Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods Leave WWE After Refusing TKO Contract Restructuring

Key facts

• Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods mutually parted ways with WWE after declining to restructure their contracts under TKO Group Holdings.
• The New Day holds a record 13 WWE-branded tag team title reigns, including the longest Raw tag team title reign at 483 days.
• Kingston, a former WWE champion, signed a development deal 20 years ago and debuted on the main roster in 2008.
• Woods, a former King of the Ring winner, signed a developmental deal in 2010.
• Big E, the third New Day member, has been sidelined since a broken neck in 2022 ended his in-ring career.
• Kingston last appeared on April 17, teaming with Grayson Waller in a failed tag title bid.
• JC Mateo and Tonga Loa have also left WWE, adding to 16 superstars cut the previous week.
• AEW circles show significant excitement about potentially integrating The New Day, with the Young Bucks match generating buzz.

A Historic Tag Team's Sudden Exit

Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods, two-thirds of the legendary New Day, have left WWE after declining to restructure their contracts under the TKO Group Holdings umbrella. The departure, confirmed by wrestling journalists Sean Ross Sapp and Cory Hays, ends one of the most successful tag-team runs in professional wrestling history. The decision was driven by contract negotiations rather than creative dissatisfaction. the duo were asked to transition their existing agreements into new TKO deals; they rejected the terms and were granted their release, even though their contracts were not up. 'It was their decision to leave based on what TKO was offering,' Alvarez stated.

The New Day's Unprecedented Legacy

Debuting in 2014 alongside Big E, The New Day initially flopped as happy-go-lucky gospel characters. WWE pivoted, turning them into villains and allowing them to infuse their personalities—unicorn horns, pancakes, anime references, and a trombone—into the act. The group became beloved for its humor and authenticity. Their record speaks for itself: 13 WWE-branded tag team title reigns, the most in company history, including seven SmackDown tag team titles and the longest Raw tag team title reign at 483 days. The New Day utilized the 'Freebird Rule,' rotating members in title defenses. After Big E suffered a broken neck in 2022, ending his in-ring career, Kingston and Woods continued as a tag team.

Kingston and Woods: Individual Achievements

Kingston signed a development deal with WWE 20 years ago and debuted on the main roster in 2008. He is a former WWE champion, with four intercontinental and three United States title reigns. His last appearance was on April 17, teaming with Grayson Waller in a failed attempt to win the WWE tag team titles. Woods signed a developmental deal in 2010 and later won the King of the Ring tournament. He is currently sidelined with a shoulder injury. Both superstars were part of the roster before forming The New Day.

Additional Departures and Roster Cuts

Two members of The MFTs—JC Mateo and Tonga Loa—have also left WWE. given the group's regular presence on SmackDown. Loa, a former WWE tag team champion, rejoined the promotion in 2024 alongside Tama Tonga. Mateo, known as Jeff Cobb outside WWE, is an Olympian who spent less than a year with the company. These departures come one week after 16 superstars—including Kairi Sane, Aleister Black, and the Wyatt Sicks—were cut by WWE. The combined exits signal a significant roster shakeup.

AEW Interest and the Young Bucks Dream Match

Interest in Kingston and Woods is already building elsewhere. Within All Elite Wrestling, there is said to be significant internal excitement about the possibility of bringing in The New Day. PWInsider confirmed: 'There is a lot of excitement in AEW circles about the potential of The New Day coming into the company.' One matchup continues to generate the most buzz: a long-teased clash between The Young Bucks and The New Day. Sources have highlighted that the idea has been hinted at for years across interviews and social media but never materialized due to promotional barriers. 'That doesn't mean the team is coming in, but there are some who are excited about the idea of that match finally happening,' a source noted.

What Lies Ahead for The New Day

While Kingston and Woods have not publicly announced their next move, the wrestling world is watching closely. AEW appears to be a natural landing spot, given its roster depth and the potential for fresh matchups. The Young Bucks dream match alone could draw significant attention. For WWE, the loss of The New Day marks the end of an era. The group's record-breaking run and cultural impact will be hard to replicate. As the industry evolves under TKO's new contract structures, more talent may face similar crossroads.

The bottom line

• Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods left WWE after refusing to restructure their contracts under TKO Group Holdings.
• The New Day holds a record 13 WWE tag team title reigns and the longest Raw tag title reign at 483 days.
• Big E's 2022 neck injury ended his in-ring career, leaving Kingston and Woods as a duo.
• JC Mateo and Tonga Loa also departed WWE, adding to 16 superstars cut the previous week.
• AEW has significant internal interest in signing The New Day, with a Young Bucks match widely anticipated.
• The departures signal a shift in WWE's talent relations under the TKO ownership structure.