New Day's Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods Leave WWE in Mutual Departure

Key facts

• Kofi Kingston signed with WWE in 2006 and last wrestled on the April 17 episode of SmackDown.
• Xavier Woods signed in 2010 and last wrestled in a dark match at the Royal Rumble; he is currently injured.
• JC Mateo signed in 2025 and last wrestled on the April 24 SmackDown.
• Tonga Loa signed in 2024 and last wrestled on the April 13 Raw.
• The departures are described as a mutual decision to part ways, not traditional releases.
• The New Day formed in 2014, originally including Big E, who retired due to a neck injury.
• JC Mateo and Tonga Loa were members of the MFT group under Solo Sikoa.

End of an Era: New Day Members Exit WWE

Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods, the core of the New Day, are leaving WWE after a combined 29 years with the company. The departures were confirmed on Saturday, May 2, by Fightful Select, and are characterized as a mutual decision to part ways. Kingston, who signed in 2006, last wrestled on the April 17 episode of SmackDown. Woods, signed in 2010, last competed in a dark match at the Royal Rumble and is currently sidelined with an injury. The duo's exit marks the end of a storied run that saw them become one of the most decorated tag teams in WWE history.

The New Day's Legacy and Big E's Retirement

The New Day formed in 2014, originally as a trio including Big E, who was forced to retire due to a neck injury. Kingston and Woods continued as a tag team, amassing multiple championships: Kingston is a former WWE Champion, multi-time United States Champion, Intercontinental Champion, and Tag Team Champion; Woods is a multi-time Tag Team Champion. The group's longevity and popularity made their departure a shock to fans, especially given the context of recent post-WrestleMania talent cuts. Just one week earlier, a large number of wrestlers were released in a separate round of cuts.

MFT Members JC Mateo and Tonga Loa Also Depart

Alongside the New Day, two members of the MFT group—JC Mateo and Tonga Loa—have also left WWE. Mateo, who signed in 2025, last wrestled on the April 24 SmackDown. Loa, who returned to the company in 2024 after an earlier run, last competed on the April 13 Raw. Both were part of the MFT faction led by Solo Sikoa. Their departures come as part of the same wave of exits, though the specific reasons for their leaving have not been detailed.

Timeline and Context of the Departures

The exits were confirmed on May 2, but the last matches for each wrestler occurred in April: Kingston on April 17, Woods at the Royal Rumble (date not specified), Mateo on April 24, and Loa on April 13. The timing follows a pattern of post-WrestleMania roster adjustments, with a large number of releases occurring the previous week. Reports indicate that these departures are not traditional cuts but rather mutual agreements, suggesting that both the wrestlers and WWE agreed to part ways. The exact terms of these agreements have not been disclosed.

Uncertainty Over Further Departures

It remains unclear whether more wrestlers will leave WWE in the coming days. The company has not issued an official statement regarding the departures of Kingston, Woods, Mateo, or Loa. Fightful Select has indicated that it will continue to provide information as it becomes available. The departures leave gaps in WWE's tag team and midcard divisions, particularly with the New Day's absence. The MFT group also loses two members, potentially altering its dynamics.

Industry Reaction and Future Prospects

The news has sent shockwaves through the wrestling community, given the stature of Kingston and Woods. Both are widely respected for their in-ring work and contributions to WWE programming. Their departure opens the door for potential appearances in other promotions, though no announcements have been made. For Mateo and Loa, the exits come after relatively short tenures in their current runs. Their future plans are also unknown. The wrestling industry will be watching closely to see where these talents land next.

The bottom line

• Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods have left WWE after lengthy tenures, with their departures described as mutual decisions.
• The New Day, formed in 2014, was one of WWE's most successful tag teams, with Kingston holding multiple singles titles.
• JC Mateo and Tonga Loa, both members of the MFT group, have also departed.
• The exits follow a wave of post-WrestleMania talent cuts, though these are not traditional releases.
• It is unclear if more departures will follow; WWE has not commented officially.