Every NXT talent WWE released today (September 5, 2026)

WWE releases several NXT and developmental talents in latest round of cuts

WWE has released several developmental talents as the company continues to make cuts across its NXT and Performance Center system.

The departures include established WWE NXT names, EVOLVE performers and recruits who had yet to make their television debuts. WWE has not issued an official statement on the releases.

Unlike main roster talent, the released developmental wrestlers are expected to be subject to 30-day non-compete clauses before they can officially work elsewhere.

Full list of NXT and developmental stars released by WWE

• Jasper Troy — Former WWE Speed Champion and WWE LFG Season 1 winner. He appeared on NXT Level Up, LFG and Main Event, with his final NXT TV match coming against Dion Lennox in June. Troy appeared to confirm his departure by posting “30 Days” and has since changed his name on X to Kairo D. Reign, while opening himself up for bookings.
• PJ Vasa — The EVOLVE and WWE LFG talent confirmed her departure on social media. “God is good, all the time. All the time, God is good! Fa’afetai I le Atua. Thank you, WWE, for opening the door for me into pro wrestling… what a journey! Looking forward to more motion, more blessings, more life 🙏🏽” Her final WWE match came against Laynie Luck on August 26.
• Ellen Akesson — The Swedish powerlifter and arm wrestler joined the Performance Center in March 2026 but never reached NXT television. She posted that she had received “unexpected sad news” following her release.
• Wendy Choo — The former EVOLVE Women’s Champion was known for her unique sleepy gimmick in NXT before adopting a darker character. Her final WWE match was a dark match against Karmen Petrovic on August 25.
• Adriana Rizzo — Best known for her association with the D’Angelo Family, Rizzo wrestled around 40 matches for WWE. Her final match came against PJ Vasa at a Florida house show on August 21.
• Zena Sterling — The former bodybuilder and WWE LFG Season 1 runner-up competed across EVOLVE and NXT live events. She wrestled more than 60 matches during her WWE tenure.
• Braxton Cole — The 26-year-old former football player competed on EVOLVE, NXT live events and WWE LFG. His final WWE match came on LFG against Dorian Van Dux on August 23.
• Anya Rune — The 21-year-old WWE ID talent, previously known as Airica Demia, competed five times for EVOLVE without recording a victory. She also continued wrestling on the independent scene.
• Marcus Brown — The bodybuilder and fitness influencer joined WWE’s latest Performance Center rookie class but never made his NXT television or in-ring debut before being released.
• Gary Wilson — The NXT and NXT Level Up referee was released by WWE on September 5, 2026, as part of the latest developmental roster cuts. Wilson had been working as a referee across WWE’s developmental programming before his departure.

WWE continues to make changes across its developmental system

The latest departures follow a larger series of WWE releases throughout 2026, including cuts involving both main roster and NXT talent.

Earlier NXT departures included Andre Chase, Tyra Mae Steele, Dante Chen and Luca Crusifino, while other notable names released during the year included Kairi Sane, Aleister Black, Zelina Vega and Santos Escobar.

WWE’s developmental system has also continued to evolve through NXT, EVOLVE, LFG and the WWE ID program, making the latest cuts particularly notable for the number of talents affected across different platforms.

For the released wrestlers, the next opportunity will come after their respective non-compete periods expire.

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