WWE Welcomes Two New Stars: A Gymnast and a Football Player Join the Roster

WWE's Newest Recruits

WWE has officially signed two new prospects who participated in the tryouts held during the Summerslam 2025 weekend, as confirmed by PWInsiderElite.com. The new additions, Jessica Bogdanov and Cyrus Habibi-Likio, come from backgrounds in gymnastics and football, respectively, and are set to embark on their journeys within the WWE NXT and Performance Center system.

Meet Jessica Bogdanov

Jessica Bogdanov boasts an impressive athletic resume, having represented the United States in gymnastics at the Pan American Games in 2011. During this prestigious event, she was part of a successful team effort, earning a silver medal in the 5 balls group competition and also securing bronze medals in the 3 ribbons and 2 hoops events. Her athletic prowess doesn't end there; in 2015, she transitioned to become the Freestyle Calisthenics World Champion, showcasing her strength and dynamic ability.

View some of Jessica's incredible moments in gymnastics

Following her Pan American Games success, she competed in the 2012 USA Gymnastics Rhythmic Championships, further solidifying her reputation as a multifaceted athlete. Now, as she steps into the WWE universe, fans are eager to see how her gymnastics experience translates into the ring.

Cyrus Habibi-Likio's Journey

On the other hand, Cyrus Habibi-Likio comes from a football background, adding to the long tradition of gridiron athletes transitioning to wrestling. He's made waves by documenting his journey on social media, regularly vlogging about his aspirations and his preparations for the WWE tryouts.

Catch a glimpse of Cyrus's journey leading up to this moment

His inspiration to join WWE sparked after attending Wrestlemania 41 in Las Vegas last year, where he first caught the attention of a WWE recruiter through the videos he produced about that trip. This path has culminated in his official signing and marks a thrilling new chapter in his career.

Training at the Performance Center

Both Bogdanov and Habibi-Likio will be joining the latest class of athletes at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. They will train alongside other recent signees announced in October, including international independent wrestling standouts Zozaya, Aigle Blanc, and Mike D Vecchio. This influx of talent highlights WWE's commitment to nurturing diverse athletic backgrounds to enhance its roster.

As part of their training, Bogdanov and Habibi-Likio will be involved in NXT live events around Florida, aiming to develop their in-ring skills. Zozaya and Aigle Blanc have already begun making their mark, competing in tag team matches and demonstrating the breadth of talent now in WWE's developmental system.

A New Era for WWE?

With these dynamic recruits, WWE continues to evolve, blending various sporting disciplines into its storytelling universe. The signing of athletes like Bogdanov and Habibi-Likio isn't just about physical prowess, but also about narratives that resonate with a broad audience. This strategy could position WWE to capture the imaginations of younger fans looking for diverse talent and backgrounds in wrestling.

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Key Facts

WWE's New Recruits: WWE has signed gymnast Jessica Bogdanov and football player Cyrus Habibi-Likio.
Jessica Bogdanov's Achievements: Jessica Bogdanov earned a silver medal at the 2011 Pan American Games and became the Freestyle Calisthenics World Champion in 2015.
Cyrus Habibi-Likio's Inspiration: Cyrus Habibi-Likio was inspired to join WWE after attending Wrestlemania 41.
Training Location: Both athletes will train at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida.
Class Members: Bogdanov and Habibi-Likio join other recent signees including Zozaya, Aigle Blanc, and Mike D Vecchio.
Signing Announcement: WWE's recruitment of these athletes was confirmed during Summerslam 2025 tryouts.

Background

The signing of Jessica Bogdanov and Cyrus Habibi-Likio marks WWE's commitment to diversifying its talent pool by incorporating athletes from various sports backgrounds.

Quick Answers

Who are the new WWE signees?: The new WWE signees are gymnast Jessica Bogdanov and football player Cyrus Habibi-Likio.
What achievements does Jessica Bogdanov have?: Jessica Bogdanov earned a silver medal at the 2011 Pan American Games and became the Freestyle Calisthenics World Champion in 2015.
What motivated Cyrus Habibi-Likio to join WWE?: Cyrus Habibi-Likio was motivated to join WWE after attending Wrestlemania 41 in Las Vegas.
Where will the new WWE recruits train?: The new recruits will train at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida.
What recent talents are joining the WWE Performance Center?: Other recent talents joining the WWE Performance Center include Zozaya, Aigle Blanc, and Mike D Vecchio.
When was the signing of new recruits announced?: The signing of new recruits was announced during the Summerslam 2025 tryouts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What diverse backgrounds do the new WWE recruits come from?

Jessica Bogdanov comes from a gymnastics background, while Cyrus Habibi-Likio has a football background.

How does WWE plan to develop its new signees?

WWE plans to develop its new signees through training at the Performance Center and by involving them in NXT live events.

Source reference: https://www.newsweek.com/sports/wrestling/wwe-reportedly-signs-two-new-wrestlers-11049851