WWE Releases 2026

Former WWE star Karrion Kross expressed that he "can't wait" to see what Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods do following their recent departures from WWE. Kross is looking forward to the future endeavors of the former New Day members after they left the company.

Former WWE Superstar John Heidenreich admitted in an interview with Chris Van Vliet that his WWE release was caused by his own bad decisions, including drug use, showing up late to shows, and missing flights. Heidenreich, who was in a prominent position with the company as part of the Legion of Doom tag team, acknowledged that he used pain pills and other substances, which contributed to his tardiness and eventually led to WWE releasing him. He stated that WWE had policies in place to help wrestlers with these issues, but he was unwilling to admit he had a problem at the time.

Former WWE Tag Team Champion Heidenreich revealed the reason for his WWE release in 2006, stating that "some of it was my bad decisions." Heidenreich acknowledged that his own poor choices contributed to his departure from the company.

Recent unverified rumors claiming CM Punk was seeking his WWE release due to alleged backstage issues and pay cut demands have been debunked by WWE sources. According to PWInsider, a trusted WWE source dismissed these claims and noted that new CM Punk merchandise is being developed and appearances are scheduled for this summer, indicating the company still has plans for him.

WWE superfan Vladimir Abouzeide has been released from the hospital after spending a month recovering from a severe concussion suffered during a fall in New York City. The fall occurred while he was walking with his sister, and balance issues connected to his Parkinson's disease were said to have played a role in the accident. According to reports, Abouzeide intends to return to attending pro wrestling events as soon as possible.

Alba Fyre has confirmed that her WWE departure was due to her contract expiring rather than being released by the company. She stated that she had a decision to make regarding her WWE status.

Maria Kanellis described her 2020 WWE release as "terrifying" because she and Mike Bennett both lost their jobs on the same day with two babies at home, including a 9-week-old. She compared this to her 2010 WWE departure, which she said was more of a business decision after WWE wouldn't increase their contract offer despite her heavy workload that included house shows and television tapings. Kanellis noted that she and Bennett handled the 2020 release differently, with her immediately planning multiple projects while he considered leaving wrestling entirely.

Jimmy Hart announced that The Gentrys are releasing a new studio album in September 2026 during an appearance on Duke Loves Rasslin from St. Augustine, Florida. Hart was a member of The Gentrys, the pop band known for their 1965 hit "Keep On Dancing," before becoming a wrestling manager. The announcement was made while Hart was in town for River City Wrestling Con, scheduled for June 6-7 in St. Augustine.

Indi Hartwell revealed that Steph De Lander provided significant help following her WWE release in November 2024. Hartwell disclosed how De Lander assisted her during this period after her departure from the company.

Former WWE NXT wrestler Andre Chase was released from the company following WrestleMania 42 and has revealed a new ring name. Chase originally debuted in NXT in 2021 before being included in the post-WrestleMania releases.

Andre Chase revealed on Twitter that he will now be known as "The Professor" Andre Chance following his WWE release earlier this year. Chase announced he is ready to return to work and is seeking bookings with independent promotions, with his first post-WWE appearance scheduled for Atomic Legacy Wrestling's Star Spangled Slammer 10 on July 4 in Daytona Beach, Florida. The former NXT Tag Team Champion and Chase U leader is maintaining his academic-themed character while transitioning to life outside of WWE.

Former NXT star Andre Chase has confirmed he will be using the ring name "Andre Chance" following his release from WWE. Chase was released from the company and has now established his new wrestling identity for future appearances.

Revolution Pro Wrestling announced that Zoey Serrano, formerly known as Zoey Stark in WWE, will make her RevPro debut in the promotion's eight-woman Women's Grand Prix tournament on July 25. Serrano was released by WWE in April after being away from television due to a knee injury that required surgery for ACL, MCL, and meniscus damage. This marks her first confirmed match since leaving WWE, with the tournament taking place across two shows in one day at The Hangar in Wolverhampton.

Braun Strowman addressed a potential WWE return on the Battleground podcast, stating he would be willing to come back if the money is right and specifically mentioned a possible match with Oba Femi. Strowman said WWE would need to "back that Brinks truck up" and make a serious financial offer to pull him away from hosting his food show "Everything on the Menu." He acknowledged missing aspects of wrestling like the ring and fans but expressed no interest in dealing with backstage politics, emphasizing that any return would be purely a business decision.

An AEW star has expressed that former New Day members Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston would "make a great addition" to AEW following their WWE release. The wrestler stated they would like to see both Woods and Kingston join AEW after their WWE departure.

Aria Bennett, whose real name is Ajiea Lea Hargrave, has confirmed she was released by WWE. She was among the names who recently departed the company.

Alba Fyre was recently released from WWE alongside Nikki Cross and Zoey Stark as part of the company's latest roster cuts. Pro Wrestling EVE has teased a mystery opponent for Molly Spartan at its June 5th event in London, describing the wrestler as a former WWE Tag Team Champion, former EVE Champion, and using terminology that appears to reference Fyre's pre-WWE identity as Kay Lee Ray.

FKA Scrypts stated that he wants to show the world there is a "superhero inside of everyone" following his WWE release in 2024. The former WWE star made these comments after being released from the company.

According to a former WWE writer, Vince McMahon considered two recently-released stars "a national treasure." The article does not specify which wrestlers McMahon referred to with this description.

Candice Michelle told TMZ's Inside the Ring that ego is the biggest obstacle for wrestlers after WWE releases, with many failing to appreciate that today's wrestling landscape offers far more opportunities than her generation had. She explained that wrestlers often damage themselves by refusing to accept that careers move in cycles, sharing advice from John Cena who told her "wrestling is like a circle, and you can't always be on top, and you're not always on the bottom." Michelle noted that wrestlers today have multiple national companies like TNA Wrestling where they can find work and rebrand themselves, unlike the limited options available during her era.

Brian Myers revealed he still has a "sore spot" regarding WWE's COVID-era talent releases, stating he was blindsided by his release after recently signing a new contract. Myers criticized WWE for being the only major wrestling company making cuts during that period despite being "the most powerful, richest one." Despite his lingering frustration, Myers acknowledged the release ultimately led him to a happier chapter in TNA Wrestling and that "it was just one of those things that all worked out."

Former WWE performer Sirena Linton announced she is now taking bookings as a free agent following her April 24 release, posting her booking information on Twitter. She released a vignette showing herself burning her old ring gear in a forest while declaring "I'm still spicy, bi****," signaling a complete reset for her wrestling career moving forward.

Former WWE star D'Lo Brown has commented on The New Day's WWE release, stating that "certain guys transcend being in the ring" and describing the situation as "dissecting the heart of what this business is."