WWE has named an official MVP for its SummerSlam week talent tryouts held in New Jersey. In a post on social media on Friday, the company announced that London-based independent wrestler Rayne Leverkusen was selected as the standout performer of the week.
Rayne Leverkusen Named Tryout MVP
In a video posted to the WWE Recruit Instagram page, Leverkusen was shown being named the MVP of the tryouts. “Closing out the #WWE SummerSlam 2025 Tryout with our MVP! Congratulations Rayne and great work to all of the athletes who participated this week!” WWE wrote in the caption. Leverkusen is a regular performer for top UK promotions such as PROGRESS and EVE. This marks the first time WWE has publicly announced an MVP for a tryout session.
A Star-Studded Group Of Prospects
The tryouts featured a diverse group of talent from around the world. According to reports, other participants included Irish independent star LJ Cleary (the fiancé of WWE’s Lyra Valkyria), the nearly seven-foot-tall Ben Bishop, Goldenboy Santos, Omari, and influencer Meghan Walker, among others.
The selection of an established international independent star like Leverkusen as the tryout MVP reinforces recent reports about WWE’s evolving recruitment strategy. The company is reportedly shifting to a more “open minded” approach, actively seeking out experienced independent wrestlers from around the world to complement their traditional pipeline of college athletes. Leverkusen’s recognition is a clear sign of this new philosophy in action.
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