The reason for The New Day’s shocking exit from WWE is reportedly revealed.
According to Fightful (via Fightful Select) and Cory Hays of Bodyslam, The New Day’s Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods have mutually agreed on their release from WWE. They will have to adhere to the standard 90-day waiting period before they can sign with other promotions.
The report notes that the promotion had asked Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods to restructure their recently signed contracts. However, The New Day didn’t agree to the restructuring and instead asked for their release. WWE wrestlers immediately expressed their shock at their decision, with many echoing the sentiment that they believed the former tag team champions would be WWE lifers. But that was soon met with a growing sense that nobody falls under that category anymore.
Kofi Kingston can still use the “Kofi” part of his name since it is his birth name. However, WWE owns the rights to the name Xavier Woods, but he’s already worked to establish his “Austin Creed” name outside WWE programming. The promotion also owns the rights to “The New Day” and cannot be used elsewhere.
The New Day’s exit is reportedly a result of TKO’s directive to WWE
Fightful further reported that the sources they spoke to claim TKO tasked WWE with shedding millions of dollars in payroll, which led to a large set of releases and departures over the past week. The New Day makes well into the seven figures, and is expected to get immediate interest from other promotions. Major names in AEW are already reportedly pushing for the company to sign both Kingston and Woods.
Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods had signed new WWE deals last year, which would’ve carried them well into 2030. The report also mentions that The New Day had decided upon their departure from the promotion by last Monday.
Kofi Kingston was one of the longest-tenured superstars in WWE, having signed with the promotion in 2006. Xavier Woods joined the company in 2010. It will be interesting to see where they end up next.
