WWE Releases 2026: Full List of Superstars Cut After WrestleMania 42
Just six days after the lights went down on WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas, WWE dropped a bombshell that nobody saw coming. On Friday, April 24, 2026, the company released over 20 superstars in one of the most brutal post-Mania roster cuts in recent memory. From the entire Wyatt Sicks faction to former champions like Aleister Black and Kairi Sane, the wrestling world is still processing the fallout.
WWE WrestleMania 42 took place April 18-19, 2026, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. (Image: WWE.com)
Table of Contents
Full List of WWE Releases (April 24, 2026)
WWE's annual "spring cleaning" arrived right on schedule, but the scale of this year's cuts caught everyone off guard. According to multiple reports from Forbes, USA Today, and CBS Sports, at least 23 wrestlers were let go in a single day.
| Superstar | Role | Tenure Highlight |
|---|---|---|
| Aleister Black | Wrestler | Returned April 2025; beat Randy Orton, Sami Zayn in 2026 |
| Zelina Vega | Wrestler/Manager | 2nd Women's US Champion (April 2025) |
| Kairi Sane | Wrestler | 3x Women's Tag Team Champion; returned 2023 |
| Bo Dallas (Uncle Howdy) | Wrestler | Led Wyatt Sicks; former Tag Team Champion |
| Nikki Cross | Wrestler | WWE veteran since 2016; Wyatt Sicks member |
| Joe Gacy | Wrestler | Wyatt Sicks member; former NXT North American Champion |
| Dexter Lumis | Wrestler | Wyatt Sicks member; unique horror gimmick |
| Erick Rowan | Wrestler | Wyatt Sicks member; former Tag Team Champion |
| Motor City Machine Guns | Tag Team | Alex Shelley & Chris Sabin; won WWE Tag Titles in 2024 |
| Santos Escobar | Wrestler | Led Legado Del Fantasma; former NXT Cruiserweight Champion |
| Apollo Crews | Wrestler | Former US & Intercontinental Champion (2019-2021) |
| Zoey Stark | Wrestler | Injured May 2025 (ACL/MCL/meniscus); never returned |
| Alba Fyre | Wrestler | Former NXT UK Women's Champion; 7 years with WWE |
| Andre Chase | Wrestler | Chase U founder; 2x NXT Tag Team Champion |
| Dante Chen | Wrestler | First Singaporean-born WWE star |
| Luca Crusifino | Wrestler | Former D'Angelo Family member (NXT) |
| Tyra Mae Steele | Wrestler | 2021 Tokyo Olympics gold medalist; WWE LFG winner |
| Malik Blade | Wrestler | NXT developmental talent |
| Tyson Dupont | Wrestler | NXT developmental talent |
| Tyriek Igwe | Wrestler | NXT developmental talent |
| Chris Island | Wrestler | NXT developmental talent |
| Sirena Linton | Wrestler | NXT developmental talent |
| Trill London | Wrestler | NXT developmental talent |
The Wyatt Sicks: Entire Faction Gone
Perhaps the most heartbreaking cut of all? The complete dissolution of the Wyatt Sicks. Bo Dallas (Uncle Howdy), Nikki Cross, Joe Gacy, Dexter Lumis, and Erick Rowan were all released simultaneously, effectively ending the faction created to honor the late Bray Wyatt.
The Wyatt Sicks faction debuted in June 2024 to honor Bray Wyatt's legacy. (Image: WWE/Forbes)
The group debuted in June 2024 as a tribute to Windham Rotunda (Bray Wyatt), who passed away in August 2023. Dallas told USA Today in October 2024 that the faction was designed to keep his brother's creative vision alive. "The world gets the chance to see that even though he's gone, his ideas and legacy are still going through," Dallas said.
Ironically, the group had just wrapped their final storyline on the April 17 SmackDown, losing an eight-man tag team street fight to the MFTs. It seems WWE used that match as a convenient off-ramp. The Wyatt Sicks held the WWE Tag Team Championships once, with Gacy and Lumis defending the titles.
Nikki Cross, who had been with WWE since 2016, posted a heartfelt goodbye on social media: "Goodbye and thank you, WWE. I'm really excited for whatever my next chapter will hold." [^6^]
Most Shocking Names on the List
While roster cuts are expected after WrestleMania, several names left fans genuinely stunned:
Aleister Black & Zelina Vega
The real-life married couple were both cut despite being active on SmackDown. Black had just returned to WWE in April 2025 after a successful AEW run and had won his last three matches in 2026, including victories over Randy Orton and then-US Champion Sami Zayn. [^8^] Vega, who became the second Women's United States Champion in April 2025, confirmed her release during a Twitch stream, noting she received the call from TKO at 5:09 PM. [^2^]
Kairi Sane
Sane was in the middle of an active storyline with Asuka and Iyo Sky on Raw. She had returned to WWE in 2023, reformed the Kabuki Warriors with Asuka, and became a three-time Women's Tag Team Champion. Her last match came on the Raw After WrestleMania 42, just days before her release. [^6^]
Motor City Machine Guns
The legendary tag team of Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin lasted less than two years in WWE. They won the WWE Tag Team Championship in just their second match after debuting in October 2024, but opportunities dried up after SummerSlam 2025. [^6^]
Aleister Black and Zelina Vega were released as a married couple despite both being active on SmackDown. (Image: CBS Sports)
NXT and Developmental Talent Released
WWE didn't just trim the main roster. Several NXT and developmental performers were also let go, including:
- Andre Chase – The Chase U founder and two-time NXT Tag Team Champion confirmed his departure with a signature "teachable moment" post. [^6^]
- Dante Chen – WWE's first Singaporean-born star, who spent five years in NXT and EVOLVE.
- Tyra Mae Steele – A 2021 Tokyo Olympics gold medalist and winner of WWE's "LFG" series.
- Luca Crusifino – Former member of The D'Angelo Family.
Non-Compete Clauses: When Can They Wrestle Again?
Here's where it gets interesting for fans wondering where these stars might land. According to PWTorch and Wrestling Headlines, standard WWE non-compete clauses apply:
| Roster Level | Non-Compete Period | Earliest Appearance Date |
|---|---|---|
| Main Roster | 90 days | July 24, 2026 |
| NXT / Developmental | 30 days | May 25, 2026 |
That July 24 date is particularly juicy. It's exactly one month before AEW's All In 2026 at Wembley Stadium. Coincidence? Probably not. Wrestling fans are already speculating about potential surprise appearances. [^20^]
What's Next for Released Superstars?
The independent wrestling scene and AEW are about to get a massive talent injection. Here's the realistic breakdown:
AEW Bound? Aleister Black (formerly Malakai Black) already has history with AEW, making him the most likely candidate for a quick return. Motor City Machine Guns also have strong ties to Impact Wrestling and the indie circuit. Tommaso Ciampa, released earlier in January 2026, debuted in AEW just one week later and won the TNT Championship in his first match. [^23^]
Japan Return? Kairi Sane previously wrestled in Stardom before her first WWE run. A return to Japan isn't out of the question, though she may also explore AEW given the company's working relationship with Japanese promotions.
Indie Circuit: Andre Chase has already opened his booking email. Zoey Stark, recovering from a devastating knee injury, thanked WWE for their support during her healing process but is now a free agent.
Video: Full breakdown of the April 24, 2026 WWE releases and fan reactions. (Source: YouTube)
Fan Reactions and Social Media Buzz
The wrestling internet did what it does best: exploded. Within hours, #WWEreleases was trending across Twitter/X and Reddit. The most common sentiment? Shock at the Wyatt Sicks being dismantled entirely, and frustration that Aleister Black was cut after being built up with wins over top stars.
Former WWE star Top Dolla, himself released in a previous round, offered perspective: "It seems like a good day to remind people that sometimes bad news is good news." He's now thriving in TNA. [^3^]
Alba Fyre took a different tone, tweeting that her former persona "Kay Lee Ray would batter Alba Fyre. Just saying." [^2^] Sometimes, a little humor is the best medicine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many WWE superstars were released on April 24, 2026?
At least 23 wrestlers were released, including 15 main roster stars and 8 developmental talents. [^1^]
Q: Why does WWE release talent after WrestleMania?
It's become an annual tradition. Post-Mania cuts make room for NXT call-ups and new signings while refreshing storylines for the new "season." [^3^]
Q: Can released WWE stars immediately join AEW?
Main roster talent must wait 90 days due to non-compete clauses. NXT talent only faces a 30-day restriction. [^21^]
Q: Was the Wyatt Sicks storyline finished before the releases?
Yes. The faction lost an eight-man tag team street fight to the MFTs on the April 17 SmackDown, which served as their final appearance. [^8^]
Q: Who is the biggest surprise release?
Most fans point to Aleister Black and Zelina Vega, given Black's recent push with wins over Randy Orton and Sami Zayn, and Vega's reign as Women's US Champion just one year ago. [^8^]
