Sam “Hardway” Holloway announced on Monday, October 12, 2026, that he is no longer part of the WWE ID program, bringing an end to a two-year association with the developmental initiative.
Holloway shared the news directly with fans on social media, writing, “My time in the WWE ID Program has come to an end. Thank you for an incredible two years filled with unforgettable experiences, opportunities, and lessons that will stay with me throughout my career.” The statement marks the first public confirmation from Holloway himself regarding the split, and both Fightful and POST Wrestling reported on his announcement shortly after it was posted.
WWE ID functions as a partnership program that allows WWE to work with independent wrestlers who remain free to compete for other promotions while gaining access to WWE resources, training opportunities, and exposure. Talents in the program are not signed to full WWE contracts, which means Holloway’s exit does not represent a release in the traditional sense but rather the conclusion of that specific developmental arrangement.
Holloway is known to wrestling audiences as an EVOLVE alum, having built part of his reputation on the independent scene before entering the WWE ID pipeline. His two-year tenure in the program would have placed his entry around 2024, though the exact terms of his involvement and the reasons behind the departure were not detailed in his statement.
Neither Holloway nor WWE provided additional specifics on what prompted the end of the arrangement, nor has any statement been issued regarding his next steps in the wrestling industry. As of this report, there is no confirmation of a move to another promotion or a return to strictly independent competition, and fans will need to watch for further announcements from Holloway to learn what comes next in his career.
The WWE ID program has served as a talent pipeline for numerous independent performers in recent years, and departures like Holloway’s are not uncommon as wrestlers’ arrangements run their course or evolve. His exit adds his name to the list of performers who have passed through the program before moving on to other opportunities.
