WWE Releases Aleister Black, Kairi Sane, Wyatt Sicks After WrestleMania 42/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ WWE made major roster cuts following WrestleMania 42, releasing Aleister Black, Zelina Vega, Kairi Sane, and several members of the Wyatt Sicks. The surprising post-WrestleMania shakeup also included Apollo Crews, Santos Escobar, Motor City Machine Guns, and multiple NXT talents. Several stars confirmed their exits publicly, with Nikki Cross sharing an emotional farewell message to WWE and fans.
WWE Roster Cuts Quick Looks
- Aleister Black and Zelina Vega were among the biggest releases
- Kairi Sane also exited despite being involved in a major storyline
- The Wyatt Sicks faction was reportedly released
- Nikki Cross shared a goodbye message on social media
- Bo Dallas, Joe Gacy, Dexter Lumis, and Erick Rowan were cut
- Motor City Machine Guns and Apollo Crews were also released
- Several NXT stars including Andre Chase and Dante Chen were let go
Deep Look
WWE Makes Major Post-WrestleMania 42 Roster Cuts
WWE made sweeping roster changes Friday following WrestleMania 42, parting ways with a long list of main roster and NXT superstars in one of the biggest post-Mania shakeups in recent memory.
Among the biggest names released were Aleister Black, Zelina Vega, Kairi Sane, and multiple members of the Wyatt Sicks faction.
The news sent shockwaves through the wrestling world, especially because several of the released stars had recently been featured prominently on SmackDown and Raw storylines.
As often happens after WrestleMania season, WWE reassessed its roster, but this year’s cuts included several names fans did not expect.
The departures of Black and Vega quickly became the most talked-about moves.
Aleister Black’s Release Surprises Fans
Aleister Black’s exit is considered one of the biggest surprises of the roster cuts.
Black had become a regular presence on SmackDown and was positioned firmly in the upper midcard scene.
He had won his last three matches this year, including victories over Sami Zayn, who was the United States champion at the time in a non-title match, WrestleMania main-eventer Randy Orton, and Matt Cardona.
That momentum made his release especially unexpected.
Black had returned to WWE just one year ago, marking his second run with the company after a solid stint in AEW.
Following his Last Man Standing victory over Damian Priest in October, many believed WWE was preparing to elevate him further up the card.
Instead, that momentum never fully turned into a major title push.
Now, his second WWE chapter ends much sooner than expected.
Zelina Vega Confirms Departure
Zelina Vega also officially confirmed her release during a Twitch stream.
Her exit surprised fans because she remained an active presence on SmackDown and had continued to play an important role both as an in-ring competitor and personality on WWE television.
As the wife of Aleister Black, both releases happening at the same time created even more attention around WWE’s decision.
The married couple had remained visible parts of weekly programming, making the move feel even more abrupt.
Their departures immediately sparked speculation about possible future moves outside WWE, including potential returns to other promotions.
Kairi Sane Leaves During Major Storyline
Kairi Sane’s release also raised eyebrows because of her ongoing involvement in one of WWE’s biggest women’s storylines.
She had been a central figure in the long-running feud involving Asuka and Iyo Sky.
Since returning to WWE in 2023, Sane had rejoined Asuka, Iyo Sky, and Bayley as part of Damage CTRL.
Her return was seen as a major boost to the women’s division and brought renewed excitement to the faction.
Because the storyline had been active for months, her departure leaves major questions about how WWE will now adjust future booking plans.
Wyatt Sicks Reportedly Disbanded
Perhaps the most emotional departures came from the reported release of the Wyatt Sicks.
According to wrestling journalist Sean Ross Sapp, Bo Dallas (Uncle Howdy), Nikki Cross, Joe Gacy, Dexter Lumis, and Erick Rowan were all released.
The Wyatt Sicks debuted in 2024 following the death of Bray Wyatt, who was Bo Dallas’ real-life brother.
The faction served partly as a tribute to Bray Wyatt’s legacy and quickly became one of WWE’s most emotionally charged acts.
The group had recently held the WWE tag team titles, with Joe Gacy and Dexter Lumis defending the belts.
They had spent months feuding with Solo Sikoa and the MFTs before seemingly wrapping up that storyline last Friday after losing an eight-man tag team street fight.
That ending now appears to have been their final chapter.
Nikki Cross Shares Emotional Goodbye
Following the reports, Nikki Cross publicly addressed her WWE exit with an emotional statement thanking the company and the people who helped her career.
“Goodbye and thank you, WWE,” Cross wrote on social media.
“I’m really excited for whatever my next chapter will hold. Thank you all for the continued love and support.”
She also gave special thanks to longtime WWE figures Robbie Brookside and William Regal.
“A special thank you to Robbie Brookside and William Regal for helping this dream come true.”
Cross also thanked wrestlers, coaches, producers, backstage staff, and the women’s locker room.
Her message reflected the emotional side of roster cuts that often gets lost behind the business headlines.
More Main Roster Names Exit
The list of releases extended well beyond the headline names.
Former tag team champions Motor City Machine Guns were also reportedly let go, along with Apollo Crews and Santos Escobar.
Zoey Stark and Alba Fyre were among additional women’s division names included in the cuts.
Each departure affects different parts of the roster, from tag teams to singles divisions and long-term midcard depth.
Some of these names had seen reduced television time in recent months, while others remained active enough to make the news surprising.
That mix made the overall roster shakeup feel even bigger.
NXT Talent Also Affected
WWE’s cuts also reached developmental talent in NXT.
Andre Chase and Dante Chen were among the younger stars reportedly released Friday.
Post-WrestleMania roster trimming often impacts both the main roster and NXT as WWE evaluates future plans and creative direction.
For younger talent, releases can be especially difficult because many are still trying to establish themselves nationally.
Still, many former NXT names have gone on to successful careers elsewhere in wrestling after leaving WWE.
WrestleMania Season Always Brings Change
Roster cuts after WrestleMania have become a familiar part of WWE’s yearly business cycle.
After the company’s biggest event of the year, creative plans reset, contracts are reviewed, and roster space is reassessed.
This year, however, the inclusion of major names like Aleister Black, Kairi Sane, and the Wyatt Sicks made the fallout feel much larger.
Fans now turn their attention to what comes next.
Some released stars may quickly land in AEW, TNA, NJPW, or independent promotions.
Others may take time away before deciding their next move.
For now, WrestleMania 42’s aftermath has created one of the most talked-about WWE roster shakeups of 2026.
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