With the arrival of 2026, WWE has released many wrestlers from their roster or some have left on their own. Here is a list of some notable wrestlers, along with the reasons for their departure:
From 2006 to 2026, Kofi Kingston climbed the ladder of success in WWE, reaching new heights step by step. Due to his performance, he even won several WWE titles.
- Kofi Kingston made his debut on ECW on January 22, 2008, appearing under a "Jamaican" gimmick.
- Shortly after his ECW debut, Kofi moved to WWE Raw, where he won his first WWE Intercontinental Championship by defeating Chris Jericho.
- In late 2014, Kofi Kingston joined forces with Xavier Woods and Big E to form a tag team called The New Day. This team became a fan favorite and grew into one of the most famous teams in WWE history.
- In 2019, at WrestleMania 35, Kofi Kingston defeated Daniel Bryan to become the WWE Champion.
- Kofi Kingston holds the record in WWE history for winning the most Tag Team Championships.
- According to WWE reports, on May 2, WWE released Kofi Kingston because he chose not to sign a renewed contract.
From 2010 to 2026, Xavier Woods had an excellent run in WWE, especially in terms of tag team wrestling. Here are some of his notable career highlights:
- Xavier Woods made his debut in 2010 in WWE's first developmental territory, Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW), which later became NXT.
- In 2013, Xavier Woods teamed up with R-Truth to defeat 3MB in what was his WWE Raw debut match.
- In 2014, he joined forces with Big E and Kofi Kingston to form a team (The New Day) that enjoyed long-term success in WWE.
- He became a 13-time Tag Team Champion and also won the King of the Ring tournament in 2021.
- On May 2, 2026, after Kofi Kingston left WWE, the company reduced Xavier Woods' salary. Expressing his frustration over this, he voluntarily left WWE of his own accord.
JC Mateo’s time in WWE was very short; he didn't have a long tenure or any significant records, and he was released from WWE on May 2, 2026, leaving on a sad note.
- On May 10, 2025, he appeared at Backlash as a villain to help Solo Sikoa.
- He started his WWE run on SmackDown by joining the team "MFT".
- Since joining WWE, he has only competed in four singles matches.
- On May 2, 2026, WWE released him due to his contract expiring.
This was Tonga Loa's second time in WWE after leaving once before. He experienced both wins and losses during this run. Here is the story of his second debut, from joining The Bloodline until his release:
- On May 4, 2024, at Backlash in France, he made his second debut. During a match, he helped Tama Tonga and Solo Sikoa and joined The Bloodline.
- In August 2024, he won his first WWE Tag Team Championship alongside Tama Tonga.
- On May 2, 2026, WWE released him, handing him an expired contract.
Jelly Roll was a particularly interesting figure from 2024 to 2026, transitioning from his role as a singer to that of a wrestler.
- Jelly Roll made his debut at SummerSlam 2024, where he attacked Austin Theory and Grayson Waller with chairs.
- Following his debut, he focused heavily on his fitness and lost 160 lbs by 2026.
- He was on a part-time wrestler's contract until May 2, 2026; once the contract ended, he returned to his career as a singer.
Aleister Black debuted in NXT in 2017. After making a huge name for himself there, he moved up to the main roster in 2019.
- Between 2017 and 2019, he became the NXT Champion and built an undefeated streak, which made the fans love him even more.
- In February 2019, he debuted on Raw and teamed up with Ricochet to win the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.
- In 2026, he earned a reputation on the SmackDown main roster by having great matches against Randy Orton and Damian Priest.
- After being released once by WWE in June 2021, he was released from the company again on May 2, 2026.
If you look at it, Kairi Sane's focus was primarily on the tag team division from her 2019 debut to her 2026 release.
- On April 16, 2019, Kairi Sane debuted on an episode of SmackDown, teaming with Asuka to form The Kabuki Warriors.
- Together, they won the WWE Women's Tag Team Championship, which they held for quite a long time.
- But friends, Kairi Sane was not in WWE for the entirety of 2019–2026. After her 2019 debut, she left at the end of 2020 to go back to Japanese wrestling, only to resurface 3 years later as part of Damage CTRL in November 2023.
- An interesting point, which you might not have noticed or have forgotten, is that at the 2026 Royal Rumble, it was Kairi Sane who eliminated Asuka.
- And then on April 24, 2026, she was released from WWE. Note that according to reports, she left because she had a passion for Japanese wrestling.
- Regarding her WWE records, she was a one-time NXT Women's Champion and a three-time WWE Women's Tag Team Champion
When Erick Rowan debuted in WWE, he appeared as part of the Wyatt Family on July 8, 2013, on Raw, making an impact by attacking Kane.
- After his 2013 debut, he joined the Wyatt Family and preferred staying alongside Luke Harper and Bray Wyatt.
- And as you might know, after separating from Bray Wyatt, Luke Harper and Erick Rowan formed a team—what was their name again? Oh yes, I remember, the Bludgeon Brothers. This team only lasted from 2017 to 2018; the duration was short, but their dominance was massive.
- No way, brother, he wasn't just an ordinary wrestler—he didn't even spare Daniel Bryan! In 2019, he teamed up with Daniel Bryan to win the SmackDown Tag Team Championship.
- If you look at his overall record, this man won the WWE Tag Team titles three times: once in NXT and twice on the SmackDown brand.
- Finally, as a member of the Wyatt Sicks team, WWE released him from the company on April 24, 2026
Joe Gacy debuted in NXT in 2020 and arrived on the main roster in June 2024, appearing as a member of The Wyatt Sicks.
- He portrayed a dark, "black storm-like" character alongside The Wyatt Sicks throughout 2024 and 2025. Following 2025, he also competed in matches like street fights and tag team bouts in 2026.
- His final match was a street fight on April 17, 2026. Shortly after, on April 24, 2026, he was released from WWE due to his contract expiring.
Released in 2026, Zelina Vega made her debut as a manager in 2018 and later transitioned into active wrestling.
- When Zelina Vega first arrived, she entered SmackDown in April 2018 as the manager for Andrade "Cien" Almas. From 2018 to 2020, she remained Andrade's manager, portraying a villainous (heel) role and constantly helping him win his matches.
- After her debut, she was actually released from WWE once before in November 2020; her recent departure marks her second release. Following her first exit, she made her return to SmackDown in July 2021.
- In October 2021, she won the first-ever Queen’s Crown tournament.
- Between 2021 and 2022, she also won the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship alongside Carmella.
- In 2025, she won her first singles title by defeating Chelsea Green to become the United States Champion.
- From 2022 to 2026, she was a key member of the LWO (Latino World Order) alongside Rey Mysterio. In the final stages of her run, she acted as the manager for her husband, Aleister Black, assisting him in all his matches.
- On April 24, 2026, WWE released the couple from the company together.
If you would like to read the record of Alex Shelley, who debuted in September 2024, it is presented below.
- Within just 10 days of his debut, Alex Shelley won the WWE Tag Team Titles from Tonga Loa and Tama Tonga. This was a great boost for his career, but it is important to remember that his partner, Chris Sabin, was with him.
- Just as quickly as they won their first tag titles, they lost them just as fast. After holding the titles for only 42 days, Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano defeated them to take the championships.
- Later, they attempted to win their titles back at Royal Rumble 2025, but they were unsuccessful. They also fought the Street Profits in a TLC match in 2025, but they faced defeat there as well.
- Both partners, Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin, did not back down in 2026 and remained quite active. However, as fate would have it, they were released from WWE on April 24, 2026, immediately following WrestleMania 42.
If you would like to read the record of Chris Sabin, who debuted in September 2024, it is presented below.
- Within just 10 days of his debut, Chris Sabin won the WWE Tag Team Titles from Tonga Loa and Tama Tonga, which was a great achievement for his career; however, remember that his partner, Alex Shelley, was also with him.
- Just as quickly as they won their first tag titles, they lost them just as fast. After holding the titles for only 42 days, Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano won the titles from them.
- Later, they tried to win their titles back at Royal Rumble 2025, but they lost. They also competed in a TLC match against the Street Profits in 2025, but there too, they faced defeat.
- Both partners, Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin, did not back down in 2026 and remained quite active. However, as fate would have it, they were released from WWE on April 24, 2026, immediately following WrestleMania 42.
Santos Escobar entered WWE in October 2022. Upon his arrival, he joined forces with Rey Mysterio, appearing in a villainous (heel) role.
- In March 2023, he joined the Latino World Order (LWO) team. His team engaged in a heated rivalry with The Judgment Day, facing off against them in numerous matches.
- By late 2023, he picked a fight with Rey Mysterio, leaving the team and once again embracing a villainous persona against him.
- From 2024 to 2026, he formed a team alongside Angel Garza and Humberto Carrillo, naming the group Legado del Fantasma.
- Santos Escobar remained in WWE for four years and appeared to be very active; however, he did not win a single title during his time in the company.
- In 2026, he suffered an injury during an AAA event. While he was still recovering from that injury, WWE released him on April 24, 2026.
From 2023 to 2026, Zoey Stark established herself in both singles and tag team competition.
- Zoey Stark made a powerful entrance on May 8, 2023, on Raw, where she defeated Nikki Cross in her debut match.
- Shortly after her debut in 2023, she joined forces with Trish Stratus, assisting her in her heated rivalry against Becky Lynch.
- In 2023, she participated in the Money in the Bank ladder match. During that same year, she also became the number one contender for the Women’s World Title against Rhea Ripley.
- On May 19, 2025, she suffered an injury during a Triple Threat match against Kairi Sane and Rhea Ripley.
- According to medical reports, her injury had finally healed; however, she was still released from WWE on April 24, 2026. This decision caused resentment among fans, as they had grown to love her performance during her run with Trish Stratus.
Apollo Crews joined WWE in 2016. His run saw many ups and downs, and his journey from 2016 to 2026 remained quite interesting.
- His first match was against Tyler Breeze, which he won easily. This debut match took place on Raw in April 2016.
- In his early days with WWE, he joined Titus O'Neil and Dana Brooke as a member of their team, Titus Worldwide.
- He won his first title in 2020 by defeating Andrade to become the United States Champion.
- He also displayed great performance at WrestleMania 37 in 2021, where he defeated Big E in a title match to claim the Intercontinental Championship.
- During that period, he was accompanied by a specific associate named Commander Azeez.
- After a brief stint in NXT, he returned to Raw in 2023. After completing a total WWE run of 11 years, the company released him on April 24, 2026.
Alba Fyre debuted on SmackDown in 2023 alongside a partner whose name was—oh, I remember now—Isla Dawn. Their debut match took place on May 19, 2023, against Valentina Feroz and Yulisa Leon, where they emerged victorious.
- At the time of her debut, she was already the NXT Women's Tag Team Champion along with her partner, Isla Dawn, whom we mentioned above.
- Her biggest moment in WWE came at Clash at the Castle 2024, where she won the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship.
- Starting in 2025, Alba Fyre teamed up with Chelsea Green to face off against top superstars like Jade Cargill and Giulia.
- Finally, the call came for her to leave WWE, and she was released on April 24, 2026.
From 2022 to 2026, Dexter Lumis had a very interesting journey on the WWE main roster, especially after joining the Wyatt Sicks stable.
- On August 8, 2022, during a match between The Miz and AJ Styles on Raw, he was seen being arrested by the police. Following this, he began a campaign of terrorizing The Miz.
- On November 28, 2022, a match between Lumis and The Miz took place on Raw. By winning that match, Dexter Lumis officially earned a WWE Raw contract.
- In 2024, he joined the Wyatt Sicks faction, where he was paired with four other teammates to work alongside him.
- Finally, on April 24, 2026, he—along with his entire team—was released from WWE.
Nikki Cross portrayed many different personas from 2018 to 2026; her debut took place in 2018.
- She made a shocking debut on the night of November 6, 2018, on SmackDown. Immediately upon debuting, she stepped up to challenge Becky Lynch.
- A year after her debut, in 2019, she began working with Alexa Bliss. Together, they won the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship twice.
- From 2021 to 2022, she adopted a superhero persona called Nikki A.S.H. (Almost a Super Hero), which the fans absolutely loved. In this role, she won the 2021 Money in the Bank contract.
- As Nikki A.S.H., she successfully cashed in her contract to win the Raw Women’s Title. She also captured the Tag Team Titles once more, this time alongside Rhea Ripley.
- From 2024 to 2026, she adopted a scary character and joined the Wyatt Sicks stable.
- Following WrestleMania 42, on April 24, 2026, WWE released her from her job along with her entire team.
Bo Dallas began his journey on May 23, 2014, on SmackDown, where his first match was against Sin Cara.
- In 2018, he became a Raw Tag Team Champion alongside his partner, Curtis Axel, as part of the duo known as The B-Team.
- Bo Dallas also seized the opportunity to become the 24/7 Champion, ensuring he didn't let that title slip through his fingers.
- Later, he formed his own faction that ran from 2022 to 2026. In this group, he took on the persona of Uncle Howdy, leading the team known as the Wyatt Sicks.
- Ultimately, 2026 proved to be his final year in WWE. The company released him and his entire team on April 24, 2026.
Whether as a wrestler or a commentator, Pat McAfee won the hearts of fans with outstanding performances in both roles from 2020 to 2026.
- In 2020, Pat McAfee entered into a rivalry with Adam Cole, and their feud continued for quite some time in NXT.
- He took up the role of a commentator on SmackDown starting in 2021, performing in an exceptional manner.
- He maintained his wrestling career alongside commentary. He secured a victory against Austin Theory at WrestleMania 38 and defeated Baron Corbin at SummerSlam 2022.
- In 2024, he moved to Raw for commentary duties. While there, he developed a rivalry with Gunther, resulting in a match at Backlash 2025, which McAfee lost.
- In 2026, he returned to SmackDown as Randy Orton's right-hand man and attacked Cody Rhodes.
- In April 2026, he chose to leave WWE of his own accord. He took his leave on April 24, 2026.
AJ Styles' story is also incredible; he arrived at the Royal Rumble in 2016 and departed at the Royal Rumble in 2026.
- Throughout his career, AJ Styles became the WWE Champion twice—first in 2016 and for the second time in 2017.
- He captured the United States Championship title three times.
- AJ Styles was not one to be left behind regarding the Intercontinental Championship either, winning that title once as well.
- He won a total of two Tag Team Championships in WWE, partnering with Omos and Dragon Lee.
- Some of his most notable and intense rivalries included big names such as Gunther, Seth Rollins, The Undertaker, Randy Orton, John Cena, Roman Reigns, and Shinsuke Nakamura.
- On January 31, at the Royal Rumble 2026 event, he lost a Career Match against Gunther, bringing his WWE run to an end.
Tommaso Ciampa had a fantastic run from his debut in 2022 until his departure in 2026, which included championships, tag team success, and his battles with injuries.
- Upon debuting on Raw in 2022, he crossed paths with The Miz and decided to work alongside him.
- In 2023, due to an injury, he was forced to stay out of WWE for eight months, finally making his return later that same year.
- Towards the end of 2023, he formed a team with Johnny Gargano called #DIY, and this partnership lasted until 2025.
- In 2024, he and Johnny Gargano joined SmackDown, where they faced A-Town Down Under in a tag team title match and emerged victorious.
- Later in 2024, they adopted a villainous (heel) persona and won a second tag team title match, this time against the Motor City Machine Guns.
- On January 21, 2026, Tommaso Ciampa announced that his contract was expiring and that he wished to move on.
Comments
Post a Comment