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Big E’s WWE Future After Kofi Kingston And Xavier Woods’ Sudden Departures

By Neda Ali • Published May 08, 2026 06:53 EDT
Big E WWE
An update has emerged on Big E's future. [Source: WWE.com]

The New Day’s Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods are no longer with WWE. Now, a new report has emerged on the future of Big E following the departure of his former stablemates.

On May 2, 2026, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods departed WWE, ending a 12-year run for the faction. The news hit fast and hard. According to Dave Meltzer, both men had signed new contracts in 2025 that were set to run through 2030, but TKO reportedly approached them about taking pay cuts. They refused and walked away. That context matters. This wasn’t a simple budget cut – it was a negotiation that broke down.

The dynamic within The New Day had already been fracturing well before this. In December 2024, Kingston and Woods turned heel on Monday Night RAW and kicked Big E out of the faction entirely, accusing him of not having their back following his injury recovery. Big E had been away since suffering a broken neck in March 2022 and was never medically cleared to return to in-ring competition. Kingston and Woods moved forward without him.

Update on Big E’s WWE future following The New Day’s exit

Some fans questioned whether the former WWE Champion would also leave the company now that his former New Day stablemates have departed. A report from WrestleVotes Radio on Fightful Select noted that Big E will remain with WWE in his current role on WWE’s PLE Kickoff shows.

The 40-year-old is viewed internally as a “valuable presence” and a key factor in the success of the pre-shows. He’s been in that role for years since his injury.

Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods will officially be free agents once their 90-day non-compete clause expires. It will be interesting to see what the future holds for Big E and where Kingston and Woods end up signing.

Also read: Big E’s Emotional Reaction To The New Day’s WWE Departure