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Stamford, CT – May 2, 2026 – World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) has announced the departure of four prominent talents, Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods, JC Mateo, and Tonga Loa, marking a significant continuation of roster adjustments initiated last week. The exits, confirmed by professional wrestling journalists Sean Ross Sapp and Cory Hays, include two integral members of the highly decorated tag team, The New Day, and two figures from the recently established MFT faction, adding to the sixteen superstars released just seven days prior. This latest wave of departures underscores a period of notable transition for the global sports entertainment giant, impacting key divisions and ongoing storylines across both Raw and SmackDown.
The most surprising development involves Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods, who have mutually agreed to part ways with WWE, effectively bringing an end, for now, to the storied tenure of The New Day. Formed in 2014, The New Day originally included Big E Langston and debuted with a controversial, overtly upbeat gospel-inspired gimmick that was initially met with widespread fan rejection and derision. This early stumble prompted a strategic creative pivot, granting the trio greater liberty to infuse their authentic personalities into their characters. This shift proved to be a masterstroke, leading to the adoption of unique and now iconic elements such as unicorn horns, pancake giveaways, anime references, and the distinctive Francesca the trombone. Through these unconventional means, The New Day evolved from a derided act into one of the most humorously annoying and universally beloved factions in professional wrestling history, connecting with audiences by embracing shared interests and showcasing their vibrant chemistry and comedic timing.
The legacy of The New Day is indelibly etched in WWE’s record books, particularly within its highly competitive tag team division. Their thirteen WWE-branded tag team championship reigns stand as the most in company history, a testament to their sustained excellence, adaptability, and enduring popularity. This impressive tally includes seven reigns with the SmackDown Tag Team Championship, another company record, and a monumental 483-day reign as Raw Tag Team Champions, establishing them as the longest-reigning holders of that particular title. The group innovatively utilized the "Freebird Rule," a concept allowing any two members of a three-person team to defend the championship. This not only kept their act fresh and unpredictable but also ensured all members shared in their collective success and visibility, contributing to the longevity and widespread appeal of the faction.
The dynamic of The New Day shifted significantly in March 2022 when Big E suffered a severe neck injury during a match, specifically a broken C1 and C2 vertebrae, effectively ending his in-ring career indefinitely. Despite this profound setback, Kingston and Woods continued to operate as a formidable tag team, carrying the group’s banner and maintaining their presence in the championship picture. Kofi Kingston, a veteran of 20 years with WWE since signing a developmental deal, made his main roster debut in 2008. His extensive career highlights extend beyond tag team success, notably including a momentous WWE Championship victory at WrestleMania 35 in 2019. This emotional triumph, widely dubbed "Kofimania," captivated audiences globally and represented a culmination of his decade-plus journey to the top of the company, earning him widespread acclaim and respect. Kingston also boasts four Intercontinental Championship reigns and three United States Championship reigns, solidifying his status as a highly decorated singles competitor. His last televised appearance was on April 17, participating in a failed bid for the WWE Tag Team Titles alongside Grayson Waller, a match that provided no public indication of an impending departure.
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Xavier Woods, who joined WWE’s developmental system in 2010, also carved out a distinguished career, demonstrating a blend of athleticism, charisma, and intellectual depth. Beyond his numerous tag team accolades with The New Day, Woods is a former King of the Ring winner, a prestigious tournament victory that elevated his individual standing within the company. Woods has also been instrumental in expanding WWE’s digital footprint through his highly popular YouTube channel, UpUpDownDown, which successfully blends professional wrestling content with gaming culture. This venture has showcased his multifaceted talents and entrepreneurial spirit, attracting a significant following beyond traditional wrestling viewership. He is currently sidelined due to a shoulder injury, the specifics of which and his recovery timeline had not been publicly detailed prior to this announcement. The departure of both Kingston and Woods leaves a significant void in the tag team division and removes two of the most recognizable and consistently popular figures from the active WWE roster.
In parallel to The New Day’s exit, WWE also confirmed the release of JC Mateo and Tonga Loa, two members of The MFTs. This faction, an offshoot of the prominent and long-running Bloodline storyline, has maintained a regular and often impactful presence on SmackDown programming. Led by Solo Sikoa, The MFTs have recently been embroiled in a high-profile internal conflict within the Bloodline saga, engaging in a heated feud with Jacob Fatu, Roman Reigns, and The Usos. This ongoing storyline, which has been a cornerstone of SmackDown’s narrative for several years, now faces an unexpected creative adjustment with the departure of two key players, potentially requiring a significant recalibration of future plot developments.
Tonga Loa, a former WWE tag team champion from an earlier tenure with the company (where he competed as Camacho and later Tanga Loa in other promotions), notably rejoined WWE in 2024 alongside his brother Tama Tonga. His return was strategically positioned as a significant reinforcement for Solo Sikoa’s contingent within the Bloodline narrative, adding a layer of authenticity and physical presence to the faction. His prior championship success and familial ties to wrestling royalty, including his father Haku, provided him with a unique standing and immediate credibility. The specifics of his departure, particularly given his recent re-entry and active role in a major storyline, have not been publicly elaborated upon by WWE officials.
JC Mateo, known globally as Jeff Cobb prior to his WWE signing, arrived with considerable fanfare less than a year ago. An accomplished Olympian, Mateo represented Guam in amateur wrestling at the 2004 Athens Olympics, a testament to his elite athletic background. His reputation as an elite-level athlete and a highly regarded independent professional wrestler, having achieved significant success in promotions like Ring of Honor (ROH), New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), and Pro Wrestling Guerrilla (PWG), led to high expectations upon his WWE arrival. His relatively short tenure, however, saw him primarily integrated into The MFTs without the opportunity to showcase his full in-ring capabilities or achieve the prominent singles push many industry observers and fans had anticipated. His departure raises questions about the utilization of talent with established independent wrestling credentials within the WWE system.
These four departures follow a substantial round of cuts implemented last week, which saw sixteen other WWE superstars released from their contracts. Among those released were notable names such as Kairi Sane, a former NXT Women’s Champion and Women’s Tag Team Champion known for her distinctive high-flying style; Aleister Black (now known as Malakai Black outside WWE), a former NXT Champion with a unique dark persona and striking ability; and the entirety of the Wyatt Sicks faction, a group that had only recently debuted and carried the weighty legacy of the late Bray Wyatt. The reasons for these cumulative releases have not been officially disclosed by WWE, but industry observers often cite a combination of factors including budgetary considerations, creative direction changes, and ongoing talent roster evaluations post-merger of WWE and UFC under TKO Group Holdings.
The continuous nature of these roster adjustments signals a strategic re-evaluation of talent by WWE’s corporate structure. While the company frequently cycles talent through its developmental and main rosters, the release of established, high-profile names like Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods, alongside promising or recently integrated talents such as Mateo and Loa, within such a short timeframe, suggests a more significant shift in talent philosophy or operational strategy. The impact of these departures will be felt across both the Raw and SmackDown rosters, particularly within the tag team division and the evolving Bloodline storyline. As WWE continues to navigate the complexities of its expanded global enterprise under TKO, the landscape of its talent roster appears to be in a state of ongoing transformation, with further shifts potentially on the horizon.
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