The departures of Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods were the result of New Day refusing TKO’s restructured contract terms, per Bryan Alvarez of Wrestling Observer.
According to Alvarez, the deals were not up. WWE asked them to restructure to TKO terms, and when they declined, they were granted their release.
Per Alvarez writing to Wrestling Observer subscribers, the situation played out as a contract negotiation breakdown rather than a typical expiration.
“We can also confirm that in the case of New Day, it was their decision to leave based on what TKO was offering for a new deal.”
“To be specific, New Day’s deals were not up. They were asked to restructure to TKO deals, they didn’t like the deals, so they were then granted their release.”
Alvarez also confirmed that both Kingston and Woods are under 90-day non-compete clauses, which is standard for WWE main roster releases. That window would extend through approximately late July 2026 before either could begin appearing for another major promotion.
The new information adds context to the wave of WWE departures that has accelerated since the TKO Group Holdings merger in September 2023 and the post-WrestleMania 42 roster reset.
Per Fightful Select, both Kingston and Woods had signed multi-year contract extensions in October 2025, with Kingston reportedly signed through 2030. The fact that they were asked to restructure those deals less than a year later and chose to walk rather than agree underscores how significantly the new TKO terms differ from what was originally signed.
Kingston, real name Kofi Sarkodie-Mensah, signed with WWE in 2006 and is a former WWE Champion, four-time Intercontinental Champion, and the first African-born world champion in WWE history. Woods, real name Austin Watson, joined WWE in 2010 after a stint in TNA as Consequences Creed and is a former King of the Ring winner. One would expect that they would be welcomed with open arms in AEW.
The pair are 13-time WWE tag team champions as members of The New Day with Big E. Big E has been retired from in-ring competition since suffering a broken neck in March 2022.
Neither Kingston nor Woods has publicly commented on the departures as of this writing.
