Shocking Reason Behind The New Day’s WWE Exit Confirmed

TKO has been aggressively reducing its payroll following WrestleMania 42, and The New Day has been affected by the reduction.

As part of the post-WrestleMania 42 spring cleaning, WWE released major stars like Kairi Sane, Aleister Black, Zelina Vega, and more. Shortly after, news involving The New Day, along with JC Matteo and Tonga Loa, leaving WWE also went viral on social media.

According to reports, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods left WWE after TKO asked them to take a pay cut on their existing contract and sign a new deal with less favorable terms. Both declined the new offers and requested their release, which WWE granted.

The New Day’s Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods Requested Release After TKO Pay Cut Demand

Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer recently confirmed The New Day’s exit from WWE, reporting that they were indeed asked to take a pay cut on the deal they signed in 2025, which was set to run until 2030. They chose not to accept the pay cut and subsequently left the company.

“The stories on New Day that largely broke yesterday are accurate in that they were asked to take a pay cut on a deal signed in 2025 that was to go to 2030. They didn’t accept the pay cut and left on their own.”

Both Kingston and Woods are currently under a 90-day non-compete clause, meaning they cannot sign or perform for another wrestling promotion until early August 2026.

However, both veterans are expected to be in high demand once their clauses expire. Given their star power, they could easily land in top promotions like AEW or TNA.

Kofi Kingston signed with WWE in September 2006, while Xavier Woods joined the company in July 2010. The duo was part of The New Day for 12 years.

Following Woods and Kingston’s release, Big E is the only member who remains with WWE. He is currently in a backstage/administrative role after retiring from in-ring competition in 2023 due to a serious neck injury.

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