QT Marshall addresses the new WWE ID program.
Last week, WWE announced the launch of its Independent Development (WWE ID) program, which will support independent wrestling schools and talent through “world-class training, development and mentorship.” With that, WWE aims to mold more potential WWE Superstars.
One of the schools granted the WWE ID designation is Cody Rhodes‘ Nightmare Factory, which also features AEW’s QT Marshall as a trainer. Naturally, this development has led to questions about the implications it may have for Marshall, specifically as he and Rhodes are employed by competing companies. According to Marshall, Rhodes purposely kept his name out of the corresponding press releases.
“When Cody explained it to me, he was very smart about not putting me in the press releases. He didn’t want any kind of drama for me,” Marshall told The Takeover On SI. “And I told Tony [Khan], Cody has his own camps. It’s always been like that where I’ve been a coach, but these are his camps. These are all his kids. They’re from scratch. I’ve always trained people for the most part in a night class with Billy Gunn. And before Billy, it was just myself. But I like more of the experienced guys and girls, whereas Cody likes to get them when they’re like brand new. So it was a little weird at first when he went to WWE.”
“Now, I mean, of course that the WWE is involved, I don’t understand what is going on. I didn’t look into it as much. The reason I want to look into it is because I have every single student we’ve ever had has been messaging me, but I don’t know the answer. So I don’t know what their whole deal is, what that involves. I read the press release as well.”
Marshall Is Taking A Break From Coaching
Currently, the Nightmare Factory is based in the Atlanta area, about two hours away from Rhodes’ residence. About six months ago, though, Marshall put the training building up for sale, with the intention of Rhodes opening up a new compound closer to him. Initially, Marshall offered to run a night class at this potential new compound. Three months ago, however, Marshall made the decision to take a break from coaching due to his hectic schedule.
“I just want to relax and figure out what else is there, and maybe find the passion for coaching again. It’s been a wild couple of days,” Marshall said. “I didn’t really know what was going on. And I understand from Cody’s point of view. He’s sworn a kind of secrecy and stuff because, who knows if maybe it’s such a cool thing that they’re doing that we would have wanted to jump on it. I don’t know. Cody and I, we just have more of a friend relationship than professional at this point.”
