Add as a preferred source on Google The release of Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods shocked WWE backstage because of their historic status on the roster.
According to Fightful Select and Cory Hays from Bodyslam, Kingston and Woods mutually decided to end their WWE runs. As a result, WWE removed both from the active roster and moved them to the Alumni section on its official site. In addition, JC Mateo and Tonga Loa received the same update.
The impact hit harder because insiders viewed both as lifers for the company. Kingston has been with WWE since 2006, while Woods signed in 2010. Meanwhile, The New Day, originally formed with Big E in 2014, grew into one of the biggest stables in modern WWE history.
Backstage, sources point to TKO and its push to cut millions from payroll. However, one story making the rounds says TKO wanted to restructure the duo’s deals, and Kingston and Woods pushed back.
Besides them, JC Mateo and Tonga Loa also left WWE, weakening MFT, the group Solo Sikoa leads on Friday Night SmackDown. Mateo had only debuted with the company in 2025.
If WWE follows its standard deal, Kingston and Woods must serve a 90-day non-compete before signing elsewhere. Still, there is already major buzz backstage in AEW about a possible arrival for the pair.