Full Breakdown
WWE Announces Mass Talent Releases Following WrestleMania
4/27/2026, 8:18:44 PM
Release Overview
On Friday, April 24, 2026, WWE notified roughly two dozen performers on Raw, SmackDown and NXT that their contracts were terminated or not renewed. Those released included Nikki Cross, Kairi Sane, Aleister Black, the Wyatt Sicks faction, Zelina Vega, the Motor City Machine Guns and others. Sources said the notice was given to talent before the public announcement.
Decision Makers
Post-WrestleMania roster reductions are a regular practice, with yearly speculation about timing. Though TKO, led by Ari Emanuel, owns WWE, insiders said the final cuts were authorized by WWE President and Chief Content Officer Triple H (Paul Levesque), CEO Nick Khan and the talent-relations department.
Timeline
April 23, 2026 – Ari Emanuel’s $67.4 million 2025 compensation was reported.
April 24, 2026, 5:21 p.m. ET – Nikki Cross posted a farewell tweet.
Later that afternoon – WWE notified the roster.
Evening – Fightful Select and BodySlam named Triple H, Nick Khan and talent relations as decision makers.
Early May 2026 – a new NXT recruit class was reported to be arriving at the Performance Center in Orlando.
Scope
About 24 performers, over 20 superstars across WWE’s three brands, were released. The list included the Wyatt Sicks faction, the Motor City Machine Guns, Aleister Black, Kairi Sane, Zelina Vega, Santos Escobar and others.
Rationale
WWE insiders said most cuts were meant to free roster space for new talent and to enable a possible reduction of SmackDown to a two-hour format, a change reportedly driven by USA Network.
Reaction
Fans voiced disappointment on X, with #WeWantKairi trending. Critics highlighted the timing amid storylines like Kairi Sane’s role in the IYO SKY vs. Asuka feud. Some blamed Triple H and Nick Khan; others cited TKO ownership.
Conflicts
Sources disagree on who authorized the releases. The Sportster article points to TKO and Ari Emanuel, while Fightful Select and BodySlam credit Triple H, Nick Khan and talent relations. No direct WWE or TKO statement was issued.
Quotes
- “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, WWE talent
- “Nobody above Levesque is saying who to cut. Maybe Nick Khan, maybe not. Ari Emanuel isn’t sitting there saying we have to fire Zelina and Kairi. By and large the decision maker, for good or for bad, here is Paul.” — Dave Meltzer quoting Triple H’s role
- “This used to be against the company’s policy, but has happened a number of times in recent years.” — Sean Ross Sapp, Fightful Select
- “There was heavy frustration to her being cut before any real payoff to the story was made.” — Sean Ross Sapp, Fightful Select
Next
WWE plans to introduce a new NXT recruit class and may shorten SmackDown to two hours in the coming weeks.
