Update 8:05pm ET: A number of fresh departures from the WWE main roster are now being reported by multiple outlets. Among them are two major surprises in Aleister Black and Zelina Vega.
The real life couple just reunited on SmackDown last year after Black returned to the company following WrestleMania 41. Black was reportedly in line for a major storyline with Randy Orton heading into this year’s ‘Showcase of the Immortals’ before the Pat McAfee situation unfolded. Now, both he and wife are about to become free agents according to Fightful and BodySlam.
Kairi Sane | Netflix
Kairi Sane is another shocking departure. The multi-time Women’s Tag Team Champion was in the middle of a months-long storyline involving Asuka and IYO SKY, and was a central figure in the still ongoing program.
Other main roster departures, again according to both Fightful and BodySlam, include Apollo Crews, Santos Escobar and former WWE Tag Team Champions the Motor City Machine Guns.
The Wyatt Sicks | WWE
Original story: Every member of The Wyatt Sicks are reportedly gone from WWE, and they are unfortunately not the only ones.
Former WWE Women’s Champion Nikki Cross was the first departure announced. She took to social media Friday afternoon to break the news that her tenure with WWE had come to an end after more than a decade.
Cross had spent the better part of the past two years as a member of the Wyatt Sicks on SmackDown, but will soon be writing the next chapter of her professional wrestling career. As will the group’s leader Uncle Howdy (Bo Dallas) and Joe Gacy.
The Wyatt Sicks, Alba Fyre, Zoey Stark and others are no longer with WWE
Goodbye and Thank you WWE
I’m really excited for whatever my next chapter will hold.
Thank you all for the continued love and support.
Special thank you to Robbie Brookside and William Regal for helping this dream come true.
Thank you to the wrestlers, coaches, producers…
— Nikki Cross (@WWENikkiCross) April 24, 2026Goodbye and Thank you WWE
I’m really excited for whatever my next chapter will hold.
Thank you all for the continued love and support.
Special thank you to Robbie Brookside and William Regal for helping this dream come true.
Thank you to the wrestlers, coaches, producers and all the backstage crew who make all this possible.
To the amazing girls in locker room
Nikki Cross on X
Despite her time as a reoccurring character on Friday nights, Cross has not wrestled much over the past couple of years. Her last official match took place during a holiday tour in December 2024.
Talent releases typically take place shortly after WrestleMania each year and Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select is reporting that this year is no different. An unknown number of superstars are in the process of being released from their contracts or are being informed that their current deals will not be renewed.
Both Ross Sapp and Mike Johnson of PWInsider have also confirmed that Uncle Howdy, aka Bo Dallas, has been released from his contract. This comes less than a week after the Wyatt Sicks lost their blow off match against Solo Sikoa and his MFTs.
Former WWE Tag Team Champion Joe Gacy also insinuated that his time with WWE had come to an end by posting a peace sign emoji followed by, “lol” on his X account Friday afternoon. His departure has now been confirmed by the insiders at BodySlam, as have the releases of Dexter Lumis and Erick Rowan.
Zoey Stark | WWE.com
Sean Ross Sapp is also reporting that Zoey Stark and Alba Fyre are also departing the company. Stark has been out of action for close to a year after she tore her ACL and MCL in a match last May, but she had recently been cleared for her return.
Alba Fyre has been one of the core members of Chelsea Green’s Secret Hervice since March of last year. The former WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion joined up with Chelsea and Piper Niven after her former tag partner, Isla Dawn, was released from WWE.
Long-time NXT talent Andre Chase has also announced that he’s been released from the company. He posted a video message on his social media accounts thanking WWE fans for all of their support over the years.
One last TEACHABLE MOMENT‼️
I couldn’t have done it without U 🙌🏼
*Available for bookings, signings, and seminars starting in June. Let’s get to work. #WWENXT#Smackdown#WWERAW pic.twitter.com/cLxXaJiYkv
— Andre Chase | twitch.tv/ChaseUniversity (@AndreChaseWWE) April 24, 2026
Chase said he was told at the time that he signed with the company that he would never make it to television, but the fans changed his career trajectory.
NXT star Dante Chen has also confirmed that he has been released from his contract, and a number of developmental talent are being released as well. Among them, WWE LFG winner Tyra Mae Steele.
It’s unclear how many more members of the locker room are set to be released. An updated list of WWE Releases can be found here.
We wish all those impacted by this recent round of cuts the very best in their future endeavors. We’ll continue to keep you updated on any new developments throughout the night.
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