WWE Roster Shake-Up: Major Main Roster & NXT Releases

WWE made a wave of cuts on Friday, May 2, 2025, parting ways with a mix of established main roster talent and several rising stars from NXT. The release list includes some surprising names, prompting plenty of speculation about what’s next for the wrestlers involved.

Among the main roster talent released are Braun Strowman, Shayna Baszler, Dakota Kai, Kayden Carter, and Katana Chance. Over on the NXT side, the company has let go of Cora Jade, Jakara Jackson, Riley Osborne, Javier Bernal, Oro Mensah, Gigi Dolin, Eddy Thorpe, Dani Palmer and the faction Gallus. These cuts mark another significant roster shuffle for WWE, which seems to be refining its roster across all brands.

As is standard, the released main roster stars will be under 90-day non-compete clauses, while the NXT names are expected to serve 30-day non-compete periods. During that time, WWE will continue to pay the talent, giving them a window to evaluate their options and plan their next moves.

Fightful Select reports that Dakota Kai has already generated considerable interest from other promotions and talent agencies, and insiders expect her to have multiple opportunities ahead. Shayna Baszler’s departure, however, came as a shock to many within WWE. She had recently helped out at “NXT” and re-signed with the company in 2024, making her release one of the more unexpected moves in this round.

In NXT, some releases were more telegraphed. Jakara Jackson’s recent exit from the Meta-Four faction and separation from Lash Legend on this past Tuesday’s “NXT” all but signaled her impending departure. Oro Mensah may have fallen into a similar category.

Meanwhile, Cora Jade and Gigi Dolin wasted no time in re-establishing themselves on the independent scene. Both shared contact details on social media for upcoming bookings, and Jade has already reverted to her indie ring name, Elayna Black—a name she used during her early run on the independent circuit and brief AEW appearances back in 2019 and 2020.

WWE’s latest roster purge underscores the shifting priorities and evolving strategy of the company as it continues to shape its creative and business direction under the TKO banner. For many of these talented performers, this could be the start of a new chapter—whether in AEW, TNA, NJPW, or the growing indie scene.