Tag: Erick Rowan

Several Former WWE Stars Officially Become Free Agents Following Expiration Of Non-Compete Clauses

A significant group of former WWE talent officially entered free agency today as the 90-day non-compete clauses tied to April’s post-WrestleMania roster cuts came to an end.

More than 20 wrestlers were released by WWE following WrestleMania 42, and many of the biggest names from that group are now free to sign with or compete for any promotion they choose.

Among the newly available talents are Kairi Sane, Aleister Black, Zelina Vega, Chris Sabin, Alex Shelley, Santos Escobar, Zoey Stark, Bo Dallas, Erick Rowan, Nikki Cross, Joe Gacy, and Dexter Lumis.

While some released stars have already returned to the independent wrestling scene, others have remained quiet about their future plans, leaving fans speculating about where they could surface next.

Nikki Storm And Joe Gacy Already Planning Their Next Moves

Several former members of the Wyatt Sicks faction have already begun laying the groundwork for life after WWE.

Nikki Cross, who has resumed using the name Nikki Storm, is scheduled to appear for both PROGRESS Wrestling and Maple Leaf Pro in the coming weeks. Storm has also expanded her role within the industry outside the ring, as she and her husband Big Damo recently became owners of both PROGRESS Wrestling and DEFY Wrestling.

Meanwhile, Joe Gacy has started teasing the next phase of his character. Last month, he released a video featuring imagery connected to the Wyatt Sicks persona he portrayed in WWE, suggesting a darker evolution of his character may be on the horizon.

The futures of Bo Dallas, Erick Rowan, and Dexter Lumis remain less clear, with none of the three having publicly announced their next destinations.

Kairi Sane Begins New Chapter

Of all the WWE departures, Kairi Sane’s release generated some of the strongest reactions from fans.

The former WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion was actively involved in a storyline alongside IYO SKY and Asuka before her exit, leading many to question the timing of her departure. Reports later indicated that Sane had requested her release and was interested in returning to Japan.

On the first day of her free agency, Sane marked the occasion by sharing a photo of herself alongside a motorcycle on social media, signaling the beginning of a new chapter in her career.

Motor City Machine Guns Continue To Fuel Speculation

Former WWE Tag Team Champions Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley have also kept fans guessing about their future.

The Motor City Machine Guns recently released a video on their YouTube channel featuring a comedic skit that ended with the duo discovering a mystery contract from an unnamed wrestling promotion. While the company was never revealed, many fans immediately speculated that All Elite Wrestling could be the destination being teased.

Both wrestlers have extensive histories with multiple promotions, making them one of the most intriguing tag teams currently available on the market.

Questions Surround Aleister Black And Zelina Vega

Aleister Black remains one of the most notable free agents available.

Despite widespread assumptions that he could eventually return to AEW, no official plans have been announced. Reports have suggested there may be reservations within AEW regarding a potential reunion, though nothing has been confirmed publicly.

His wife, Zelina Vega, may already be preparing for her next wrestling chapter. Recently, she filed a trademark application for the name “Xelina” for wrestling-related entertainment services, leading to speculation that an in-ring return could be in the works.

Zoey Serrano Set For Return

Formerly known as Zoey Stark, Zoey Serrano has already lined up her first major post-WWE appearance.

She is scheduled to compete in the RevPro Women’s Grand Prix 2026, where she will face Zeuxis in the tournament’s opening round.

The appearance marks a significant milestone following the severe knee injury she suffered in May 2025 during a match involving Kairi Sane and Rhea Ripley. The injury sidelined her for an extended period and raised concerns about the future of her career.

Santos Escobar Takes Aim At WWE Leadership

Santos Escobar also acknowledged his newly acquired free-agent status this week.

In a social media post, the former WWE star reflected on his six-year run with the company while also directing criticism toward WWE President Nick Khan and Chief Content Officer Paul “Triple H” Levesque.

While Escobar did not reveal where he intends to wrestle next, his comments quickly generated discussion among fans as the next stage of his career begins.

Wrestling Free Agency Heats Up

With so many recognizable names now officially available, the wrestling free-agent market has become one of the industry’s biggest stories.

Some talents appear poised for immediate returns to the ring, while others are expected to take their time evaluating offers from promotions around the world. Whether the next destination is AEW, NJPW, TNA, independent wrestling, or somewhere entirely unexpected, the coming weeks could bring a wave of major signings and surprise debuts across the wrestling landscape.

Erick Rowan Appears In Wyatt Sicks Video On WWE Raw, Says He Has a Purpose Now

Erick Rowan spoke in the latest Wyatt Sicks video on this week’s Raw, referencing the passing of Luke Harper and Bray Wyatt. The video aired on Monday’s show, in which Rowan was asked how he’s been and said that the last few years have been hard. He said that he used to have a family and they always had each other’s backs. But then one day he lost a brother, the person who believed in him more than anyone. He said that he kept moving and life went on, but then when he thought he had everything going,m his other brother was gone too.

Rowan said that he had no more family and didn’t want to get back up after that, but he was given hope and took a hand at his lowest point. He then said that he has a purpose now and that they would “take our broken hearts and make some beautiful art.”

Source: 411Mania

Backstage Update On Potential Members Of WWE’s New Bray Wyatt-Themed Faction

Over the last few weeks, WWE has guided fans on a cryptic treasure hunt, with the final prize rumored to be a new faction led by Uncle Howdy (fka Bo Dallas), the real-life brother of the late Windham Rotunda (aka Bray Wyatt). WWE’s latest clue revealed a QR code at WWE Backlash that linked to a phone number and an audio file indicating that several “missing” people have come together to form a new family in WWE.

QR code hit the screen that sent viewers to the WWE-hosted landing page www.wwe.com/porte_ouverte. (That slug, “port ouverte,” is French for “open door.”)

On the page, an audio file is hosted, along with what appears to be a phone number, 888-280-3999 — the same number that, in 2022, revealed an audio clip of Bray Wyatt’s doctor revealing his (in character) mental health diagnosis, ending with a tease of his return. When playing the audio on the page, a distorted female voice says, “You think you’re so close to finding him but you don’t even know what you’re looking for. He’s not what you think. He just wants to help. That’s all he ever wanted. He opens up his arms and makes you feel like you matter; like you belong. He doesn’t change you. He, he reminds you. He wants to know, ‘Why did you forget about them?’ He says he opened the door and the time of secrets has come to an end.”

The familiar phone number now hosts a different message, mentioning “the ones that had gone missing,” and going on to say, in part, “None of you cared. Their families didn’t care. Their friends didn’t care, but I set them free. They are my family now and we will do anything to protect our family. I can’t wait for you to see what we’ve become. It’s beautiful.”

In the wake of this massive Easter egg, PWInsider is now reporting that this new group will soon present themselves on WWE television as a spinoff of sorts of the Wyatt Family. Moreover, this Bray Wyatt-themed faction will feature a few former associates of Wyatt’s, in addition to some new names, who have been subject to absences from WWE programming. The five names currently penciled into this reported group are Bo Dallas, Nikki Cross, Dexter Lumis, Joe Gacy, and Erick Rowan.

Like the aforementioned audio file alluded to, all members of this new faction have previous experience in other factions, or families, in WWE. Cross formerly served as a member of Sanity up until her stablemates Eric Young, Alexander Wolfe, and Killian Dain were called up to WWE’s main roster, while she remained in “WWE NXT” in 2018.   Similarly, Dexter Lumis was once a member of The Way alongside the likes of Johnny Gargano, Candice LeRae, and Indi Hartwell. While the latter three stayed in close proximity to each other on WWE’s main roster, Lumis abruptly disappeared from television last year, last wrestling on the June 1 episode of “WWE Main Event.” Erick Rowan, of course, was a member of the original Wyatt Family before the group disbanded in 2017.

For Gacy, his status as the leader of The Schism took a turn when Jagger Reid and Rip Fowler (Grizzled Young Veterans) departed from WWE in September 2023. As a result, Gacy later declared that Schism was “dead.”

As of now, there is no word on whether Alexa Bliss, who notably aligned with Wyatt’s alter-ego The Fiend from 2020 until 2021, will be part of this offshoot unit as well.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE Reportedly Re-Signs Erick Rowan

WWE star Bray Wyatt’s passing hit the wrestling world hard, especially since he was reportedly close to being medically cleared, and fans have theorized that Wyatt’s brother, Bo Dallas (who played the mysterious “Uncle Howdy” during Wyatt’s final run) could continue Wyatt’s stories. This speculation only grew louder after the WWE documentary based on Wyatt’s life, “Becoming Immortal,” seemed to tease a continuation of his story, and now, a report from PWInsider Elite suggests WWE has re-signed original Wyatt Family member Erick Rowan. The move is not completely unexpected, having been foreshadowed by Rowan pulling out of an independent show due to “contractual obligations” two weeks ago.

Rowan is best known for his lengthy tenure in the Wyatt Family alongside the late Brodie Lee (Luke Harper) and Braun Strowman, who came in later. Rowan and Lee won tag team championships both in “WWE NXT” and on the main roster, but Lee was released back December 2019, and after a brief storyline (and second tag title run) with Bryan Danielson (aka Daniel Bryan) Rowan followed Lee out the door in April 2020.

Interestingly, Braun Strowman recently returned from injury just in time for the Draft, where he came to the aid of Jey Uso and got in the face of NFL star Patrick Mahomes. Fans have speculated that WWE could use Wyatt-centric supporting characters like Rowan and Strowman to make form a new faction led by Dallas. If this is the case, such a faction could also be a vehicle for re-introducing Alexa Bliss after she returns from maternity leave, and free agent Matt Hardy has also expressed interest. Meanwhile, WWE has been reusing flashing QR codes again, much like they did when they teased Wyatt’s 2022 return in the notorious “White Rabbit” storyline; these codes are reportedly indicative of Dallas’ return, with or without the Uncle Howdy costume.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Erick Rowan Believed To Be Returning WWE

Erick Redbeard, previously known as Erick Rowan, sparked discussions among fans when it was revealed that he had withdrawn from various independent bookings, including one for East Coast Pro Wrestling (ECPW). The reason cited was “new contractual obligations,” leading to speculation that he might be returning to WWE.

Later reports indicated that Rowan had been in Pittsburgh recently, a common city where WWE sends talent for medical evaluations before signing them.

This has caused fans to speculate Rowan is returning to WWE to be aligned with Bo Dallas when he portrays Uncle Howdy. Dave Meltzer reported the following in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter:

“Joseph Ruud, 42, who has been wrestling on indies as Erick Redbeard, but best known as Erick Rowan, pulled out of all his upcoming dates citing signing a new contract that would prevent appearing. The natural speculation would be WWE, with the idea of a connection with the returning Bo Dallas. WWE did not confirm that as they wouldn’t officially but within the company there was that expectation.”

Erick Rowan And Luke Harper Return Promo

Image result for Erick Rowan And Luke Harper Return Promo

WWE aired a new promo for Erick Rowan and Luke Harper’s return at last night’s SmackDown Live. They called themselves the Bludgeon Brothers.

No word yet on when the two will debut with their new looks.

Erick Rowan Returns From Injury On SmackDown Live To Assist Bray Wyatt (Video)

erick rowan return smackdown live wyatt family video

Bray Wyatt regained one of his disciples this week … because Erick Rowan made his return on SmackDown Live to help the Eater of Worlds assault Randy Orton.

Rowan made a surprise appearance on the SmackDown Live after WrestleMania to tip the scales in Bray’s direction during a brawl with Orton, and he was sporting an updated creepy sheep mask.

As we previously reported, Rowan has been cleared to return to action since late February following a successful rotator cuff surgery back in October.

The reunited Wyatt Family didn’t have long to celebrate though, as Luke Harper ran down and chased away both of his former friends. Orton and Harper later beat his ex-teammates in the main event.

H/T Pro Wrestling Sheet

Check out Rowan’s return in the videos below:

Erick Rowan Cleared To Return

Erick Rowan has been cleared to return to the ring from his torn rotator cuff. PWInsider notes that Rowan was backstage for last night’s WWE SmackDown but obviously was not used.

Source: WrestlingINC

Erick Rowan Cleared For In-Ring Return

The Wyatt Family has been splintered on the road to WrestleMania 33 … and now, to add further intrigue, Erick Rowan‘s been cleared to return.

As we previously reported, Rowan went under the knife to repair a torn rotator cuff back in October and it was expected that he’d be out of action until March.

Looks like that timeline was right on target, because Pro Wrestling Sheet was told he’s been given the green light.

Erick’s medical news couldn’t come at a better time. Bray Wyatt just recently won the WWE Championship and is currently feuding with Rowan’s former tag partner Luke Harper.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

The wrestler tweeted this creepy video today as well:

Erick Rowan Posts New Teaser Video

Erick Rowan has posted another teaser video that shows him doing away with his old sheep mask and revealing a new one. Rowan posted this latest teaser to his own YouTube channel. Rowan has been out of action since late September with a torn rotator cuff.

Source: WrestlingINC