, Continental Title in hand, confronting Omega and teasing a dream title vs. title clash.

Main Event: Jon Moxley (c) def. Swerve Strickland – AEW World Championship

This brutal affair between Moxley and Swerve Strickland lived up to the hype — and chaos. From fighting on the steps to a ladder-assisted meteora through the announce table, both men pulled out all the stops. Just as Swerve seemed to have Mox beat with a top-rope Swerve Stomp, the lights cut out — and The Young Bucks appeared, landing a BTE Trigger on Strickland. Moxley crawled into the cover to retain.

Watch the AEW Dynasty Post-Show Media Scrum below.

Kevin Owens Opens Up About Neck Injury: “25 Years In, It Was Bound to Happen”

Just days after confirming he’s out of WrestleMania 41, Kevin Owens has shed more light on the injury that’s taken him off the road — and it turns out, the damage may not have come from one of his high-risk, headline-grabbing matches.

During an appearance on the My Mom’s Basement podcast ahead of this week’s WWE SmackDown, Owens candidly spoke about his neck issues, revealing that the injury likely happened during a routine match in January, not during his more extreme outings like his ladder match with Cody Rhodes or his Unsanctioned Match with Sami Zayn.

“25 years in, with the stuff I’ve done, I feel like it was bound to happen,” Owens said. “It sucks. The timing sucks, for sure… but I felt great even recently. This wasn’t something constant. It was just something that didn’t feel right the last few months.”

Owens explained that he had undergone a full-body MRI back in December — mostly out of curiosity — and while it revealed wear and tear (including his well-documented knee issues), doctors at the time gave him the green light. But a match in January changed everything.

“There were two things that really jarred my neck,” he recalled. “That’s when the issues started. I knew something was wrong. This week we did another MRI and found out it’s serious.”

So serious, in fact, that WWE’s medical team told Owens he wouldn’t be cleared for WrestleMania. That revelation hit hard.

“I was so shocked I almost stopped listening,” Owens admitted. “I knew something was up, but I didn’t think it was that bad. I thought we’d take care of it after WrestleMania.”

Unfortunately, that’s not how things played out. Owens now faces neck surgery and is staring down an uncertain recovery timeline. He hasn’t yet consulted with a surgeon but believes he could be out anywhere from six months to a year.

Missing Randy Orton at WrestleMania: “That Bugs Me the Most”

Perhaps the most painful part of the timing is that Owens was set to face Randy Orton in a one-on-one match at WrestleMania 41 — a dream bout for KO.

“That’s the part that bugs me the most,” he said. “I know I’ll be back. At least I hope I will. But this year was supposed to be me vs. Randy Orton at WrestleMania. That’s huge for me.”

Owens took some solace in the fact that he shared the ring with Orton last year — albeit in a multi-man match he jokingly noted included “that other annoying guy” (take your guess on that one).

Injury Came from a “Regular Match”

In a fascinating twist, Owens pushed back against fans assuming his injury must have come from a violent spot in one of his more chaotic matches.

“It happened in a regular match,” Owens clarified. “No hardcore things. Nothing. Just two very simple things I’ve done a million times. That’s what’s funny about it. Sometimes it’s just bad luck — and I think in that match, those two things were just this much off.”

He also addressed fan criticism and misconceptions surrounding his in-ring style and recent use of barbed wire, pointing out that just because he didn’t bleed doesn’t mean it wasn’t legit.

“Our entire craft is making people believe something that’s not actually happening — and I’m very good at that,” he said. “Some people will never believe me anyway, and that’s fine.”

What’s Next?

As of now, Owens will undergo surgery soon and meet with specialists to finalize his recovery plan. There’s no concrete timeline for his return, but he remains hopeful and focused on coming back strong.

For now, the KO Show is on pause — but if we’ve learned anything about Kevin Owens over the last 25 years, it’s that this isn’t the end. Just the next chapter.

Stay with Wrestling News Blog for updates on KO’s surgery, recovery timeline, and the fallout from his WrestleMania absence.

Mark Davis Reportedly Suffers Broken Foot on AEW Dynamite

Another AEW star is heading to the sidelines, as new reports confirm that Mark Davis sustained a broken foot during his match with Powerhouse Hobbs on the March 26 episode of AEW Dynamite.

The injury, which caused the bout to end abruptly, had remained somewhat of a mystery until Wrestling Observer Radio’s Dave Meltzer provided a key update. Meltzer noted that the Aussie Open powerhouse fractured his foot during the match, which is expected to keep him out of in-ring action for at least a couple of months.

While AEW has yet to issue an official statement, there’s reportedly been backstage talk about keeping Davis visible on TV during his recovery — possibly in a non-wrestling or background role — to maintain his presence and keep momentum going for Aussie Open.

This injury comes at a tough time for Davis, who, alongside Kyle Fletcher, had been gaining traction as part of AEW’s tag team division. With Fletcher recently making solo appearances, it’ll be interesting to see how AEW handles Davis’ absence and whether Fletcher continues to work singles matches in the meantime.

No firm return date has been confirmed, but based on current expectations, fans may not have to wait too long to see Davis back on his feet — and back in the ring.

Kevin Owens Announces Neck Surgery, Officially Out of WrestleMania 41 — Orton Left Without an Opponent

WrestleMania season just took a major hit. On Friday night’s WWE SmackDown, Kevin Owens delivered a heartbreaking update: he’s undergoing neck surgery and will be sidelined indefinitely — including missing out on a highly anticipated showdown with Randy Orton at WrestleMania 41.

SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis opened the segment, setting a somber tone and reminding fans why WWE always warns against trying this at home. Aldis then brought Owens to the ring so the former Universal Champion could break the news himself.

Owens revealed that he’s been quietly battling a neck injury for the past four months but only recently discovered the full extent of the damage. The diagnosis? Surgery is required — and the timing couldn’t be worse. Owens admitted that missing WrestleMania stings, especially since he was set to face a legend like Randy Orton on the grandest stage of them all.

In an emotional moment, Owens thanked WWE for letting him speak directly to the fans, unsure of when he’ll be able to perform in front of them again. He expressed his gratitude and apologized, visibly emotional as he walked away.

But the moment didn’t end there.

As Owens made his exit, Orton’s music hit. The Viper walked to the ring and locked eyes with Owens on the apron. No words were exchanged — just a silent, mutual moment of respect. With Owens gone, Aldis told Orton the reality of the situation: with Owens out, Orton has no WrestleMania opponent.

Orton’s answer? A thunderous RKO to the General Manager.

While Owens begins his road to recovery, the question now looms large: what’s next for Randy Orton heading into WrestleMania 41? And more importantly, when — or if — we’ll see KO back in the ring.

Stay with Wrestling News Blog for updates on Owens’ recovery.

Pwinsider is reporting that according to multiple WWE sources, the situation is serious, with Owens likely needing surgery — potentially spinal fusion.

AEW Collision Preview 4/5/2025

AEW Collision tonight on TBS and Max taped Wednesday night from the Peoria Civic Center in Peoria, Illinois.

  • Cash Wheeler vs. AEW Trios Champion Pac
  • Top Flight vs. Cru ( Action Andretti & Lio Rush)
  • “Speedball” Mike Bailey vs. Dralistico – (Ricochet on commentary)
  • Powerhouse Hobbs & Tomohiro Ishii vs. Kyle Fletcher & Konosuke Takeshita
  • AEW TBS Champion Mercedes Mone` & Harley Cameron vs. ROH Women’s world Champion Athena & Julia Hart
  • Sitdown with Daniel Garcia and Adam Cole
  • Best Wrestler Alive Max Caster Open Challenge
  • We’ll hear from Jay White

AEW Dynasty 4/6/2025 (Card)

AEW Dynasty – Sunday April 6, 2025 – Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

CARD

AEW WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP:
Jon Moxley (c) vs. Swerve Strickland

AEW INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP:
Kenny Omega (c) vs. Ricochet vs. “Speedball” Mike Bailey

AEW WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP:
“Timeless” Toni Storm (c) vs. Megan Bayne

WOMN’S OWEN HART CUP TOURNAMENT FIRST ROUND MATCH:
Mercedes Mone vs. Julia Hart

MASK VS TITLE MATCH FOR THE ROH WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP:
Chris Jericho (c) vs. Bandido

AEW WORLD TRIOS CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH:
Death Riders (c) (Claudio Castagnoli, PAC, & Wheeler Yuta) vs. Rated FTR (Cope, Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood)

AEW TNT CHAMPIONSHIP – NO TIME LIMIT, NO OUTSIDE INTERFERENCE:
Daniel Garcia (c) vs. Adam Cole

AEW WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP:
The Hurt Syndicate (c) vs. Big Bill & Bryan Keith

MEN’S OWEN HART CUP TOURNAMENT FIRST ROUND MATCH:
Will Ospreay vs. Kevin Knight

MEN’S OWEN HART CUP TOURNAMENT FIRST ROUND MATCH:
Mark Briscoe vs. Kyle Fletcher

Top Flight & AR Fox vs. CRU & Nick Wayne