Wendy Choo, Jasper Troy and Adriana Rizzo are among at least 10 departures from WWE’s developmental system.
Fightful reported on Friday evening that the cuts span NXT, Evolve, WWE LFG, the WWE ID program and Performance Center recruits.
The other names identified are Zena Sterling, PJ Vasa, Anya Rune, Braxton Cole, referee Gary Wilson, Ellen Åkesson and Marcus Brown.
PWInsider initially reported that releases were underway at the NXT level and that no main roster talent cuts were expected as part of this round of exits.
Troy and Vasa both referenced “30 days” in social media posts announcing their departures, referencing when they expect to be available to work elsewhere as their no-compete periods end.
Wendy Choo
Choo had the longest WWE tenure among the wrestlers reported to have been released, joining the Performance Center in February 2019.
The 34-year-old, real name Karen Yu, had already wrestled for Ring of Honor and on the independent scene as Karen Q before entering WWE. She competed in the 2018 Mae Young Classic before signing with the company.
After a lengthy absence caused by a broken leg, she was repackaged as Mei Ying, the leader of Tian Sha alongside Xia Li and Boa. She later adopted the Wendy Choo character in 2022. Choo signed a contract extension in 2021 before appearing on television as Mei Ying.
Choo moved into a prominent role on Evolve and won the Evolve Women’s Championship in an eight-woman gauntlet that aired on April 15. She held the title until Nikkita Lyons defeated her at Succession III on June 24.
Her final match was reportedly a dark match before the August 25 episode of NXT.
Jasper Troy
POST Wrestling reported on Friday that Troy had been released after posting “30 Days” on X.
Troy, real name Antoine Frazier, played college football at Kansas and Northern Iowa before joining WWE. He was among the Performance Center recruits formally announced in August 2022.
He won the inaugural season of WWE LFG, alongside the already-released Tyra Mae Steele.
Troy subsequently became a regular on NXT. He defeated El Grande Americano for the WWE Speed Championship in November 2025 and held the title until February.
His final WWE appearance came on the August 27 Main Event, where he lost to Akira Tozawa.
Adriana Rizzo
Rizzo, real name Anna Keefer, joined WWE as part of its fall 2022 Performance Center class and became best known as the female member of the D’Angelo Family alongside Tony D’Angelo, Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo and Luca Crusifino.
Before professional wrestling, Keefer had an accomplished track and field career at the University of North Carolina. She earned multiple All-America honors and was an ACC indoor long jump champion.
Rizzo suffered a torn ACL and meniscus in 2025, and was sidelined for much of the following year.
She announced in June that she had been cleared and returned to television on Evolve as an interviewer before resuming in-ring competition at an NXT live event.
Her final match was at an NXT live event on August 21.
Zena Sterling
Sterling joined WWE in 2023 and appeared across two seasons of LFG, finishing as the runner-up to Tyra Mae Steele during the first season.
The 22-year-old, real name Olena Sadovska, came from a swimming and bodybuilding background before entering professional wrestling.
Sterling was among the LFG prospects Bully Ray praised for volunteering to cut promos in front of CM Punk during filming.
Sterling later moved into the Evolve roster while continuing to work NXT live events. Her most recent match was at an NXT live event on August 22.
PJ Vasa
PJ Vasa, real name Penina Tuilaepa, confirmed her departure herself on Friday, thanking WWE for introducing her to professional wrestling and adding the hashtag “#30Days.”
Vasa came to WWE with a rugby background and began her in-ring career in 2025. She appeared on LFG and became a regular on Evolve, challenging Kendal Grey for the Evolve Women’s Championship at Succession II in March. She also worked a Main Event match against Ivy Nile in August.
Braxton Cole
Cole signed with WWE in 2025 after playing defensive end at Brown University.
He featured on Evolve and the third season of LFG. Cole was part of an Evolve Championship three-way against Aaron Rourke and Harlem Lewis in April and continued working NXT live events through August.
His final reported match came against Shiloh Hill on August 21.
Anya Rune
Rune was known as Airica Demia before entering the WWE system and already had several years of independent experience.
She received a WWE ID deal in March 2026. Rune began appearing on Evolve under her new name in April while continuing to accept independent bookings. Her last Evolve match aired on August 5.
Gary Wilson
Referee Gary Wilson is also among the reported departures.
Wilson signed with WWE in 2022 and initially officiated on NXT before later working on SmackDown.
Ellen Åkesson
Åkesson was announced as a Performance Center recruit in 2026.
The Swedish athlete entered WWE after a decorated strength-sports career. She was a national champion in powerlifting and won world championships in arm wrestling before making the transition to professional wrestling.
Åkesson had yet to make her in-ring debut.
Marcus Brown
Brown joined the Performance Center in 2026.
The 22-year-old British bodybuilder and fitness influencer entered WWE without previous professional wrestling experience. He had trained at the Performance Center but had not made an in-ring debut before his reported departure.
