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Xavier Woods Issues Emotional Statement After WWE Departure

By Gaurav Singh • Published May 05, 2026 05:50 EDT
Xavier Woods WWE
Xavier Woods on WWE exit (Source-WWE.com)

Following his surprising WWE exit, Xavier Woods sent out a long, emotional message through social media.

Xavier Woods recently departed the WWE, along with his New Day stablemate, Kofi Kingston. They were reportedly asked to take a pay cut on their existing deals, which they refused.

Xavier had been with the WWE since 2011 until his recent departure. Aside from his in-ring career, Woods was also the face of the video game channel, ‘UpUpDownDown’, under Stamford-based promotion.

Xavier Woods issued a long message after departing from WWE

Xavier Woods took to his X social media handle after the WWE exit to recall his 16-year run in the WWE:

For the past 16 years, WWE has been my home. It’s where I grew up, found myself, failed, learned, and got to live out things the younger version of me could only dream about. When I first walked into FCW, I just wanted a chance to prove I belonged and to bring something different to professional wrestling. That chance became a life full of moments I’ll carry with me forever — WrestleMania, championships, King of the Ring, arenas around the world, and the gift of connecting with all of you by being myself.”

Woods especially acknowledged his time in the New Day with Big E and Kofi Kingston:

The New Day gave me a bond with @TrueKofi and @WWEBigE that I’ll cherish for life. You believed in us, even when our ideas were wild, and because of that, we got to show people that being unapologetically yourself is a strength. UpUpDownDown became another piece of that same mission: a place for joy, friendship, and humanity. I’m so thankful to everyone, past and present, who helped build it brick by brick.”

Xavier Woods concluded by thanking everyone working in the WWE:

To the locker room, producers, trainers, crew, camera teams, ring crew, everyone behind the scenes, and the props department – thank you. WWE has the most special and hardest working props department that youll ever find. Love you guys and none of this happens without you. And to everyone who has been part of this ride: thank you for believing in me. Thank you for letting me be Xavier Woods. Thank you for giving me the confidence… to walk away as Austin Creed.”

It remains to be seen what the future holds for Xavier Woods.

Also read: Kofi Kingston Finally Breaks Silence After WWE Exit

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