Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods have issued statements following the news of their departures from WWE over the weekend.
The two veterans have left the company after reportedly being asked to restructure their contracts and ultimately, ceasing ties with WWE.
The popular duo formed the New Day with Big E. in 2014 and became a merchandise giant for the promotion over the past decade. Big E’s career ended in 2022 after sustaining a neck injury and moving to a broadcast role within the company.
Kingston, 44, joined WWE twenty years ago and started on ECW in late 2007. He had multiple reigns as Intercontinental and United States champion before joining New Day and having many tag team title runs among them. In 2019, he won the WWE Championship from Bryan Danielson at WrestleMania 35 after a fan-supported push legitimately led to WWE adjusting its plans and going with Kingston. In late 2024, Kingston and Woods turned on Big E. and had an ill-fated heel run over the last year.
From Kingston:
It’s taken me two full days to respond to all my texts. I hadn’t been on social media until today and I’m overwhelmed by all the messages here too. So much love.
So I can’t help but to be filled completely with gratitude…
My story has been nothing short of remarkable and I am… pic.twitter.com/Tw7ZTpg9Q3
— Kofi Kingston (@TrueKofi) May 4, 2026
Xavier Woods (Austin Watson), 39, received his first national attention wrestling in TNA as Consequences Creed, and signed with WWE in 2010. He was called to the main roster three years later. With New Day, he held thirteen versions of the tag titles and became King of the Ring in 2021.
For the past 16 years, WWE has been my home. It’s where I grew up, found myself, failed, learned, and got to live out things the younger version of me could only dream about.
When I first walked into FCW, I just wanted a chance to prove I belonged and to bring something… pic.twitter.com/jm0K78bh1C
— Austin Creed (@AustinCreedWins) May 4, 2026
