Story perspectives

WWE Unveils Post-WrestleMania Talent Wave, Releases Six

4/25/2026

Summary

WWE Releases Talent

WWE announced on April 24, 2026 it was releasing a new talent wave after WrestleMania.
The cuts listed former Women’s Champion Nikki Cross, former NXT UK Women’s Champion Alba Fyre, former NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion Zoey Stark, Tag Team Champion Joe Gacy, Bo Dallas (Uncle Howdy) and longtime NXT talent Andre Chase.
Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful noted some departures may be contract expirations rather than releases, leaving the exact number unclear.

Summary

WWE Cuts Talent

Locker-room staff were on high alert on Friday, April 24, 2026, as rumors of roster cuts spread among wrestlers.
Powell’s POV aired a weekly audio report earlier that day that anticipated the upcoming talent releases.
Industry analysts said the timing matches WWE’s historical pattern of post-WrestleMania roster evaluations.
WWE has not issued an official statement disclosing the total number of contracts terminated in this round of reductions.

Summary

WWE Talent Exits

Andre Chase announced he will be available for bookings in June after his WWE release.
Nikki Cross thanked Robbie Brookside and William Regal with a farewell tweet.
Zoey Stark was cleared to wrestle but stayed listed among the April 24, 2026 WWE releases.
Joe Gacy, Alba Fyre and Nikki Cross were Wyatt Sicks before their contracts ended, logging 20 years in WWE from April 2016 (Cross) to October 2022 (Bo Dallas).

History

Historical Context

After WrestleMania 21 in April 2005, WWE trimmed its roster, releasing several talent and shifting to a Raw-only PPV model; the May 1 Backlash that month boosted PPV revenue by $4.7 million, illustrating cost-cut pressures. The same pattern reappeared on April 24 2026, when WWE announced the release of Nikki Cross, Andre Chase, Zoey Stark and Joe Gacy following WrestleMania 32.

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WWE Releases Talent

WWE announced on April 24, 2026 it was releasing a new talent wave after WrestleMania.
The cuts listed former Women’s Champion Nikki Cross, former NXT UK Women’s Champion Alba Fyre, former NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion Zoey Stark, Tag Team Champion Joe Gacy, Bo Dallas (Uncle Howdy) and longtime NXT talent Andre Chase.
Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful noted some departures may be contract expirations rather than releases, leaving the exact number unclear.

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