Egyptian champion, German CrossFit star, and Swedish powerlifting standout join WWE’s developmental system in major roster boost.
WWE NXT is expanding its global footprint once again. Reports indicate the developmental brand has signed three promising international athletes to contracts. The moves come as NXT continues to refresh its roster with fresh talent from around the world.
According to industry sources, the signings were confirmed this week following successful tryouts last summer. The new recruits include an accomplished wrestler from Egypt, a top CrossFit competitor from Germany, and a record-holding strength athlete from Sweden. All three impressed officials during WWE’s SummerSlam 2025 tryout events.
The first signee is Ahmed Essam, an Egyptian wrestler and MMA fighter. He arrives with an impressive résumé that includes two-time African Champion, two-time Arab Wrestling Champion, World Wrestling Champion, and Egyptian Champion titles. Essam attended the SummerSlam 2025 tryouts and has already begun training alongside fellow Egyptian Shady Elnahas, who joined NXT last year.
Next is Delia Schweizer, a standout German CrossFit athlete. She also earned her deal after shining at the same SummerSlam tryouts. Schweizer later shared her excitement on social media, calling the experience “one of the most amazing experiences and opportunities” of her life and adding that she is “falling in love” with the sport of professional wrestling.
Rounding out the trio is Ellen B. Akesson from Sweden. The national arm-wrestling champion also holds titles in powerlifting, strongwoman, and streetlifting. She is recognized as Sweden’s strongest woman in the under-63kg division and maintains an active presence as a Twitch streamer.
These signings were first reported by PWInsider Elite and quickly spread across wrestling news outlets. WWE has not yet issued an official announcement, but the talent are expected to report to the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, in the coming weeks.
Background on NXT’s international push
WWE NXT has made international recruitment a priority in recent years. The brand serves as the primary development territory for future main-roster stars. Under the leadership of Triple H and Shawn Michaels, NXT has welcomed athletes from Europe, Asia, Africa, and beyond to create a more diverse and competitive roster.
Previous international additions, including talents from France, Spain, and other regions, have already begun making impacts on weekly television. The addition of these three athletes continues that trend and aligns with WWE’s broader strategy to grow its audience worldwide.
The Performance Center provides top-tier training in wrestling, strength and conditioning, and media skills. New signees typically spend months honing their craft before debuting on NXT programming.
Reactions from the wrestling community
While WWE remains quiet on the signings, early buzz among fans and insiders is positive. Delia Schweizer’s public comments highlight the life-changing nature of the opportunity. Many observers note Ahmed Essam’s connection to Shady Elnahas as a potential storyline catalyst and a boost for international representation.
No official comments have surfaced from the new talents yet, but wrestling forums and social media are already speculating about their ring names and debut timelines.
What may happen next
The three athletes will now enter full-time training at the Performance Center. WWE often fast-tracks standout prospects, so fans could see them in dark matches or live event appearances within months.
NXT television regularly features vignettes and in-ring debuts for new signees. Given their unique backgrounds in combat sports, CrossFit, and strength athletics, each brings a different skill set that could translate well to WWE-style storytelling.
Industry watchers expect these signings to strengthen NXT’s midcard and women’s division while adding fresh international flavor to storylines.
Conclusion
WWE NXT’s reported signing of Ahmed Essam, Delia Schweizer, and Ellen B. Akesson marks another step in the brand’s commitment to global talent development. These three international standouts bring championship pedigrees and athletic excellence to Orlando. As they begin their journeys at the Performance Center, the wrestling world will be watching closely. NXT continues to evolve, and these additions signal exciting times ahead for fans eager for new stars to emerge.
