WWE’s 2026 roster changes have included releases, expired contracts and voluntary departures across the main roster and developmental system. The largest reported group left on April 24, while additional departures occurred before and after that date.
This tracker follows every named 2026 WWE talent departure covered by Wrestling Headlines, including post-WWE names, availability, first bookings and confirmed destinations. A rumored destination is not listed as a signing, and a completed contract is not mislabeled as a release.
Last updated: July 30, 2026
Current Status
Status: Active
Latest confirmed developments: Kai Kavari announced her WWE departure on July 29. Kofi Kingston and Austin Creed released a video that indicated they were available after their reported WWE exits. KAIRI hired agent Barry Bloom, Nikki Storm returned to the ring and Samuel Shaw and Joseph Sawyer wrestled their first post-WWE match. None of those developments confirms a new full-time promotion unless stated in the table.
Open questions: Which free agents will sign with another major promotion, which will work independently or internationally and whether WWE will make additional roster moves in 2026.
Source confidence: High for public departures, contract-expiration statements, announced names and confirmed appearances. Reported interest and expected destinations remain unconfirmed until a promotion or wrestler announces an agreement.
Who Did WWE Release Or Lose In 2026?
The table covers named wrestlers and on-screen or developmental talent reported by Wrestling Headlines. It does not attempt to list anonymous corporate layoffs. WWE/AAA talent is included only when the departure was directly covered as part of WWE’s expanded talent system.
| WWE name | Current or post-WWE name | Departure type and date | Availability or destination | Latest confirmed development |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tommaso Ciampa | Tommaso Ciampa | Contract ended in January | AEW | Debuted for AEW on January 31 and won the TNT Championship |
| Ava | Ava Raine | Contract expired January 30; chose not to renew | No promotion announced | Confirmed her WWE departure |
| Aleister Black | Aleister Black | Released April 24; reported 90-day period ended July 23 | Free agent | No destination announced |
| Zelina Vega | Xelina | Released April 24; reported 90-day period ended July 23 | Free agent | Confirmed Xelina as her new in-ring name |
| Uncle Howdy / Bo Dallas | Taylor Rotunda | Released April 24 | Independent appearances | Booked with former Wyatt Sicks members for WrestleCon Minneapolis |
| Nikki Cross | Nikki Storm | Released April 24 | Independent wrestling | Returned to the ring for OTT on July 24 |
| Joe Gacy | Joseph Sawyer | Released April 24 | Independent wrestling | Wrestled with Samuel Shaw on July 25 |
| Erick Rowan | Erick Redbeard | Released April 24 | Independent appearances | Booked for WrestleCon Minneapolis |
| Dexter Lumis | Samuel Shaw | Released April 24 | Independent wrestling | Wrestled with Joseph Sawyer on July 25 |
| Kairi Sane | KAIRI | Released April 24; reported 90-day period ended July 23 | Free agent | Hired Barry Bloom as her agent; AEW is reported as an expected destination but no signing is confirmed |
| Santos Escobar | Romeo Malverde | Released April 24; reported restriction ended in late July | Free agent | Confirmed Romeo Malverde as his post-WWE identity |
| Zoey Stark | Zoey Serrano | Released April 24 | Independent booking announced | Advertised for RevPro while recovering from a knee injury |
| Alba Fyre | Kay Lee Ray | Contract expired; she said she was not released | Independent wrestling | Returned to Pro-Wrestling: EVE on June 5 |
| Apollo Crews | Apollo Crews | Released April 24; reported 90-day period ended July 23 | Free agent | No destination announced |
| Alex Shelley | Alex Shelley | Released April 24; reported 90-day period ended July 23 | Free agent | AEW interest has been reported; no signing announced |
| Chris Sabin | Chris Sabin | Released April 24; reported 90-day period ended July 23 | Free agent | AEW interest has been reported; no signing announced |
| Andre Chase | “The Professor” Andre Chance | Reported as released April 24 | Accepting bookings | Announced his post-WWE name |
| Tyra Mae Steele | No new name confirmed | Reported as released April 24 | No destination announced | No post-WWE booking confirmed |
| Tyson Dupont | No new name confirmed | Reported as released April 24 | No destination announced | No post-WWE booking confirmed |
| Tyriek Igwe | No new name confirmed | Reported as released April 24 | No destination announced | No post-WWE booking confirmed |
| Dante Chen | Dante Chen | Reported as released April 24 | No destination announced | No post-WWE booking confirmed |
| Sirena Linton | No new name confirmed | Reported as released April 24 | No destination announced | No post-WWE booking confirmed |
| Malik Blade | Malik Blade | Reported as released April 24 | No destination announced | No post-WWE booking confirmed |
| Trill London | Trill London | Reported as released April 24 | No destination announced | No post-WWE booking confirmed |
| Luca Crusifino | Luca Crusifino | Reported as released April 24 | No destination announced | No post-WWE booking confirmed |
| Chris Island | Chris Island | Reported as released April 24 | No destination announced | No post-WWE booking confirmed |
| Carlee Bright | Carlee Bright | Reported as released April 24 | No destination announced | No post-WWE booking confirmed |
| Kofi Kingston | Kofi Kingston | Reported mutual release May 2 | Appears available after reported 90-day period | Released a free-agent-style video on July 29; AEW and TNA interest is reported, but no signing is confirmed |
| Xavier Woods | Austin Creed | Reported mutual release May 2 | Appears available after reported 90-day period | Released the same video as Kingston on July 29; no signing is confirmed |
| JC Mateo | Jeff Cobb | Departure confirmed May 2 | No destination announced | No full-time promotion announced |
| Tanga Loa | Tanga Loa | Departure confirmed May 2 | No destination announced | No full-time promotion announced |
| Francois Prinsloo | Francois Prinsloo | Departure announced May 6 | No destination announced | Confirmed that his WWE run had ended |
| Aria Bennett | Aria Bennett | Believed released by June 3 | No destination announced | Quietly removed from the developmental roster |
| Masyn Holiday | Darci Khan | Voluntary NIL departure announced June 16 | Independent wrestling | Returned to her Darci Khan identity |
| Chik Tormenta | Chik Tormenta | WWE/AAA departure announced July 19 | Free agent | Announced that she was no longer with WWE or AAA |
| Kai Kavari | Kai Kavari | Departure announced July 29 | Returning to California | Said she chose to leave and planned to focus on family, faith and real estate while keeping wrestling in her life |
Which Former WWE Wrestlers Have Confirmed New Destinations?
Tommaso Ciampa is the clearest confirmed major-promotion destination in this tracker. He debuted for AEW after his WWE contract ended and won the TNT Championship.
Kay Lee Ray, Nikki Storm, Samuel Shaw, Joseph Sawyer and other former WWE wrestlers have confirmed independent appearances. An independent booking is not the same as signing an exclusive contract.
Which Released Wrestlers Are Linked To AEW?
KAIRI and the Motor City Machine Guns have been linked to AEW through reporting. AEW and TNA have also been reported as interested in Kofi Kingston and Austin Creed. None of those possible destinations is listed as confirmed.
Which Released WWE Wrestlers Have New Names?
- Zelina Vega: Xelina
- Santos Escobar: Romeo Malverde
- Zoey Stark: Zoey Serrano
- Alba Fyre: Kay Lee Ray
- Andre Chase: “The Professor” Andre Chance
- Bo Dallas / Uncle Howdy: Taylor Rotunda
- Nikki Cross: Nikki Storm
- Joe Gacy: Joseph Sawyer
- Erick Rowan: Erick Redbeard
- Dexter Lumis: Samuel Shaw
- Xavier Woods: Austin Creed
- JC Mateo: Jeff Cobb
- Masyn Holiday: Darci Khan
Did WWE Release Alba Fyre?
Kay Lee Ray said her WWE contract expired and clarified that she was not released. She returned to Pro-Wrestling: EVE without a reported 90-day restriction. The table preserves her correction.
Are Kofi Kingston And Xavier Woods Free Agents?
Wrestling Headlines reported that Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods, who is using Austin Creed, mutually parted ways with WWE on May 2 and were expected to have 90-day restrictions. Their July 29 video was widely interpreted as indicating that they were available.
No new promotion has announced either wrestler. Reported AEW or TNA interest is not a signing.
2026 WWE Releases And Free Agency Timeline
July 29, 2026: Kai Kavari Announces Her Departure
Kavari said she chose to leave WWE and planned to return to California. She did not announce a new wrestling promotion.
July 29, 2026: Kingston And Creed Post A Free-Agent-Style Video
Kofi Kingston and Austin Creed released the same video after their reported restrictions ended. AEW and TNA interest remained reported rather than confirmed.
July 27, 2026: KAIRI Hires Barry Bloom
KAIRI hired the veteran agent. AEW was reported as an expected destination, but no agreement had been announced.
July 25, 2026: Samuel Shaw And Joseph Sawyer Return To The Ring
The former Dexter Lumis and Joe Gacy reunited for their first post-WWE match.
July 24, 2026: Nikki Storm Returns At OTT
The former Nikki Cross made a surprise in-ring return in Ireland.
July 24, 2026: Romeo Malverde Is Revealed
The former Santos Escobar said he would not return as El Hijo del Fantasma and revealed Romeo Malverde as his new identity.
July 23, 2026: April Main-Roster Restrictions Expire
The reported standard 90-day periods for affected April 24 main-roster releases ended, allowing those wrestlers to work elsewhere.
July 19, 2026: Chik Tormenta Announces WWE/AAA Departure
Tormenta said she was no longer with WWE or AAA and was a free agent.
June 16, 2026: Masyn Holiday Leaves The NIL Program
Holiday announced a self-initiated departure and returned to the Darci Khan name.
June 3, 2026: Aria Bennett Is Believed Released
Reporting indicated that Bennett had quietly left WWE’s developmental system.
May 6, 2026: Francois Prinsloo Announces His Departure
Prinsloo confirmed that his WWE run had ended.
May 2, 2026: Additional Main-Roster Departures Are Reported
Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods, JC Mateo and Tanga Loa were reported or confirmed as leaving WWE.
April 24, 2026: WWE’s Largest 2026 Departure Group Is Reported
Wrestling Headlines reported a group that included Aleister Black, Zelina Vega, the Wyatt Sicks, KAIRI, Santos Escobar, Zoey Stark, Alba Fyre, Apollo Crews, the Motor City Machine Guns and developmental talent.
January 31, 2026: Tommaso Ciampa Debuts For AEW
Ciampa appeared for AEW after confirming that his WWE agreement had ended and won the TNT Championship.
January 30, 2026: Ava Announces Her WWE Departure
Ava said her contract had expired and that she chose not to renew it.
Related Wrestling Headlines Coverage
- Kai Kavari Announces Her WWE Departure
- The New Day Post A Video Indicating Free-Agent Status
- KAIRI Hires Barry Bloom Amid Reported AEW Expectations
- Samuel Shaw And Joseph Sawyer Wrestle Their First Post-WWE Match
- Nikki Storm Makes A Surprise In-Ring Return
- Santos Escobar Reveals The Romeo Malverde Name
- Andre Chase Reveals His Post-WWE Name
- April WWE Releases Become Free To Work Elsewhere
- The New Day And Additional Talent Reportedly Leave WWE
- Tanga Loa And JC Mateo Departure Update
- Masyn Holiday Leaves WWE’s NIL Program
- Aria Bennett Is Believed Released
- Francois Prinsloo Announces His Departure
- April 24 Main-Roster Departures
- Wyatt Sicks And Developmental Departures
- Kay Lee Ray Clarifies That Her Contract Expired
- Tommaso Ciampa Confirms His WWE Exit
- Tommaso Ciampa Debuts For AEW And Wins The TNT Title
- Ava Announces Her WWE Departure
Frequently Asked Questions
When did the April 2026 WWE releases become free agents?
Wrestling Headlines reported that the standard 90-day period for affected April 24 main-roster wrestlers ended on July 23. Individual contracts can differ.
Did WWE release every person in the table?
No. The table also includes expired contracts and voluntary departures, with each type labeled separately.
Which former WWE wrestlers have signed with AEW?
Tommaso Ciampa is confirmed. KAIRI, the Motor City Machine Guns and The New Day have been linked to AEW through reporting, but no AEW signing for those names is confirmed.
Is KAIRI signed with AEW?
No signing has been announced. She hired Barry Bloom, and AEW was reported as an expected destination.
Are Kofi Kingston and Austin Creed free agents?
Their July 29 video indicated availability after their reported WWE departures and restrictions. No new promotion has announced them.
Why is Kay Lee Ray listed if she was not released?
She was part of the April departure coverage but later clarified that her contract expired. The tracker preserves that distinction.
Source note: This tracker uses Wrestling Headlines coverage and wrestler or promotion announcements quoted in that coverage. Reported interest is not treated as a contract.
This page will be updated when WWE makes another named roster move, a former WWE wrestler announces a new identity or booking, or a promotion confirms a signing.
