WWE, a powerhouse in sports entertainment, has made several unexpected moves that will alter the landscape of its television programming. According to reports from Fightful and other outlets, WWE recently parted ways with five prominent Raw/SmackDown talents, signaling a major shift in its current roster. These wrestlers were either issued 90-day notices or informed that their contracts would not be renewed, leading to their departure from the company.
Shayna Baszler: A “What If” Story
Shayna Baszler, a former UFC fighter, has often been seen as one of WWE’s most underutilized talents, making her one of the biggest “what ifs” in the company’s history. After an impressive run in WWE’s developmental brand, NXT, where she dominated her competition and became a two-time NXT Women’s Champion, many fans and analysts expected her to transition smoothly into the main roster. However, despite her strong performances, former WWE creative head Vince McMahon never fully supported pushing her on Raw and SmackDown.
For years, Baszler found herself stuck in less-than-ideal storylines, where she was unable to tap into her full potential. After McMahon’s departure and the shift to Triple H’s creative direction, things began to look up for the “Queen of Spades.” In 2023, Baszler was involved in a heated feud with Ronda Rousey, which reignited interest in her character. But just as things seemed to be turning around, WWE creative failed to capitalize on her momentum, and Baszler’s story fizzled out.
In 2024 and 2025, Baszler appeared regularly on Monday Night Raw, forming a faction known as the Pure Fusion Collective alongside Zoey Stark and the now-former WWE star Sonya Deville. Despite the faction’s potential, Baszler, who once seemed primed for a major push, has once again found herself at a crossroads. Her exit from WWE marks the end of a promising chapter that could have rewritten her legacy, leaving fans wondering what could have been if the company had fully embraced her.
Dakota Kai: A Shocking Departure
Another surprise departure came in the form of Dakota Kai, a wrestler whose release a few years ago left fans in shock. Kai was brought back into the fold under Triple H’s leadership, joining the Damage CTRL faction, which also included Bayley and IYO SKY. With her high-flying, hard-hitting style and distinct character, Kai quickly became a fan favorite, and her return was seen as a bright spot for WWE’s women’s division.
Despite a few setbacks due to injuries, Kai maintained a prominent presence on Raw and was even involved in key storylines, including a notable run for the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Championship in 2025. Her departure is a bitter disappointment, particularly given her potential. With IYO SKY currently holding the WWE Women’s World Championship, the future of Damage CTRL is now uncertain, as the faction’s remaining members—Asuka and Kairi Sane—are sidelined due to injuries.
While her time in WWE wasn’t without its ups and downs, Kai’s exit marks the end of a chapter that saw her grow as a wrestler and performer. Her unexpected release also raises questions about the future of women’s factions in WWE and whether the company will continue to push newer talent or revert to older, more established names.
Kayden Carter and Katana Chance: The End of a Dynamic Duo
Another set of wrestlers who received their walking papers were Kayden Carter and Katana Chance, the former WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions. Known for their high-energy, rave-themed entrance and acrobatic in-ring style, the duo was one of the most dynamic tag teams in WWE. Despite their undeniable chemistry and ability to entertain, the two women were often left without substantial storylines, something that has become a consistent issue for WWE’s women’s tag teams in recent years.
Carter and Chance’s exit is particularly frustrating for fans who felt that the two never truly got a fair shot at becoming a cornerstone of WWE’s women’s tag division. While they had the skills to make it to the top, WWE’s failure to give them a compelling narrative left their potential largely untapped. It’s a familiar story for many tag teams in WWE, where talent is often overshadowed by larger, more prominent single stars. Now, with Carter and Chance no longer with the company, WWE must rethink its approach to tag team wrestling, especially in the women’s division.
Braun Strowman: The End of a Second Run
Perhaps one of the more high-profile releases was that of Braun Strowman, the “Monster Among Men.” Strowman’s second stint in WWE had been largely successful, with the towering powerhouse winning the WWE Universal Championship and consistently featuring in major storylines. Throughout 2023 and 2024, Strowman was a regular presence on Raw, engaging in high-profile matches and maintaining a prominent role in the SmackDown brand’s United States Championship scene in 2025.
However, despite his popularity, Strowman’s departure was ultimately inevitable. WWE’s roster has shifted dramatically in recent years, and Strowman’s larger-than-life persona, while still marketable, was no longer in sync with the company’s evolving creative direction. With his exit, WWE loses one of its most physically imposing talents, but it’s unclear whether the company will attempt to fill the void left by Strowman or shift its focus to new stars.
Strowman’s departure raises an important question: What’s next for WWE’s big men? In an era where athleticism and technical prowess are prioritized, there’s a growing concern that larger, more imposing figures may struggle to find a place on the roster unless they can adapt to the company’s evolving style. Strowman’s exit could be a harbinger of things to come, as WWE redefines what it means to be a top star in the modern era.
NXT Departures: A New Chapter for WWE’s Developmental Talent
In addition to the main roster releases, WWE also made cuts to its developmental show, NXT. While specific names have yet to be confirmed, sources indicate that a number of promising NXT talents were also let go. WWE has historically used NXT as a proving ground for future main roster stars, but the recent cuts suggest that the company is reevaluating its approach to developmental talent.
NXT has always been a mixed bag, with some stars finding great success on the main roster while others struggle to make an impact. WWE’s decision to cut ties with several NXT performers could signal a shift toward a more streamlined developmental system, one that focuses on raw talent and potential, but with less emphasis on long-term investment.
The Changing Landscape of WWE
The recent cuts and changes to WWE’s roster reflect a larger shift within the company. As WWE continues to evolve under the leadership of Triple H, it’s clear that the company is focused on creating a fresh product that resonates with fans. This means giving new talent a chance to shine while trimming down on older, established stars who may no longer fit the company’s vision.
For fans, these releases are a reminder that WWE’s business model is constantly evolving. While it’s always tough to see fan favorites leave, it’s also a sign that the company is looking toward the future. In an industry where change is the only constant, WWE’s commitment to reinvention is both a strength and a challenge.
As WWE continues to navigate the landscape of sports entertainment, the question remains: Who will step up to fill the void left by these departing stars? With a roster that continues to evolve, WWE must keep its focus on pushing the next generation of superstars, while learning from the missteps of the past. Only time will tell who will emerge as the faces of WWE’s future.
As WWE’s landscape continues to evolve, the departure of several key wrestlers has set off a ripple effect across the company. These exits, while significant, provide a glimpse into the ongoing changes within the WWE organization. With new talent rising and a shift in creative direction under Triple H’s leadership, WWE finds itself at a crossroads. The future, however, remains bright with opportunities for fresh faces to emerge, but questions still linger regarding the company’s approach to talent and its creative direction moving forward.
WWE’s New Vision: The Road to Future Stars
One of the most striking aspects of WWE’s current roster shake-up is the company’s new emphasis on cultivating young, diverse talent. As the landscape shifts toward newer stars, WWE is clearly setting the stage for a rejuvenated roster that can carry the company into the next decade.
Triple H’s leadership has already begun to implement changes that reflect this vision. He has brought in more emphasis on in-ring ability, athleticism, and developing strong, compelling characters. Where Vince McMahon’s reign often focused on larger-than-life figures, Triple H seems to be prioritizing athletes who are versatile, agile, and able to deliver high-quality performances. This shift has already been noticeable, as rising stars such as Theory, Austin, and others have been consistently highlighted in major storylines.
The focus on pushing younger talent also explains the recent cuts, as WWE looks to make space for new faces while phasing out some of the older stars who may no longer fit the company’s long-term creative plans. It’s clear that WWE is rethinking its approach to both its talent pipeline and its roster structure, shifting from heavy reliance on a few established names to spreading the spotlight across a broader group of rising stars.
The Women’s Division: A New Era of Potential
The changes in WWE’s women’s division are particularly telling. For years, WWE’s women’s division has been built around a select few stars, with names like Charlotte Flair, Sasha Banks, and Becky Lynch carrying the weight of the entire division. However, the recent releases of several key women’s talents—including Baszler, Kai, and Carter & Chance—signal a shift away from relying solely on established names and toward building a more diverse, multifaceted women’s roster.
Damage CTRL, despite its current uncertainty, was one of the most promising factions in recent memory, showing that WWE was making an effort to build out more depth in its women’s programming. IYO SKY’s reign as WWE Women’s World Champion was a step in the right direction, but with the recent departures, the question remains: Who will step up to continue this momentum? Will new stars rise to fill the gap left by these cuts, or will WWE struggle to rebuild its women’s division in the wake of these departures?
The release of women’s talents like Dakota Kai and Shayna Baszler also raises questions about how WWE plans to create the next wave of women’s superstars. Will NXT and the development programs be able to cultivate talents that can compete at the highest levels, or will WWE’s struggles with its women’s division continue? Only time will tell, but the current shift in creative direction could provide the perfect opportunity for the women’s division to find new stars who can truly carry the brand.
The Tag Team Division: A Continued Struggle
One area where WWE has consistently struggled to gain traction in recent years is its tag team division. With the departure of Kayden Carter and Katana Chance, two of the most exciting and athletic tag teams in recent memory, WWE’s tag team division is once again left with a significant gap. While the company has invested in certain tag team rivalries, such as the Usos and The Street Profits, the overall booking of WWE’s tag teams has remained inconsistent at best.
WWE has historically struggled to create long-lasting, meaningful storylines for its tag teams, often treating them as secondary acts to the more prominent singles stars. The Women’s Tag Team Championship division has been similarly underdeveloped, with teams like Carter and Chance not receiving the kind of stories that could elevate them to the level of their male counterparts. As WWE continues to make cuts and changes, one must wonder whether the company will make a concerted effort to revitalize its tag team divisions—both men’s and women’s—or if they will continue to play second fiddle to singles stars.
While the releases of Carter and Chance were disappointing for fans who hoped to see them push the tag division forward, the door is now open for new tag teams to form and potentially step into the spotlight. If WWE can learn from its past mistakes and give its tag teams more meaningful stories and consistent TV time, the division could see a resurgence. However, the company will need to invest heavily in building new talent and finding fresh rivalries that captivate the audience.
The Future of WWE’s Big Men: What’s Next After Braun Strowman?
The departure of Braun Strowman is another significant event, particularly for WWE’s “big men” division. Strowman, with his imposing frame and dominant persona, was one of the last of a dying breed in WWE—a larger-than-life powerhouse who could crush his opponents and leave a lasting impression. His second run with the company, though filled with moments of dominance, failed to elevate him to the same level of superstardom as some of WWE’s other top names.
Strowman’s departure raises an important question: What’s next for WWE’s big men? With the increasing focus on athleticism, speed, and technical ability, larger wrestlers have found it more difficult to make a lasting impact. While stars like Roman Reigns and Drew McIntyre are exceptions to the trend, WWE’s creative direction is clearly shifting towards more agile and versatile performers.
WWE will need to rethink what it means to be a “big man” in today’s wrestling climate. The days of giant wrestlers dominating the ring simply through size and strength are over. To remain relevant, WWE’s bigger talents will need to adapt to the evolving demands of the audience. Whether that means incorporating more high-flying moves, faster-paced action, or compelling character development, WWE’s big men must find new ways to stay competitive in the modern era of sports entertainment.
Looking Forward: WWE’s Long-Term Strategy
While the recent releases may have left many fans disappointed, they also point to a much larger shift in WWE’s long-term strategy. The company is evolving, both in terms of talent and creative direction, as it seeks to build a roster that can carry the company for years to come. This means embracing new talent, fostering a more diverse set of superstars, and rethinking how the company approaches storytelling across both the men’s and women’s divisions.
WWE’s creative team is undoubtedly working on building fresh rivalries and exciting storylines that will keep fans invested. With the departure of several established names, the company is left with an opportunity to create new superstars who will define the next era of WWE. This period of transition may be challenging for both the company and its audience, but in the long run, it could result in a product that resonates more deeply with fans and sets WWE up for continued success.
As WWE continues to evolve, the future remains uncertain. But one thing is clear: the company is focused on making bold decisions to secure its place at the top of the sports entertainment world. Whether this shift in talent and creative direction will pay off remains to be seen, but with new faces emerging and fresh storylines on the horizon, WWE’s next chapter is bound to be one full of surprises and excitement.
The Future is Now: Who Will Step Up?
With the departure of these key talents, WWE’s future is in the hands of its up-and-coming stars. Who will rise to the challenge and become the next face of WWE? The opportunities are endless, and the stage is set for the next generation of superstars to take their place in the spotlight. As WWE redefines what it means to be a top talent, fans can expect a product that will continue to evolve and excite for years to come.
With fresh faces ready to step up and an evolving creative direction under Triple H’s leadership, WWE is poised for an exciting new era—one that could reshape the sports entertainment landscape forever.
