WWE ID Championship

WWE ID Championship
The WWE ID Championship belt with default side plates.
Details
PromotionWWE
Independent circuit
Date establishedFebruary 18, 2025
Current championCappuccino Jones
Date wonAugust 1, 2025
Statistics
First championCappuccino Jones

The WWE ID Championship is a men's professional wrestling championship created and promoted by the American company WWE, WWE Evolve for their Independent Development (ID) program. Unlike WWE's other titles, the WWE ID Championship is exclusively defended on the independent circuit and open to all independent wrestlers. The current champion is Cappuccino Jones, who defeated Jack Cartwheel in a tournament final to become the inaugural champion at Game Changer Wrestling's event, The ID Showcase, on August 1, 2025.

WWE ID is designed to provide a pathway for independent wrestlers to transition into WWE. Both the men's and women's ID championships were established on February 18, 2025, and if a non-WWE ID wrestler wins either title, they will receive a WWE ID contract.

History

In October 2024, the American professional wrestling company WWE introduced the Independent Development (ID) program, similar to their Next in Line (NIL) program for college athletes, with ID to support the development of independent wrestlers by collaborating with various wrestling schools and promotions on the independent circuit. The inaugural partner promotions and schools confirmed were Reality of Wrestling, Black and Brave Academy, Nightmare Factory, Elite Pro Wrestling Training Center, and KnokX Pro Academy.[1]

During a press conference on February 18, 2025, WWE's Chief Content Officer, Paul "Triple H" Levesque, unveiled men's and women's WWE ID Championships. The titles were designed to be defended exclusively across the independent circuit, offering emerging talent increased exposure and opportunities.[2] The inaugural champions will be determined through a tournament featuring top prospects from the WWE ID program. The tournament matches were scheduled to take place at various independent wrestling shows, highlighting WWE's collaboration with the independent wrestling scene.[3] Participants of the inaugural tournament are all WWE ID prospects, and first round matches were held by Game Changer Wrestling (GCW) on April 16 and Future Stars of Wrestling on April 18 during WrestleMania 41 week.[4] It was then confirmed that after the crowning of the inaugural champions, all independent wrestlers would be eligible to challenge for the ID Championships and that if a non-WWE ID wrestler were to win either title, they would receive a WWE ID contract.[5]

The men's tournament format was a double-elimination tournament. On July 8, 2025, it was confirmed that the tournament final would be held at GCW's event, The ID Showcase, on August 1 during SummerSlam week.[6] The final was between Cappuccino Jones and Jack Cartwheel,[7] which Jones won to become the inaugural ID Champion.[8]

Inaugural tournament

The tournament format was a double-elimination tournament, where if a wrestler got two losses, it would result in an elimination from the tournament, with the final six competing in a single-elimination tournament.[9][10][11]

Quarterfinals
July 19, 2025		Semifinals
July 19, 2025		Final
August 1, 2025
Brad Baylor8:19[12]
Jack CartwheelPinJack CartwheelPin
Sean Legacy7:17[12]Jack Cartwheel19:26[13]
Cappuccino JonesPin
Ice Williams12:51[12]
Bryce Donovan7:59[12]Cappuccino JonesPin
Cappuccino JonesPin

Other competitors during the double elimination stage included Aaron Roberts, Aaron Rouke, It's Gal, Jordan Oasis, Marcus Mathers, Ricky Smokes, Sam Holloway, Jackson Drake (who was removed due to becoming WWE Evolve Champion)[14] and Freedom Ramsey[15] (who was quietly removed due to legitimately being released from the WWE ID program).[16]

Design

The WWE ID Championship belt features a modern design on a black strap, incorporating elements that represent both WWE and the independent wrestling scene. The center plate prominently displays the WWE ID logo, flanked by customizable side plates that can be personalized by the reigning champion.[17]

Reigns

As of August 23, 2025.

Key
No. Overall reign number
Reign Reign number for the specific champion
Days Number of days held
+ Current reign is changing daily
No. Champion Championship change Reign statistics Notes Ref.
Date Event Location Reign Days
WWE: ID
1 Cappuccino Jones August 1, 2025 Game Changer Wrestling:
The ID Showcase 		Rutherford, NJ 1 22+ Defeated Jack Cartwheel in a tournament final to become the inaugural champion. [18]

References

  1. ^ Currier, Joseph (October 29, 2024). "WWE announces new 'WWE ID' program for indie wrestlers". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  2. ^ Ucchino, Rick (February 18, 2025). "Triple H Unveils New WWE ID Championships To Spotlight Up-And-Coming Talent". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  3. ^ Lambert, Jeremy (February 18, 2025). "WWE ID Championships Unveiled". Fightful. Retrieved February 28, 2025.
  4. ^ Renner, Ethan (March 17, 2025). "WWE ID championship tournament to begin on WrestleMania week indie shows". Wrestling Observer Figure Four Online. Retrieved March 18, 2025.
  5. ^ Lambert, Jeremy; Defelice, Robert (April 7, 2025). "WWE ID Announces WWE ID Titles Will Be Open To All Independent Talent Once Champions Are Crowned". Fightful. Retrieved April 7, 2025.
  6. ^ Thomas, Jeremy (July 8, 2025). "WWE ID Champions To Be Crowned At GCW Presents The ID Showcase". 411Mania. Retrieved July 15, 2025.
  7. ^ WWE ID [@WWEID] (July 20, 2025). "The match to determine the first WWE ID Men's Champion is set. Cappuccino Jones vs. Jack Cartwheel. August 1st - Rutherford, NJ - @GCWrestling_ presents the ID Showcase" (Tweet). Retrieved July 22, 2025 – via Twitter.
  8. ^ Flanagan, Neal (August 1, 2025). "Inaugural WWE ID Women's and Men's Champions are crowned". POST Wrestling. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
  9. ^ Berman IV, Ross W (April 2, 2025). "WWE ID Championship Tournament Format Details Revealed, First Match Signed". Wrestling Inc. Retrieved April 2, 2025.
  10. ^ WWE ID [@WWEID] (July 8, 2025). "BREAKING NEWS.... The quarterfinals and semi-finals of the WWE ID Men's Title Tournament will be July 19th in Orlando, FL when HOC presents The ID Showcase! The matches will be: Quarterfinal: Jack Cartwheel vs. Sean Legacy Semi-Final: Brad Baylor vs. Cartwheel/Legacy winner. Quarterfinal: Bryce Donovan vs. Cappuccino Jones Semi-Final: Ice Williams vs. Donovan/Jones winner. Baylor and Williams are receiving byes to the Semi-Finals due to having the best records in the Opening Round. Tickets & Info" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  11. ^ WWE ID [@WWEID] (July 8, 2025). "BREAKING NEWS.... The first WWE ID Champions will be determined on August 1st during #SummerSlam weekend in Rutherford, NJ when @GCWrestling_ presents The ID Showcase! The Women's ID Championship will be determined in a Triple Threat Match! It will be Kylie Rae vs. Zara Zakher vs. Zayda Steel. The Men's ID Championship will be a singles match. The participants will be determined on July 19th when House Of Champions presents The ID Showcase in Orlando. Tickets & Info" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  12. ^ a b c d Vetter, Chris (July 21, 2025). "World Wrestling Network "ID Showcase" results (7/19): Vetter's review of Jackson Drake vs. Timothy Thatcher for the WWE Evolve Title, ID tournament quarterfinal and semifinal matches". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  13. ^ Vetter, Chris (August 1, 2025). "GCW "ID Showcase" results (8/1): Vetter's review of Jack Cartwheel vs. Cappuccino Jones for the WWE ID Title, Kylie Rae vs. Zayda Steel vs. Zara Zakher for the WWE Women's ID Title". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved August 2, 2025.
  14. ^ WWE ID [@WWEID] (June 10, 2025). "NEWS ALERT.... The WWE ID Men's Title Tournament Double Elimination Opening Round is over. We are down to the final six. They will now compete in a single elimination tournament. More information will be announced soon. The current records are: Aaron Roberts (1-2) - ELIMINATED, Aaron Rouke (1-2) - ELIMINATED, Brad Baylor (3-1), Bryce Donovan (1-0), Cappuccino Jones (2-1), It's Gal (1-2) - ELIMINATED, Ice Williams (3-1), Jack Cartwheel (2-0), Jackson Drake (1-0) - Removed from tournament due to becoming WWE EVOLVE Champion, Jordan Oasis (1-2) - ELIMINATED, Marcus Mathers (1-2) - ELIMINATED, Ricky Smokes (0-2) - ELIMINATED, Sam Holloway (0-2) – ELIMINATED, Sean Legacy (2-1)" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  15. ^ WWE ID [@WWEID] (May 11, 2025). "BREAKING UPDATE.... Jack Cartwheel defeated Cappuccino Jones at @TheOfficialROW yesterday in a WWE ID Title Tournament Opening Round Match. The Opening Round of the WWE ID Men's Title Tournament is double elimination. The Opening Round will continue until the field is reduced to the final six, who will then compete in a single elimination tournament. The two participants with the most wins will receive byes to the semi-finals in the single elimination tournament. Here are the current standings: The WWE ID Title Tournaments will continue on June 8th at @NYWCWRESTLING WWE ID Opening Round Men's Records: Aaron Roberts (1-1), Aaron Rouke (1-1), Brad Baylor (0-1), Bryce Donovan (0-0), Cappuccino Jones (1-1), Freedom Ramsey (0-1), Gal Barkay (1-1), Ice Williams (2-0), Jack Cartwheel (1-0), Jackson Drake (1-0), Jordan Oasis (1-1), Marcus Mathers (1-1), Ricky Smokes (0-1), Sam Holloway (0-2) - ELIMINATED, Sean Legacy (1-0) More info on the Women's WWE ID Title Tournament coming soon" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  16. ^ Freedom Ramsey [@freedomramsey] (May 26, 2025). "Video" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  17. ^ Chiari, Mike. "Photo: Triple H Unveils Men's and Women's WWE ID Championship Belts". Bleacher Report. Retrieved February 18, 2025.
  18. ^ Vetter, Chris (August 1, 2025). "GCW "ID Showcase" results (8/1): Vetter's review of Jack Cartwheel vs. Cappuccino Jones for the WWE ID Title, Kylie Rae vs. Zayda Steel vs. Zara Zakher for the WWE Women's ID Title". Pro Wrestling Dot Net. Retrieved August 2, 2025.
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