Conan Lycan’s relationship with WWE just became a lot more official. After popping up in front of WWE crowds and getting several opportunities behind the scenes, Lycan was informed by AJ Styles on the October 7 episode of WWE EVOLVE that he has officially landed a WWE ID contract.
Styles delivered the news directly to Lycan during the show, giving the independent wrestler a major career milestone after months of appearing on WWE’s radar. WWE ID contracts are designed to give selected independent wrestlers a direct developmental connection to the company while they continue gaining experience.
Lycan has already been getting looks from WWE before the contract announcement. Ringside News covered Lycan defeating Marcus Mathers in a non-televised match before the October 6 episode of WWE NXT, just one night before his WWE ID status was revealed.
That wasn’t his first time working in front of WWE officials either. Lycan, who has also competed under the name Mariano, previously defeated Brooks Jensen during a non-televised match before the September 8 episode of NXT, with Ringside News noting at the time that he had also participated in WWE’s SummerSlam tryouts.
Lycan made his in-ring debut near the end of 2018 and has built his name across the independent scene with promotions including ETU, Limitless Wrestling and CSW. He is also a three-time CSW Heavyweight Champion and previously worked multiple TNA Xplosion matches in 2024.
Having AJ Styles deliver the announcement also fits with the veteran’s increasing involvement around WWE’s developmental system. Styles has spent time around both NXT and EVOLVE, and he previously revealed that he even helped produce a WWE EVOLVE match while learning more about the backstage side of the business. Ringside News
Lycan has spent months showing WWE what he can do, and now there is an actual contract attached to those opportunities. Getting the news directly from AJ Styles only made the moment bigger as WWE continues locking down talent it believes could have a future inside its system.
What do you think about Conan Lycan landing a WWE ID deal, and do you think he has what it takes to eventually move from EVOLVE into NXT full-time? Let us know your thoughts and feedback in the comments.
