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As the bright lights of WrestleMania Week descend on Las Vegas, the wrestling world’s eyes are naturally drawn to Allegiant Stadium. But just a few miles down the Strip, a different kind of spotlight is forming—one reserved for the future of the industry.
Zayda Steel, one of WWE ID’s breakout stars, plans to step into that light.
This week, Steel competes in the inaugural WWE ID Women’s Championship Tournament, which kicks off Wednesday night at The Palms as part of Game Changer Wrestling’s Collective lineup, and continues Friday night at the FSW Arena—both events streaming live on TrillerTV+. It’s the culmination of a whirlwind year for Steel, who has already become one of the names featured prominently in the WWE ID pipeline.
“I’m booked and busy,” Steel laughed during an exclusive conversation with PWInsiderElite.com. “I’ve got eight matches this week, but I’m the real deal. I’m ready for this.
Steel’s wrestling journey began like many—watching alongside her older brother as a kid. But it wasn’t until she saw AJ Lee and Sasha Banks on her screen that she felt the pull to be part of the action herself.
“They made me believe it was possible,” Steel said. “AJ Lee especially. I saw her and thought, ‘I don’t just want to be a fan anymore—I want to be in that ring.’”
Steel’s journey to WWE ID has been a series of landmark opportunities: a tour of Japan with the Marigold promotion, time with MLW, and finally a seat at the WWE ID table, where she became the first official roster member. Now, she’s facing Kylie Rae in the opening round of the WWE ID Women’s Championship Tournament, a bout that easily could have been the tournament final on paper.
“Kylie’s amazing. She’s been everywhere and done everything,” Steel said. “But I’ve beaten her before, and I’m planning to do it again. It’s not going to be easy, but nothing about this week is.”
Steel has become a fixture at WWE EVOLVE on Tubi, allowing her the chance to train and work regularly with Shawn Michaels, Matt Bloom, and the WWE Performance Center staff. It's an experience she doesn’t take lightly.
“It’s surreal. I walk in and I’m working with people I used to watch on TV. I try to act like I belong, but inside, I’m freaking out,” she admitted. “I still feel like I’m learning every single day.”
The WWE ID program and the weekly EVOLVE series has offered Steel and her peers opportunities few independent wrestlers could have imagined just a few years ago. For someone who got her start in small Virginia gyms, the adjustment to TV cameras, live promos, and WWE-level production has been intense—but rewarding.
“Everything’s different on TV,” she said. “Shawn [Michaels] pulled us aside once and said, ‘It’s going to feel weird facing a camera and talking to someone off-center, but trust me—it won’t look weird on screen.’ It’s a whole new way of thinking.
Despite her growing presence in WWE’s orbit, Steel still balances her time with lots of indie dates across the country.. She's regularly wrestling for GCW and other promotions while recovering from Performance Center training and EVOLVE matches.
“I’m still getting used to the switch—TV wrestling one day, back to a VFW hall the next,” she said. “But it keeps me sharp. You can’t get comfortable. Every crowd, every match is different.”
Steel says her time in Japan and MLW helped prepare her for the WWE spotlight.
“MLW gave me a crash course in promos, scripts, TV pacing. Japan toughened me up physically. I was wrestling people who didn’t speak English, getting beat up every week. But it changed my brain—when I got back, everything felt easier.”
While Steel exudes swagger in the ring, she admits that confidence is still a work in progress.
“I fake it. That’s the truth,” she said. “Social media doesn’t help—there’s so much negativity. But I listen to music, I pray, and I remind myself of who I am. I’m not naturally confident, but I’ve learned to perform like I am.”
Steel credits Sasha Banks, AJ Styles, and Candice LeRae as key inspirations, often revisiting their matches for motivation.
“Sasha’s my comfort wrestler. Even if I’m not copying her, I pick up little details just by watching.”
In addition to her solo ambitions, Steel is a key member of Vanity Project, a prominent faction on WWE Evolve TV. The group dynamic has allowed her to experiment with character work while supporting a larger collective.
“There’s no leader in Vanity Project—we all elevate each other,” she said. “I’ve always loved factions like TNA with Trish or Alexa Bliss with her guys. It’s fun, it’s different, and it’s helped me grow.”
Steel’s schedule this week is relentless:
-April 16: WWE ID Tournament – Opening Round vs. Kylie Rae (GCW at The Palms, 4 PM PT)
-April 18:
*Texas Wrestling Cartel – vs. Izzy
*New Texas Pro Wrestling – Women’s Championship Match
-April 20: FSW’s Women Under 25 Tournament – Triple Threat vs. Carolina Cruz and Aya
-April 20: GCW Clusterf*** Battle Royal
“I’m chasing two titles this weekend—the FSW Women’s Title and the WWE ID Women’s Championship,” Steel said. “And yeah, I’m also doing the Clusterf***. So don’t be surprised if I’m throwing people out at midnight.”
More than just bragging rights are on the line in the WWE ID Women’s Tournament. According to Gabe Sapolsky, whoever defeats the inaugural champion—whenever that happens—will earn a WWE contract.
“That lit a fire under me,” Steel said. “Because I’ll be damned if someone else gets a contract off my back. If I win the belt, I’m holding onto it for dear life. You better believe there’s going to be surprises. People trying to sneak in. I already know folks who aren’t even booked are plotting something. I’ve got tricks up my sleeve too. GCW doesn’t have rules, right?”
Through all the matches, travel, and chaos, Steel remains focused on the long game.
“Wrestling gave me an escape when I was a shy kid with no friends,” she said. “Now, I get to travel the country, perform, and be the superhero I wish I had growing up. That’s everything.”
For fans wondering if WWE ID and Evolve are worth watching amid all the WrestleMania noise, Steel has a simple pitch:
“This is where the future is. WWE ID is building something special, and we’re just getting started. Don’t miss history.”
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