Another notable departure shakes WWE’s developmental landscape as Bryce Donovan announces he is no longer part of the WWE ID program and WWE EVOLVE brand. Donovan, a promising talent who joined WWE’s developmental initiative last year, confirmed his exit via social media, ending his chapter with the industry giant as he contemplates his next career move.
Bryce Donovan’s Departure Announcement
On October 16, 2025, Bryce Donovan took to X (formerly Twitter) to share a succinct but heartfelt farewell to WWE’s ID and EVOLVE brands. His message read:
“Finale. I will no longer be with WWE ID or Evolve. Thanks for the good time everyone. Learned a lot especially from @TheRealXPac who’s the best coach anyone could ask for. I’ll let you know what’s happening next when I decide—or maybe I won’t, idk yet ✌️.”[1][3][7]
The post reflected Donovan’s gratitude for the chance to hone his craft under the WWE umbrella and highlighted the mentorship of WWE Hall of Famer Sean “X-Pac” Waltman, who has served as a key coach within WWE ID.
Career Progression Within WWE EVOLVE and ID
Bryce Donovan, originally hailing from Long Beach, New York, entered WWE’s developmental spotlight in November 2024 as a member of the innovative WWE ID program. This initiative aims to nurture independent stars by providing financial support and developmental resources, while also allowing WWE to monitor and potentially sign these talents to their NXT brand full-time.
Prior to joining WWE ID, Donovan had built a reputation as a dynamic performer on the Northeast independent scene, showcasing a mix of charisma and powerful in-ring offense. His time in the ID program included competing regularly on the WWE EVOLVE brand, a WWE-backed promotion that serves as a proving ground for emerging talent.
Donovan’s latest notable appearance was on EVOLVE Episode 33: Succession, where he challenged reigning EVOLVE Champion Jackson Drake in a high-profile title match taped at WWE’s Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. Despite a hard-fought effort, Donovan fell short of capturing the championship, marking a significant moment in his WWE developmental career. Earlier in the year, he also made a strong run in the WWE ID Championship Tournament, advancing to the quarterfinals before losing to Cappuccino Jones at the WWN/HOC ID Showcase in July[1][4].
WWE ID Program Context and Departures
Donovan’s exit follows a series of departures from the WWE ID program, which has seen several talents leave either due to non-renewal of contracts or personal decisions. Names such as Zayda Steel, Kylie Rae, Zara Zakher, Aaron Roberts, Ice Williams, and Jordan Oasis have all recently parted ways with WWE ID, signaling ongoing roster shakes as WWE evaluates its developmental prospects[4].
A WWE insider shared, “The ID program remains a priority for WWE, but it’s clear they’re continually assessing talent fit and trajectory. Bryce showed promise, but sometimes both sides feel it’s best to move on. His appreciation for X-Pac’s coaching shows the quality of mentorship WWE provides, even if the path forward now diverges.”
The ID program itself, designed to be a bridge between the independent wrestling world and WWE’s full-time developmental system, is far from ending. New talent signings are expected to be unveiled soon, maintaining WWE’s commitment to scouting and developing emerging stars.
What’s Next for Bryce Donovan?
Bryce Donovan’s cryptic statement about his future — “I’ll let you know what’s happening next when I decide or maybe I won’t idk yet” — has left fans buzzing about his next steps. With experience in major indie promotions and exposure on AEW Dark before joining WWE ID, Donovan’s versatile profile means the wrestling world will be watching to see if he returns to the independent circuit, explores other major promotions, or perhaps even takes time off to recalibrate his career.
Industry observers speculate that Donovan’s former WWE developmental coach, Sean Waltman, might continue to mentor him outside the confines of WWE, given their close working relationship.
WWE’s Developmental Crossroads
Donovan’s departure underscores the challenging nature of WWE’s developmental system, especially a relatively new initiative like WWE ID. While the program provides valuable financial and mentoring resources, not every talent will find a long-term place in WWE’s vast ecosystem.
As WWE enters a transitional phase with their NXT and developmental brands, keeping an eye on such emerging talent and departures will be crucial in evaluating the program’s overall success.
Final Thoughts
Bryce Donovan’s exit from WWE ID and EVOLVE adds to the ongoing narrative of roster changes within WWE’s developmental territories. His gratitude toward the organization and coach X-Pac reflects the professionalism and positive experiences he garnered, even as he moves away from WWE.
Whether Donovan returns to the independent scene, joins another promotion, or remains in hiatus remains to be seen. As one WWE insider noted, “Wrestling careers are rarely linear—it’s not goodbye, but a ‘see you later’ in many cases.”
Fans and industry watchers should stay tuned for any announcements from Donovan about his future plans.
This development marks another turning point for young talents navigating WWE’s developmental landscape, with WWE’s ID program continuing to evolve even amid departures like Donovan’s.