WWE Releases 15 Wrestlers - Braun Strowman, Shayna Baszler Amongst Names Let Go (WWE News)
Friday night was filled with WWE releases across the main roster and NXT.
WWE announced a string of talent releases that rocked Friday night's news cycles.
Fightful Select reported that no less than 15 wrestlers had been released from their contracts during a whirlwind evening of emotional social media posts, support from those who had been through similar with WWE before, and feedback from fans who were particularly surprised by a handful of the names included.
The full list of workers let go is as follows: Braun Strowman, Shayna Baszler, Dakota Kai, Kayden Carter, Katana Chance, Cora Jade, Gigi Dolin, Eddy Thorpe, Riley Osborne, Jakara Jackson, Wolfgang, Joe Coffey, Mark Coffey (thus ending Gallus as an ongoing concern on NXT programming), Ora Mensah and Javier Bernal.
Strowman, Baszler and Kai are definitely the highest profile releases. Braun had recently been a regular opponent for mega-push recipient and new United States Champion Jacob Fatu. Together, the pair worked a series of matches on TV and for other specials like Saturday Night's Main Event - Strowman and Fatu had visible chemistry as enemies, and most of their matches were well-received.
Meanwhile, Shayna had been in a tag-team with Zoey Stark. They'd come together as part of the Pure Fusion Collective headed up by fellow WWE alumni Sonya Deville in the summer of 2024. Deville was released herself in February 2025, but Baszler and Stark continued on as a duo.
Fightful noted that main roster stars like Strowman, Baszler, Kai, Chance and Carter will have 90-day non compete clauses after leaving the company. In other words, they've got 3 months to digest their departures and prepare for the future.
Some WWE Releases Stunned Fans On Social Media
Many fans were left stunned by news filtering through that Dakota Kai had been let go. Braun was a big enough surprise, but Kai seemed to have a definite upside and bright future in the women's division. She'd been a key part of the old Damage CTRL stable alongside the likes of Bayley, IYO SKY, Asuka and Kairi Sane, and had recently been in the mix for the Women's Intercontinental Title.
Most reasoned that it was only a matter of time before Triple H's writing team came through for Dakota and turned her into a focal point on TV. That could still happen in the future if she ever returns to WWE, but it apparently wasn't on the cards for this run.
Fellow female stars such as Gigi Dolin and Cora Jade also raised some eyebrows. Both had been heavily involved on NXT programming for years, and it looked likely they'd snare respective main roster berths someday. Meanwhile, Fightful noted that some in NXT's system knew that Jakara Jackson was on the way out due to her split from regular partner Lash Legend.
It's understood that most of the developmental crew cut loose will have 30-day non compete clauses to contend with. As usual, they'll be paid for this time period whilst figuring out what's next for their careers.
Wrestling fans worldwide will surely come together and wish these men and women all the very best.