Primary names behind recent WWE releases revealed

Just days after WWE WrestleMania 42 and hours before the Apr. 24, 2026, episode of Friday Night SmackDown, news emerged about the list of several released WWE Superstars. Multiple LFG names, NXT wrestlers, and main roster names were let go from their contracts.

The roster cuts were allegedly expected by the talent all week. According to a report by Fightful Select, several talents learned of their release around or before 5 PM ET. In a report by Michael Dockins, it was also pointed out that these are not 90-day non-compete clauses. The talents are still under contract at this point, and it is the 90-day right of termination and requisite notice. For the main roster, it is 90 days, while for NXT, it is 30 days. In cases of contract expiration, the talent’s deal is up immediately.

Fightful Select also reported that there is a lot of talk of TKO making the calls for the cuts. However, according to WWE sources close to Fightful Select, Triple H, Nick Khan, and WWE talent relations were ultimately the primary decision makers. The sources also clarified that the cuts were to make way for new upcoming talent, as well as for SmackDown’s upcoming time cut.

Dave Meltzer of WON also emphasized that Triple H made the final decision on the roster cut. “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. It’s like in other years where people blamed this person or that person when the decision was 100 percent Vince [McMahon].”

Kairi Sane, the entire Wyatt Sicks (Nikki Cross, Bo Dallas aka Uncle Howdy, Erick Rowan, Dexter Lumis, & Joe Gacy), Aleister Black, Zelina Vega, Apollo Crews, and more were among some of the names released on Friday, Apr. 24, 2026.

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