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The landscape of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) underwent further significant shifts this week, with highly successful tag team The New Day, comprising Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods, reportedly leaving the promotion. Their departures, confirmed by professional wrestling journalists Sean Ross Sapp and Cory Hays on May 2, 2026, mark a significant turning point, occurring just seven days after a substantial wave of roster cuts impacted over a dozen other superstars. Joining Kingston and Woods in exiting the company are JC Mateo and Tonga Loa, both members of the recently prominent faction, The MFTs. These latest releases underscore a period of continued talent restructuring within WWE.
The reported mutual parting of ways between Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods, and WWE signals the apparent conclusion of The New Day, at least in its current form within the promotion. Formed in 2014 with Big E, the trio initially struggled to connect with audiences. Their debut saw them portrayed as overly optimistic, gospel-inspired figures, a gimmick that largely failed to resonate with fans, leading to widespread rejection. Recognizing the creative misstep, WWE afforded the group greater autonomy, allowing them to infuse their genuine personalities and shared interests into their characters. This pivotal shift saw them embrace a unique blend of humor, incorporating elements like unicorn horns, pancakes, anime references, and Xavier Woods’ signature trombone, Francesca. This transformation from a universally booed act to a beloved, albeit at times humorously annoying, fan favorite cemented their place as one of the most creatively successful and enduring acts in modern professional wrestling.
The New Day’s statistical dominance within WWE is unparalleled. Their collective 13 WWE-branded tag team title reigns stand as the most in company history, a record that surpasses legendary duos and factions like Demolition (3 reigns), The Dudley Boyz (8 reigns across WWE/ECW/WCW, 8 in WWE alone), Edge & Christian (7 reigns), and The Hardy Boyz (8 reigns). Furthermore, they hold the record for the most SmackDown Tag Team Championship reigns with seven, and the longest Raw Tag Team Championship reign, a remarkable 483-day tenure that solidified their place in the annals of WWE history. This sustained success was significantly aided by their strategic application of the "Freebird Rule," a concept allowing any two members of a stable to defend the tag team championships. This rule enabled them to maintain freshness, manage individual performer’s health, and extend their reigns by presenting varied combinations to opponents.
The dynamics of The New Day shifted considerably in March 2022 when Big E suffered a severe neck injury during a match, effectively ending his in-ring career. Despite this setback, Kingston and Woods continued as a formidable tag team, carrying the legacy of the faction. Kingston’s last recorded appearance was on April 17, where he teamed with Grayson Waller in an unsuccessful attempt to capture the WWE Tag Team Championship. Woods, meanwhile, has been sidelined from active competition due to a shoulder injury, further impacting the team’s recent presence on WWE programming.
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Kofi Kingston’s journey within WWE is a testament to longevity and perseverance. He initially signed a developmental contract with the company two decades ago, eventually making his main roster debut in 2008. Over his extensive career, Kingston ascended to the pinnacle of the company, achieving a momentous WWE Championship reign, a crowning achievement often referred to as "KofiMania," which culminated at WrestleMania 35 in 2019. Beyond his tag team accolades, he has also held significant singles gold, including four Intercontinental Championship reigns and three United States Championship reigns, showcasing his versatility and sustained appeal across different divisions. His ability to connect with the audience, coupled with his high-flying, innovative offense, made him a consistent fan favorite.
Xavier Woods, who joined WWE’s developmental system in 2010, also carved out a distinguished career. Beyond his integral role in The New Day, Woods captured the prestigious King of the Ring tournament in 2021, a significant singles accomplishment that further elevated his profile. He is also widely recognized for his entrepreneurial ventures outside the ring, most notably as the creator and host of the highly popular YouTube channel "UpUpDownDown," which features WWE superstars and other personalities engaging in video games and various challenges. This platform significantly contributed to The New Day’s connection with a broader, digitally native audience, and showcased Woods’ innovative approach to fan engagement. His strategic mind and charismatic presence were often cited as key components of The New Day’s enduring success.
The departures extend beyond the veterans of The New Day, encompassing two members of the recently established and highly visible faction, The MFTs. JC Mateo and Tonga Loa are also reportedly no longer under WWE contract. Their exits come as a particular surprise given The MFTs’ integral and regular presence on SmackDown programming. The MFTs, an offshoot of the storied Anoa’i family faction The Bloodline, have been positioned as a central element in one of WWE’s most compelling ongoing storylines. Led by Solo Sikoa, the group has been embroiled in an intense and complex family feud involving Jacob Fatu, the Undisputed WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns, and The Usos. This narrative has been a cornerstone of SmackDown’s weekly presentation, and the unexpected removal of two key members from The MFTs raises immediate questions about the future direction of the storyline and the faction itself.
Tonga Loa, a former WWE Tag Team Champion from an earlier tenure with the company (where he competed as Camacho), notably rejoined the promotion in 2024. His return was a significant development, as he aligned with Tama Tonga, reinforcing Solo Sikoa’s burgeoning version of The Bloodline following Roman Reigns’ temporary absence. Loa’s experience and physical presence were seen as crucial additions to the faction, providing depth and legitimacy to their ongoing conflict. His sudden departure leaves a void in the group’s composition and raises speculation about the creative trajectory of The Bloodline saga.
JC Mateo, known outside of WWE by his established ring name Jeff Cobb, also finds his tenure with the company concluding abruptly. Mateo, an Olympian with a background in amateur wrestling, signed with WWE less than a year ago. His signing was met with considerable anticipation within the professional wrestling community, given his stellar reputation as a highly skilled in-ring performer with a powerful, athletic style cultivated in promotions such as New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), Ring of Honor (ROH), and Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG). His Olympic pedigree and acclaimed independent wrestling career suggested a high ceiling for his WWE run, making his swift exit a notable surprise and a potential missed opportunity for the company.
These latest departures contribute to a broader pattern of roster restructuring within WWE, a trend that has seen numerous talent releases in recent years, often following quarterly earnings reports or major business recalibrations. The 16 superstars released last week included other prominent names such as Kairi Sane, Aleister Black (who competed outside WWE as Malakai Black), and several members associated with the mysterious Wyatt Sicks faction. This ongoing series of cuts highlights the company’s continuous evaluation of its talent roster, aligning with its strategic objectives under the TKO Group Holdings umbrella, which emphasizes efficiency and profitability. The combined impact of these releases is expected to significantly alter the landscape of WWE programming, creating opportunities for new talent while leaving fans to ponder the next chapters for these departing stars in the global wrestling industry.
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