In early 2026, WWE has added three international athletes to its NXT development brand, continuing its focus on future stars. The newly signed wrestlers are Egyptian Ahmed Essam, German Delia Schweitzer, and Swedish Ellen B. Akesson. These signings highlight WWE’s ongoing efforts to bring diverse international talent into their ranks, with the goal of strengthening NXT’s competitive roster.
Background and Experience of the New Signings
Ahmed Essam comes with a strong foundation in amateur wrestling and powerlifting. His amateur wrestling credentials include multiple titles, such as two African Championships, two Arab Wrestling Championships, and championships at both the world and Egyptian national level. Essam’s athleticism is grounded in these achievements, setting him apart as the most wrestling-experienced of the trio.
Delia Schweitzer, from Germany, is primarily known for her involvement in CrossFit. Though details about her previous wrestling activity are limited, her athletic skills through CrossFit position her well for the rigors of professional wrestling training.
Ellen B. Akesson, hailing from Sweden, is recognized for her accomplishments in strength sports. She is a World Champion Arm Wrestler and has national champion titles in powerlifting, streetlifting, and strongwoman competitions. Akesson also maintains a digital presence as a Twitch streamer under the username EllenViking. While Essam and Schweitzer participated in WWE’s SummerSlam tryouts last year, it remains unknown if Akesson took part in those sessions.
Prospects and Next Steps for the New Recruits
At this stage, it is not confirmed whether the three athletes have started training at the WWE Performance Center or will join at a later time. WWE’s investment in these international signings reflects a strategic approach to building future stars with diverse athletic backgrounds. Their progress within NXT will be observed closely by fans and industry analysts as WWE continues reshaping its talent pipeline in anticipation of future wrestling seasons.
