The official wrap-up of Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods’ WWE departures was supposed to be more substantial. According to Fightful Select, a joint statement from the New Day and WWE was planned to announce the exits but ultimately never went out.
The reason for the joint statement falling through is unknown, though WWE did privately acknowledge Kingston and Woods’ contributions to the company in glowing terms. The only public sign from WWE has been Kingston and Woods being moved to the alumni section of WWE.com. Both wrestlers have since released individual statements addressing the move.
The duo were granted their releases over the weekend after WWE asked them to take pay cuts as part of the company’s broader cost-reduction directive from TKO. Kingston and Woods turned down the request and asked for their releases, both of which were accepted. They will be subject to 90-day non-compete clauses.
Kingston is leaving WWE after 20 years, while Woods spent 16 years with the company. AEW is reportedly already showing interest in the duo, with several talents in the promotion publicly pushing for the company to bring them in once their non-competes expire.
