Zoey Stark speaks on her comments regarding WWE recruits that say wrestling is just an option for them.
WWE's NIL program, Next In Line, has provided a pipeline for collegiate athletes to pursue the world of sports entertainment, potentially should their desired career path not work out for them.
During tryouts that took place ahead of WWE SummerSlam 2023, Stark commented during an interview with The Messenger that it is a pet peeve of hers when athletes that are trying out for WWE proclaim that this is "only an option" for them.
Like many others in WWE, Stark started on the independent circuit and dreamed of one day making it to WWE. In a new interview with Sean Ross Sapp, also recorded during SummerSlam weekend, Stark clarified her remarks, saying that she doesn't have a problem with collegiate athletes coming into WWE. She just wants individuals to be better prepared for the world they are coming into.
"That's the thing, passion, that's the main word, right? Bring in the athletes. That's great. I have nothing against the NIL or anything like that. It's just, what do you do when you have a job interview? You look up the company. You know who the boss is. You know who the owner is. You know a little bit about what's going on. You don't have to know the history, but you do your research. So when people don't do the research, it's just like, 'Man, you knew this tryout has been coming for months. Just do a little research. That's all I ask," she said.
The WWE NIL program has produced some stars that are now making their way onto the NXT roster, including Tank Ledger. The NIL program has also opened the door for the Cavinder Twins, Hanna & Hayley, who have begun their WWE journey recently.
The WWE NIL program was also the first step to getting Gable Steveson into WWE. Stevenson recently debuted at the 2023 NXT Great American Bash. Check out Kurt Angle's comments on that debut here.
