WWE talent scout Gabe Sapolsky has some advice for independent wrestlers thinking about signing contracts, and he’s making it clear that getting signed isn’t always the smartest move. The longtime wrestling executive says talent needs to think about their future instead of jumping at an offer just to say they’re under contract.
On November 10, 2026, Sapolsky took to Twitter to share seven things wrestlers should consider before signing with a promotion. His comments came amid online discussions about MLW contracts, although he didn’t mention MLW or any specific company by name. Sapolsky started by explaining that wrestlers should find out exactly what a company has planned for them and whether signing will actually help their careers.
“Things to consider when signing a contract:
-Ask what their plans are for you. This will immediately tell you if it’s a good opportunity
-Is there upward mobility not just in the promotion, but for the future in your career
-Who will you get to learn from and work with (1/3)”
He then turned his attention to the actual contract terms, warning wrestlers to understand what they’re giving up before putting pen to paper. Sapolsky also made one thing very clear: signing a deal just to brag about being signed is a terrible reason to do it.
“-The devil is in the details. What are the limitations and what freedoms do you have
-Are you signing it just to be “signed.” Not a good reason.
-What benefits will you gain that you would miss out on if you don’t sign
-What’s your gut feeling on it? Follow your heart. (2/3)”
Sapolsky wasn’t finished there. In another post, he acknowledged that sharing his opinion on social media might come back to bite him, taking a shot at people who discuss the wrestling business without knowing how things actually work.
“I’m sure I’ll regret posting this since this app is mostly people talking about things that they have no real knowledge of, but think they do. Will delete soon probably.”
Sapolsky has plenty of experience when it comes to signing and developing wrestling talent. He previously worked behind the scenes in ECW, helped build Ring of Honor, and ran Dragon Gate USA and EVOLVE before joining WWE.
He currently works with WWE’s talent development system, including WWE ID and WWE Evolve. As Ringside News previously covered, WWE ID contracts have also generated questions about what opportunities and restrictions come with signing developmental agreements.
Sapolsky’s message is pretty simple. Just because a wrestling company offers someone a contract doesn’t mean it’s automatically a good deal. Getting signed might sound great, but if there isn’t a real plan for your career or the agreement limits your options, that signature could end up doing more harm than good.
What do you think about Gabe Sapolsky’s advice to independent wrestlers? Should talent be more careful about signing contracts, or is getting signed by a major promotion worth taking the risk? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
