Add as a preferred source on Google WWE is still trying to keep Xavier Woods in the fold even after his exit alongside Kofi Kingston.
Bryan Alvarez reported on Wrestling Observer Live that the company has discussed offering Woods what is being called internally the “Tyler Breeze deal.” The pitch would keep the former New Day member on the payroll to work on WWE’s video game projects without wrestling or making weekly TV appearances.
“I’ve heard this from a lot of people this weekend, that I do believe that WWE is trying to retain Woods with, as it was referred to repeatedly, the Tyler Breeze deal, which is basically he gets paid money to do stuff for the video game. And I don’t know if he will accept that offer. I don’t know what’s going on in his head, but he might. So it is not a foregone conclusion that both of The New Day are going to AEW. It’s likely going to happen, I would say. But there are things being done where WWE is trying to retain him for other things.”
The name comes from Breeze continuing to work with WWE after his 2021 release, contributing to projects like WWE 2K. F4WOnline noted that both Breeze and Woods provide annual feedback for the franchise, primarily for MyGM mode. WWE 2K26 even reflects their ties, listing Woods and Breeze as playable General Managers in MyGM.
The push comes just days after Woods and Kingston finalized their WWE departures. Reports indicate the pair turned down a contract restructuring proposed by WWE/TKO, which led to a mutual release agreement.
Woods has already said his public goodbye, thanking WWE for his 16-year run and calling UpUpDownDown an important part of his mission with the company.