After initial reports earlier this week revealed internal corporate restructuring within WWE, including layoffs across business and broadcast divisions, it appears the wave of cuts has now reached WWE’s on-screen talent roster. According to several credible outlets including Fightful Select and PWInsider, numerous wrestlers from both the main roster and NXT have been released from their contracts.
This round of talent cuts comes amid ongoing internal evaluations by WWE leadership following WrestleMania 41 and as part of broader cost-cutting measures being implemented by the TKO Group Holdings—the parent company that oversees WWE following its merger with UFC under Endeavor.
Let’s break down the confirmed releases so far:
Main Roster Talent Releases
Braun Strowman
One of the biggest names to be released is former WWE Universal Champion Braun Strowman (real name: Adam Scherr). This marks the second time the company has parted ways with him—the first being in June 2021, before he was re-signed in September 2022.
Strowman had a brief return following neck fusion surgery and was seen teaming with LA Knight during a tag match in April 2025. Despite being a fan favorite and a dominant figure in WWE’s “big man” division, he had limited in-ring time in recent months and was mainly appearing in backstage segments. His departure is being met with shock from fans, given his name recognition and past main-event status.
Shayna Baszler
Shayna Baszler, a former MMA fighter and one of WWE’s most feared competitors, was also cut. Baszler had a dominant run in NXT as a two-time Women’s Champion and later teamed up with Ronda Rousey on the main roster to win the Women’s Tag Team Titles. She was recently involved in various storylines on Raw, though her television time had started to dwindle.
Baszler reacted to her release on social media, posting cryptically:
“No one can offer what I have to offer. Reality. Let the galaxy burn.”
This suggests that while her time in WWE is over, she is far from finished in the wrestling world.
Dakota Kai
Another surprising release is Dakota Kai, a well-regarded member of the Damage CTRL faction led by Bayley. Known for her work in both NXT and the main roster, Kai was instrumental in the women’s tag team division and helped elevate several new stars.
Kai has previously dealt with ACL injuries and had recently returned to action. However, with changes occurring across WWE’s women’s division and the direction of Damage CTRL shifting after IYO SKY’s championship run, her position may have been affected by creative or budgetary changes.
Katana Chance & Kayden Carter
The exciting tag team duo of Katana Chance (formerly Kacy Catanzaro, known from American Ninja Warrior) and Kayden Carter were also released. The two were crowd favorites for their fast-paced, high-flying style and had a lengthy reign as NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions before debuting on the main roster.
They most recently held the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles in December 2023 and had ongoing matches up until early 2025. Their releases suggest that WWE may be looking to retool or downsize its women’s tag division.
NXT Talent Affected
Cora Jade
Rising NXT star Cora Jade also appears to have been released, though her status was initially unclear. Jade sparked speculation by tweeting:
“Just got a lot of free time on my hands.”
Shortly after, PWInsider confirmed that she had indeed been let go. Once seen as a future star in the women’s division, Jade had a promising heel run but was sidelined due to injuries in 2024 and early 2025. Her absence from NXT TV in recent months led many to wonder about her future, and now it appears WWE has officially moved on.
Gigi Dolin
Gigi Dolin, formerly a member of the “Toxic Attraction” trio with Mandy Rose and Jacy Jayne, was also cut. She was a two-time NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion and was involved in several mid-card feuds before her last match on April 22, 2025.
Her departure has disappointed fans who felt she still had untapped potential on the main roster or as a solo competitor.
Additional NXT Releases
Several lesser-known but talented NXT prospects were also released in this round of cuts, including:
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Oro Mensah – A promising UK-born athlete who recently transitioned to the U.S. NXT system.
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Jakara Jackson – Featured briefly in NXT storylines and backstage promos.
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Riley Osborne – A newer signing who had not yet debuted on television.
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Eddy Thorpe – Also known as Karl Fredericks from NJPW before joining WWE in 2022.
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Javier Bernal – Known for his comic heel persona and lower-card feuds.
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Gallus (Joe Coffey, Mark Coffey, Wolfgang) – The Scottish stable had a dominant NXT UK run before being underutilized in the U.S. brand.
According to Fightful Select, more names may still be revealed as the company continues notifying talent internally.
Why Are These Releases Happening?
WWE typically conducts talent cuts following WrestleMania each year as part of its business restructuring process. With WWE now part of TKO Group Holdings—a publicly traded company under Endeavor—pressure to streamline operations and reduce costs is reportedly increasing.
This wave of cuts also follows significant internal changes:
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Christine Lubrano, Senior Vice President of Creative Writing Operations, was also recently let go as part of corporate layoffs.
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Multiple departments, including WWE Studios and WWE Network editorial teams, have seen downsizing.
These actions point to a strategic reshuffling, possibly designed to reduce expenditures before Q2 earnings or ahead of upcoming media rights negotiations.
What Happens Next for These Wrestlers?
Under standard WWE contract terms:
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Main roster talents typically face a 90-day non-compete clause, meaning they cannot appear on other televised wrestling promotions (like AEW or Impact) during this period.
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NXT talents generally have a 30-day non-compete window.
That means most released stars won’t be free agents until at least late May or late July 2025, depending on their contract tier. After that, many are expected to draw interest from other wrestling promotions, particularly AEW, Impact Wrestling, NJPW, and independent circuits like GCW.
This latest round of WWE releases has sent shockwaves through the wrestling community. Fans, industry insiders, and even former superstars are reacting with a mix of surprise and disappointment—especially given the caliber and popularity of some of the names involved.
As the list of released talent grows, WWE appears to be entering another phase of organizational change—both creatively and corporately. Whether these moves will improve the company’s direction remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: a number of incredibly talented individuals will soon be available for new opportunities across the global wrestling scene.
