In search of its next star, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) is setting up shop on O‘ahu this weekend.
WWE, the world's most prominent professional wrestling promotion, will have a recruitment booth at the Hi Fit Expo, which takes place the Neal S. Blaisdell Exhibition Hall on Saturday and Sunday.
A member of the WWE's talent development team will be present to speak with individuals interested in learning about the process of joining the organization.
The WWE's presence at the Hi Fit Expo this weekend will be the organization's first time in the Islands openly recruiting in an organized capacity. One potential avenue for prospective athletes to join the WWE is through its NIL program.
When NCAA athletes became permitted to earn money off their name, image and likenesses (NIL) in 2021, the WWE followed suit by launching its own NIL program in 2021. The WWE's NIL program, short for Next In Line, is a developmental program in which the organization identifies current college athletes that are deemed as a potential fit once they are done playing their original sports. Athletes in the WWE's NIL program are then compensated financially and promoted.
WWE stars Tiffany Stratton, Bron Breakker and Oba Femi are just a few of the organization's developmental success stories in finding young talent.
Stratton (born Jessica Woynilko), 27, competed in gymnastics before crossing over to wrestling. Meanwhile, Breakker (born Bronson Rechsteiner), 28, played college football for Kennesaw State and briefly signed with the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent before switching sports. Femi (born Isaac Odugbesan), 28, signed with the WWE's NIL program in 2021, back when he was an SEC shot put champion at the University of Alabama. All three appeared in WWE NXT, the WWE's developmental program, before matriculating to the WWE as full-timers.
Despite its success with collegiate athletes in recent years, all comers are welcome this weekend, and the WWE is expected to cast a wide net.
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Christian Shimabuku can be reached at christian@alohastatedaily.com.
