Some in WWE Were Reportedly “Dreading” Zoe Hines Situation Due To Her Ties To RFK Jr.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. recently confirmed that his niece, Zoe Hines, has signed a developmental contract with WWE, bringing her into the company’s training system tied to WWE NXT. It was reported that Linda McMahon helped finalize the opportunity.

According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the Zoe Hines situation has been discussed internally in WWE for months before the news of her signing became public. She participated in a WWE tryout at the Performance Center last August. WWE regularly recruits athletes from other sports backgrounds, particularly collegiate programs, as part of its developmental pipeline. Hines played softball at Boston College. During her collegiate career, she appeared in multiple seasons as a starter and competed internationally with the French national team. Her batting averages during those years were reported at .169 and .214 in consecutive seasons, reflecting a role primarily centered on defensive contributions.

The tryout itself reportedly didn’t go well and those involved involved in talent evaluation for WWE were reportedly “dreading” that they would have to try to make her into a star because of her political connections. Hines is the niece of actress Cheryl Hines, known for her role on Curb Your Enthusiasm, and of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., of the Kennedy family. RFK Jr. is the current United States Secretary of Health and Human Services under the Trump Administration.

Now that the contract is official, Hines will begin training within the company’s developmental system.