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BREAKING: WWE Releases Multiple Superstars From Main Roster, NXT

By John Canton • Published Apr 24, 2026 18:46 EDT
Wyatt Sicks WWE
Wyatt Sicks - Image via WWE.com

The annual post-WrestleMania releases have taken place with several superstars from Raw, SmackDown, and NXT getting cut from the WWE roster.

WrestleMania season is a time of celebration for many people in WWE, but in the days that follow, the company usually releases several wrestlers. It has happened this year, too. This information comes from Fightful Select and PWInsider.

For clarification’s sake, Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful noted that these are considered departures because, in some cases, it’s WWE choosing not to renew a contract that is about to expire. In other instances, they are wrestlers getting released.

Here’s an updated list of who has been released so far, including the entire Wyatt Sicks stable:

* Bo Dallas/Uncle Howdy

* Joe Gacy

* Erick Rowan

* Dexter Lumis

* Nikki Cross

* Alba Fyre

* Zoey Stark – It was reported that she was recently cleared to return after being injured with a knee injury since May 2025.

* Alex Shelley of the Motor City Machine Guns

* Chris Sabin of the Motor City Machine Guns

* Santos Escobar

* Aleister Black

* Zelina

* Kairi Sane

* Apollo Crews

* Andre Chase from NXT

* Dante Chen from NXT

Several more names from NXT were released: Malik Blake, Luca Crusifino, Tyson, Tyriek, Chris Island, Tyra Mae Steele, Sirena Linton, and Trill London.

This post will be updated as more names are announced.

Former WWE Women’s Champion Nikki Cross wrote this message on social media:

Goodbye and Thank you WWE

I’m really excited for whatever my next chapter will hold.

Thank you all for the continued love and support.

Special thank you to Robbie Brookside and William Regal for helping this dream come true.

Thank you to the wrestlers, coaches, producers and all the backstage crew who make all this possible.

To the amazing girls in locker room ❤️

Here’s what NXT’s Andre Chase said in a video on social media:

“As of today I’ve officially been released from my WWE contract, and I just want to say thank you. Thank you for all the support. Thank you to everybody who threw up the U at the shows, bought my t-shirt, bought my action figure, played me on WWE 2K, just know you truly helped make something out of nothing.

“When I signed with WWE on the first day it was made abundantly clear I was never gonna be on television, I was never meant to be a superstar, I was just here to pass on my knowledge to a younger generation.

“Then something changed, and it was because of your support. It was because of the connection we had. Suddenly I had whole arenas chanting Chase U and spelling Chase U, and I’m forever grateful to everybody who helped me get to that point. We won championships in WWE and that was definitely something you guys did, and I’m so grateful for it.

“So thank you so much, the chapter is closed on my WWE career, but my chapter is not closed on professional wrestling, so stay tuned, and hopefully I’m gonna be in a town near you very soon.”

WWE Presents Post-WrestleMania SmackDown

These releases are taking place as WWE is set to present the post-WrestleMania edition of SmackDown on April 24th. Here’s the advertised SmackDown lineup.

  • Cody Rhodes returns after being savagely punted by Randy Orton at WrestleMania
  • Rhea Ripley joins SmackDown as the new WWE Women’s Champion
  • Trick Williams to celebrate with Lil Yachty after capturing the United States Title
  • Giulia vs. Tiffany Stratton | Women’s United States Championship Match
  • Paige joins Brie Bella on SmackDown after capturing the WWE Women’s Tag Team Title
  • Jacob Fatu will be LIVE on SmackDown after confronting Roman Reigns on Raw

It has also been reported that R-Truth and Damian Priest are expected to defend the WWE Tag Team Titles against MFT’s JC Mateo and Tama Tonga. That could be added during the show, along with other content on SmackDown.