WWE shocked fans again after WrestleMania 42 with a new round of roster cuts. On May 2, more names were reported released, including two members of one of the company’s best tag teams.
What was reported
Reports from UFCcoverage first broke the news that Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods of The New Day have left WWE. UFCcoverage said the split was mutual. The New Day—Kofi, Woods, and Big E—have been one of the most successful factions in WWE history.
Earlier, WWE had already released 23 performers in the days after WrestleMania 42. Those earlier names included Kairi Sane, Aleister Black, Zelina Vega, and members of the Wyatt Sicks faction.
Where the members stand
Big E has not wrestled in years after suffering a broken neck. Kingston last appeared in a ring on the April 17 episode of SmackDown. Woods has been out with injury and his last reported in-ring work was a dark match at the Royal Rumble.
The pair turned heel in recent months and have not been regulars on weekly TV. UFCcoverage noted that the New Day are likely to be hall of fame candidates because of their long run and many accomplishments.
MFT members also released
UFCcoverage also reported that JC Mateo and Tonga Loa, members of Solo Sikoa’s My Fan Test (MFTs), were released. JC Mateo is better known to many fans as Jeff Cobb, who signed with WWE last year after a strong run on the independent scene. In WWE he was given a new ring name and placed in the MFTs group.
Tonga Loa, the son of Haku and brother of Tama and Tanga Loa, had been limited by injury and some in-ring problems. The releases raise questions about the future of the MFTs, who had recently been part of major SmackDown storylines.
What could come next
Fans are already speculating about next steps. Some hope Kingston and Woods could sign with other companies, including AEW, where a dream match with the Young Bucks is often mentioned. For now, those are only rumors and no new contracts have been announced.
UFCcoverage will follow this story and provide updates as more details become available.
