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Top WWE Star On The New Day’s Departure: “Locker Room Hurts”

By Neda Ali • Published May 03, 2026 09:45 EDT
The New Day xavier woods kofi kingston
The New Day

WWE’s post-WrestleMania 42 roster purge has not stopped. In the days after ‘Mania, WWE released more than 20 superstars in a single wave, including Kairi Sane, Aleister Black, Zelina Vega, and the entire Wyatt Sicks, among others.

Now, The New Day’s Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods have left WWE. The two stars mutually parted ways with the Stamford-based company.

Bryan Alvarez of the Wrestling Observer confirmed it was Kingston and Woods’ choice to leave. It was reported that The New Day was asked by TKO to accept new deals on less favorable terms. However, the two stars declined, asked for their release, and the request was granted.

Those deals would have tied them to WWE well into 2030. A 90-day non-compete clause is part of their exit, meaning new signings elsewhere are still a few months away.

Following their departure, the WWE Universe and the locker room have sent their love and best wishes to The New Day.

Damian Priest shares his feelings on The New Day’s departure

Former WWE World Heavyweight Champion Damian Priest took to his X account to send a message to Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods following their departure.

Priest has been in that locker room long enough to understand what this group meant beyond the television product.

Locker room hurts on this #NewDay. All love for @AustinCreedWins and @TrueKofi.

The New Day will go down as one of the greatest tag teams of all time. They have 13 WWE tag team title reigns, including the most as SmackDown Tag Team Champions at seven and the longest RAW Tag Team Title reign at 483 days. Kofi Kingston debuted on the main roster in 2008, and Xavier Woods signed in 2013.

Their heel turn at the end of 2024, where they brutally betrayed Big E in one of the most shocking promos of the year, was supposed to mark the beginning of a fresh chapter. However, WWE never followed through.

It remains to be seen if they end up joining AEW or any other promotion.

Also read: Real Reason For The New Day’s WWE Departure Revealed