WWE’s latest wave of roster cuts following WrestleMania 42 was led internally, with Paul Levesque and Nick Khan identified as the key figures behind the decisions, rather than parent company TKO Group Holdings.
According to reports, Levesque, Khan, and WWE’s talent relations team handled the process, with sources indicating the cuts were largely made to create space for incoming talent. Another factor discussed was the possibility of WWE SmackDown reverting back to a two hour format in the coming weeks, which could reduce the need for a larger roster.
The main roster departures were extensive, including the full Wyatt Sicks group alongside Alba Fyre, Zoey Stark, Aleister Black, Zelina Vega, Apollo Crews, the Motor City Machine Guns, Kairi Sane, and Santos Escobar.
Cuts also hit NXT, with names such as Dante Chen, Tyson Dupont, Tyriek Igwe, Andre Chase, Chris Island, Tyra Mae Steele, Sirena Linton, Trill London, Malik Blade, Luca Crusifino, and Carlee Bright all released.
In total, 25 wrestlers were let go on April 24, as WWE continues reshaping its roster, with new signings at the Performance Center expected to be revealed soon.
List of Current 2026 WWE Releases – Carlee Bright was among the talent released during WWE’s latest wave of roster cuts on April 24. While her name was not initially reported, the former NXT star confirmed the news herself through a message shared on social media.
Bright revealed that, despite her release, she will still appear on season three of WWE LFG. However, her time with WWE has officially come to an end after signing with the company in 2022.
“This wasn’t how I imagined this chapter ending, but if there’s one thing this journey taught me, it’s how to fight through uncertainty and the moments that test who you really are,” she wrote. “I don’t know if there’ll ever be enough words to express the gratitude and love I have for this chapter. From all the hours filming, hair spray & makeup, long drives, and intense training days, I really did feel like my very own Hannah Montana — living the best of both worlds. I cherish the laughs, the memories, and the people who made this experience better than I could have ever imagined. You’ve changed my life, and that’s something I’ll carry with me forever.”
She closed her message with a clear statement about her future.
“If there’s one thing I know about myself, it’s this: mom & dad didn’t raise a quitter,” she concluded. “This chapter may be closing, but my story is far from finished.”
According to Bryan Alvarez, more releases may still come to light. He noted that there was an expectation internally that additional names from WWE NXT could be affected, suggesting not all departures have been publicly reported yet.
Bright, whose real name is Kennedy Cummins, spent time developing within WWE’s system. She made a brief appearance on NXT television alongside Kendal Grey before transitioning to Evolve, where she competed regularly leading up to her release.
Her departure is part of a broader round of roster changes impacting WWE RAW, WWE SmackDown, and NXT. With several talents exiting and others expected to join, WWE continues to reshape its roster following WrestleMania 42.
A significant round of WWE roster cuts took place on April 24, leading to strong reactions within the company. The situation created uncertainty throughout the week, as talent across WWE RAW and WWE SmackDown began to sense that changes were coming.
By late Friday afternoon, many wrestlers were already preparing for possible news. Around 5 PM Eastern Time, notifications started going out internally. Some talent were informed they had been released, while others learned their contracts would not be renewed. An internal email was also sent to select departments confirming the departures.
Several wrestlers remain under contract during the standard termination period. Main roster talent usually have a 90-day clause, while those from WWE NXT typically have a 30-day term. In cases where contracts expire naturally, there is no added non-compete period beyond the end date.
Reports from within WWE indicate that TKO Group Holdings had some influence on the direction of these changes. Final decisions were handled by key figures including Triple H, Nick Khan, and the talent relations team.
A number of the releases are believed to be part of roster reshuffling. WWE is making room for new talent, especially with ongoing discussions about WWE SmackDown possibly returning to a two-hour format in the near future.
One notable case involves Santos Escobar. He re-signed last year but has not appeared on the main roster recently. He is currently dealing with an injury and is expected to be out for several months. Similar situations have happened before, including releases involving Karl Anderson, BJ Ray, and Ridge Holland while awaiting medical clearance.
On the other hand, Zoey Stark has recently been cleared to return to in-ring action.
There was also strong internal reaction to the departure of Kairi Sane. Many within WWE were surprised due to her involvement in a storyline alongside Asuka and IYO SKY. Reports suggest frustration behind the scenes, as her exit came before the storyline reached a clear ending.
Sane is expected to receive interest from multiple promotions. Meanwhile, several NXT talents were also released as part of the broader changes, with more Performance Center signings expected soon.
WWE Roster Cuts Spark Internal Reaction And Major Changes
Even six years after retiring from in-ring competition, The Undertaker remains closely connected to today’s wrestling scene. Through his creative involvement in AAA and his coaching role on WWE LFG, the Hall of Famer continues to follow the current generation. During a recent interview on Nightcap, he shared which modern star stands out to him the most.
The Undertaker did not hesitate when naming GUNTHER as his top pick, praising his old-school approach and in-ring style.
“Oh man, I tell you because he’s such an old school guy, probably won’t be received real well, but I love GUNTHER. I do. I absolutely do,” Undertaker said. “There’s no flash. There’s no flash. What you get is somebody going in there and he’s going to stomp your guts out. He’s going to chop you up. He’s going to beat you up. He ain’t flying around, doing a bunch of silly stuff. He’s in there and he’s just a serious character. He’s a throwback. He’s a throwback to a different generation. It just lets you know that what is old can be new again.”
GUNTHER has built his WWE run around that exact identity. His matches focus on physicality, pacing, and a serious tone, which mirrors the style seen in earlier eras of wrestling. That approach has helped him stand out in a roster filled with faster and more high-risk performers.
His recent run adds weight to Undertaker’s comments. GUNTHER has scored major wins over established names like Goldberg and John Cena, both of whom are closely tied to Undertaker’s own era. He also defeated Seth Rollins at WrestleMania 42, continuing his momentum on the biggest stage.
There is also a connection between GUNTHER and one of Undertaker’s final opponents. The Undertaker last wrestled in a Boneyard Match against AJ Styles at WrestleMania 36. Earlier this year, GUNTHER added another milestone by retiring Styles from in-ring competition, further linking his run to past generations.
With strong performances and a clear identity, GUNTHER continues to gain respect from legends of the business. The Undertaker’s endorsement adds another level of credibility to his position as one of the top names in WWE today.
The Undertaker Names GUNTHER As His Favorite Modern Wrestler
Several names from WWE NXT are quickly moving to the main roster following WrestleMania 42. Sol Ruca and Ethan Page already made their debuts on WWE RAW after the event, while Joe Hendry is set to debut on the upcoming episode. Jacy Jayne has also been featured on WWE SmackDown as part of the recent wave of talent being introduced.
Former WWE star Baron Corbin, now known as Bishop Dyer, shared his concerns about how these call-ups are being handled. Speaking on Busted Open Radio, Dyer explained that the current approach feels very different from what he experienced during his time in WWE. His main issue is the lack of a strong mid-card structure on both WWE RAW and WWE SmackDown.
“I think all four of them are insanely talented, and will all have a lot of success on the main roster, if it’s done right, you know. They’re really working to get some new guys over right now that are up there,” Dyer said. “So, is the timing right for the call-ups to get on a successful path right away? The TV time on ‘SmackDown’ being three hours helps, and the need for fresh faces helps. But also, they’ve kind of abandoned that mid-card area for a minute, and that’s where a lot of those guys are going to go in to start their path on the main roster. So, they kind of have to rebuild that, as well.”
Dyer believes that some of the talent may already be ready for a bigger spotlight. He pointed to Ruca and Jayne as performers who look prepared for top-level opportunities. Ruca made an immediate impression by stepping into the ring with Liv Morgan, the current Women’s World Champion, on WWE RAW. Meanwhile, Jayne made an impact on WWE SmackDown alongside her Fatal Influence group, attacking Paige, Brie Bella, and Rhea Ripley.
On the other hand, Dyer feels that Page and Hendry may need more time to build momentum before moving into higher-profile roles. Page picked up a win in his debut match against Je’Von Evans, showing promise early on. Hendry’s upcoming debut will offer another look at how WWE plans to position its newest arrivals.
With multiple call-ups happening at once, WWE appears focused on refreshing its roster. However, as Dyer pointed out, rebuilding the mid-card scene on WWE RAW and WWE SmackDown could be key to ensuring long-term success for these rising stars.
