Overview
- Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods mutually departed WWE in early May and are observing a 90-day non-compete that prevents them from wrestling for other televised promotions right away.
- Big E confirmed the non-compete on record and said he does not believe the pair are retired while he voiced support for their decision to step away.
- Industry reporting says the exits followed offers of reduced pay under new WWE ownership that Kingston and Woods declined, a proximate reason for their decision to leave.
- Several AEW talents have publicly speculated about signing the duo but any deal is blocked until the non-compete expires, which creates a likely window for moves in early August.
- The departures remove two members of New Day, a team formed in 2014 that held WWE tag gold repeatedly, while Big E remains with WWE in a non-wrestling ambassador and hosting role after doctors advised him not to return to active competition.