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What should have been an opportunity for Zayn to solidify his place in a major WrestleMania 41 storyline has instead turned him into an afterthought. Owens and Orton are heading toward a high-stakes clash, and despite Zayn’s history with both men, he’s been sidelined, leaving his road to WrestleMania uncertain.

WWE’s Independent Development program, or WWE ID for short, was launched last fall as a complement to the NIL one the company’s had for college athletes and other non-wrestlers since 2021. Both are ways for people interested in exploring a WWE career to do so without either they or the company making a full contractual commitment.