New details have emerged regarding why New Day are no longer with WWE, and the situation appears to center on contract dispute with TKO rather than standard expirations.

According to Bryan Alvarez of the Wrestling Observer, both Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods declined to accept new contract terms under TKO Group Holdings, leading to their release from the company.

New Day Contract Dispute Explained

Alvarez reported that Kingston and Woods were not nearing the end of their existing deals. Instead, WWE approached them about restructuring their contracts to align with new TKO terms.

“We can also confirm that in the case of New Day, it was their decision to leave based on what TKO was offering for a new deal.”

He further clarified that the situation came down to a breakdown in negotiations.

“To be specific, New Day’s deals were not up. They were asked to restructure to TKO deals, they didn’t like the deals, so they were then granted their release.”

90-Day Non-Compete Clause in Effect

Alvarez also confirmed that both Kingston and Woods are currently under standard 90-day non-compete clauses, which apply to main roster talent. This means they would not be eligible to appear for another major promotion until late July 2026.

Kingston and Woods were key members of The New Day alongside Big E. Together, the trio became one of the most successful tag teams in WWE history, capturing 13 tag team championships across multiple brands.

Big E has been out of in-ring competition since suffering a broken neck in March 2022 but has remained associated with WWE in other roles.

As of now, neither Kingston nor Woods has publicly commented on their departure. WWE has also not issued an official statement regarding the contract situation.

The update provides a clearer picture of the circumstances, showing that the split was driven by business terms rather than performance or creative direction.

New Day WWE Departures Tied to TKO Contract Dispute

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JC Mateo and Tonga Loa have departed WWE, as both were quietly moved to the alumni section on the company’s official website. The update signals the end of their respective runs with the promotion.

JC Mateo’s WWE Run Ends After Short Tenure

Mateo, real name Jeffrey Cobb, joined WWE in 2025 and debuted at Backlash, aligning with Jacob Fatu and The Bloodline. He was introduced on SmackDown under the JC Mateo name shortly after and picked up a win in his first match against LA Knight.

The group later transitioned into the MFT faction under Solo Sikoa. Mateo’s most notable moment came on the March 20, 2026 episode of SmackDown, where he teamed with Tama Tonga in a WWE Tag Team Championship match. The duo lost the titles that night to Damian Priest and R-Truth.

Before signing with WWE, Mateo built a strong reputation across multiple promotions. He competed in Lucha Underground as Matanza Cueto, held championships in Pro Wrestling Guerrilla, and enjoyed a successful run in New Japan Pro-Wrestling as part of United Empire.

Tonga Loa’s Second WWE Run Comes to an End

Tonga Loa, real name Tevita Fifita, returned to WWE in 2024 after nearly a decade away. His first run from 2009 to 2014 saw him perform as Camacho before rejoining the company and aligning with his brother Tama Tonga.

The duo competed as The Tongans and later became part of the MFT stable. Loa captured the WWE Tag Team Championship in August 2024 following a storyline decision involving Solo Sikoa. Their reign lasted 84 days before they dropped the titles to the Motor City Machine Guns.

Outside WWE, Loa is widely recognized for his work in NJPW as part of Guerrillas of Destiny, where he and Tama Tonga held the IWGP Tag Team Championship multiple times. He is also the son of Haku.

Latest in Series of WWE Changes

The departures come amid a wider wave of roster cuts following WrestleMania 42. WWE has not issued an official statement regarding these changes, and neither performer has publicly commented on their exit.

For now, the update confirms that both Mateo and Loa are no longer part of WWE’s active roster.

JC Mateo and Tonga Loa Depart WWE

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Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods are no longer part of WWE, as both have been moved to the alumni section of the company’s official website. The change signals the end of their long run as active members of the roster.

According to Fightful Select, the departures were a mutual decision between WWE and the two performers. As of now, neither wrestler nor WWE has publicly commented on the move.

New Day Exit Comes After Recent Contracts

The timing stands out given that both men signed new deals less than a year ago. Woods agreed to a multi-year extension in October 2025 after negotiations went down to the wire, while Kingston reportedly signed a five-year contract expected to keep him with WWE through 2030.

Why those agreements ended early has not been clarified.

Recent Activity and Absence

Woods had been away from television for months. During the February 16, 2026 episode of RAW, Kingston revealed in a commercial break segment that Woods had been dealing with a shoulder injury and was being held out by WWE’s medical team. His last in-ring appearance came in a dark match before the Royal Rumble event.

Kingston remained visible on television but without major storyline direction. His last televised match was a loss to LA Knight in September 2025. He later appeared in dark matches and minor segments alongside Grayson Waller.

Heel Turn and Shift in Direction

The duo made a major character change about a year ago when they turned heel and removed Big E from The New Day during the group’s 10th anniversary storyline.

They adopted a new persona, dropped their long-running “power of positivity” identity, and briefly found success by winning the World Tag Team Championship at WrestleMania 41. However, their momentum slowed in recent months, with limited storyline focus.

Legacy of The New Day

As part of The New Day, Kingston and Woods helped create one of the most successful tag teams in WWE history. Alongside Big E, they set multiple records, including the longest Raw Tag Team Championship reign at 483 days and a combined 13 WWE-branded tag title reigns.

Kingston’s singles career includes a WWE Championship victory at WrestleMania 35 against Daniel Bryan, making him the first African-born WWE Champion. He is also a Triple Crown and Grand Slam Champion.

Woods, who previously competed in TNA as Consequences Creed, built a decorated tag team résumé in WWE, including multiple SmackDown, Raw, and NXT Tag Team Championship reigns, along with a King of the Ring win.

What Comes Next

There is no confirmed next step for either performer. Their non-compete status has not been disclosed, and no future plans have been announced.

Both are widely expected to be recognized as future WWE Hall of Famers based on their achievements and long-term impact.

The New Day Exit WWE

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