Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods Exit WWE in Mutual Departure

Key facts

• Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods have mutually decided to leave WWE.
• Kingston signed with WWE in 2006; Woods joined in 2010.
• Kingston last wrestled on the April 17 episode of SmackDown, teaming with Grayson Waller in a loss.
• The New Day formed in 2014, originally including Big E (retired due to neck injury).
• JC Mateo and Tonga Loa have also departed WWE.
• WWE roster cuts were announced on April 24, 2026, after WrestleMania 42.
• Kingston is a former Undisputed WWE Champion, four-time Intercontinental Champion, 14-time Tag Team Champion, and three-time United States Champion.

A Legendary Run Comes to an End

Kofi Kingston, one of the most decorated superstars in WWE history, has left the company alongside longtime tag team partner Xavier Woods. The departures, described as a mutual decision, were confirmed by multiple sources and marked by the pair's relocation to the alumni section of WWE's website. Kingston's final televised match occurred on the April 17 episode of SmackDown, where he and Grayson Waller lost to WWE Tag Team Champions Damian Priest and R-Truth. The exit follows a wave of post-WrestleMania talent cuts announced on April 24, 2026, though these departures are not considered traditional releases.

The New Day's Legacy

Kingston and Woods were the core of The New Day, a faction that debuted in 2014 and originally included Big E. The group became one of the most successful stables in WWE history, winning multiple tag team championships and earning widespread popularity. Big E was forced to retire due to a neck injury, leaving Kingston and Woods to carry on as a duo. Kingston's individual accolades include winning the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 35, capping off the 'KofiMania' movement. He is a former Undisputed WWE Champion, a four-time Intercontinental Champion, a 14-time Tag Team Champion, and a three-time United States Champion.

Departures Beyond The New Day

The exits are not limited to Kingston and Woods. JC Mateo and Tonga Loa have also left WWE, with both names added to the alumni page. Mateo had been with the company only since last year, while Loa returned in 2024 after a previous stint. Both were members of the MFT group under Solo Sikoa. It remains unclear whether further departures are imminent, but the moves signal a continued reshaping of WWE's roster following WrestleMania 42.

Timeline and Confirmation

by Fightful Select and Bodyslam.net's Cory Hays. Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful noted that Kingston and Woods mutually decided to part ways with WWE. The news broke shortly after the April 24 roster cuts, which saw a large number of wrestlers released in a post-WrestleMania shake-up. Kingston's WWE tenure spanned two decades, beginning in 2006. Woods joined in 2010. Their simultaneous exit marks the end of an era for the tag team division.

What Comes Next for Kingston and Woods

With their WWE contracts now concluded, both Kingston and Woods are free agents in the wrestling world. The mutual nature of the split suggests amicable terms, leaving the door open for potential returns or appearances elsewhere. Speculation about their next moves is already swirling, though no official announcements have been made. The wrestling industry is closely watching where the duo will land, given their proven drawing power and in-ring abilities.

The bottom line

• Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods have left WWE by mutual agreement after long tenures.
• The New Day, a defining tag team of the 2010s, is now effectively disbanded in WWE.
• Kingston's career highlights include a WWE Championship win at WrestleMania 35 and multiple tag team titles.
• JC Mateo and Tonga Loa also departed, part of a broader post-WrestleMania talent exodus.
• The departures were confirmed on April 24, 2026, with names added to WWE's alumni page.
• Both Kingston and Woods are now free agents, with their future destinations unknown.