WWE’s Independent Development (ID) program is undergoing a massive wave of roster turnover, marked by a fresh round of talent departures and high-profile additions to the developmental pipeline.
Major Departures Hit the Program
Recent reports indicate that the developmental initiative has parted ways with several notable independent standouts.
- Cappuccino Jones: A former WWE ID Men’s Champion who held the title for 234 days between August 2025 and March 2026, and the reigning Reality of Wrestling Texas Champion.
- Santi Rivera: A 24-year-old rising prospect who has competed across promotions like Create A Pro, Beyond Wrestling, and Reality of Wrestling.
- Additional Exits: These departures follow the confirmed exits of Laynie Luck, Sam Holloway, and Marcus Mathers, bringing the total number of recent roster departures to five.
None of the departing wrestlers have publicly addressed their exits from the initiative as of this writing.
New Signings Bolster Developmental Roster
While trimming down parts of its roster, WWE continues to inject fresh talent into the system. During a WWN Live event in Florida, Richard Adonis was officially announced as the program’s newest signee.
- The Signing: Presented with his contract by WWE ID coach and veteran grappler Timothy Thatcher, the 25-year-old Adonis celebrated the milestone in the ring.
- Background: Known as “The Silver Snake,” Adonis has been wrestling since 2017, training under WWE Hall of Famer Afa The Wild Samoan, Pete Dunne, James Drake, and Zack Gibson, while building experience in the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) and independent circuits.
- Recent Additions: Adonis joins a growing class of newcomers that includes Monica Monroe, Josiah Jean, and Conan Lycan.
As WWE continues to evaluate its developmental ecosystem, the ongoing influx of new signees alongside sudden veteran releases proves that the evaluation process behind the scenes remains relentless.
It’s official WWE ID https://t.co/yokpeNx6db
— Richard Adonis (@RichardAdoniss) October 13, 2026
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