A WWE scout with over three decades of experience has revealed what he’s looking for when it comes to finding future stars.
Gabe Sapolsky returned to WWE in 2022, joining the creative team once again and later overseeing the WWE ID program, with a focus on providing independent wrestling stars with a pathway to a potential signing.
Serving as the talent scout for the North American region, Sapolsky recently shared an insight into what he looks when it comes to identifying potential future stars.
In a video shared on Twitter and recorded during the recent round of tryouts, Sapolsky identified a number of the traits, along with fundamental skills, that could catch his eye, saying:
“I’ve been in the professional wrestling industry for thirty-three years, starting with ECW in 1993, and I now work for WWE as a talent scout in the North American region, as well as working on the Evolve show and WWE ID.
“What stands out for me are unique qualities. I’m looking for an “it factor”, but at the same time I’m looking for strong fundamentals; I’m looking for strikes that I still believe, I’m still a fan at the end of the day, so when I see a good strike, I still go “oh”, I still react to it. When I see a hold that looks like it hurts, I still cringe just like a fan, just like when I was fifteen years old. And when I’m buying it like that, I know my superiors will also buy it. I know the fans, the WWE Universe, will also buy it.
“So, I’m looking for those strong fundamental qualities, and then I’m looking for people who add character to it, who add uniqueness to it, who add to personality to it. I always say, “We’re not in the good wrestler business here.” Being a great wrestler is part of what gets you in the door, but we are in the superstar business.
“Getting all that wrestling down, being cool, being different, that is all part of it. What really matters at the end of the day is what makes you a one-of-one after you’ve accomplished all that.
“At the end of the day, I want to put two qualities in front of the coaches at the PC: people who outworked everybody else and people who are coachable and listen and learn.”
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Sapolsky’s international talent scout counterpart, Jim Smallman, has also previously shared what he considers the “mystery ingredient” that he’s looking for from those he sees.
More Than Just The Wrestling
WWE has a long history of bringing in a combination of independent wrestling stars and elite athletes in their quest to build the stars of the future.
For some, their background may have little do with wrestling, but WWE scouts have identified the potential that may otherwise have been overlooked. Maxxine Dupri is just one recent example, being a former cheerleader and dancer before signing to a contract having attended a tryout in August 2021.
For talent with a professional wrestling background, capturing the attention of the scouts has to be quite the moment in their journey, even if it doesn’t lead to a contract offer. Knowing that they’re “known” is likely a foot in the door, with scouts providing feedback as part of the process. Even if it’s not a definitive “yes” right now, that doesn’t rule out the possibility of one in the future.
What WWE looks for has changed over time and, very much like the business itself, keeping up with what’s current can be a challenge for some, particularly as more “standouts” come onto the independent wrestling scene on a regular basis. With WWE Recruit sharing an insight into what their scouts are looking for, it’s yet another tool in the box for anyone hoping to secure a tryout and, potentially, a contract.
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