According to Fightful Select and BodySlam.net, The New Day, Tonga Loa, and JC Mateo are now part of the WWE alumni group. These four new departures add to last week’s massive wave of cuts, in which 25 wrestlers from the main roster, LFG, NXT, and Evolve were released.
The most shocking departures may be Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston, as The New Day is regarded as one of the greatest factions of all time. Their release is said to be “a mutual agreement.” It is unknown whether Tonga Loa and JC Mateo were granted the same “mutual” release condition.
The New Day
Kofi Kingston signed with the company in 2006 after being scouted by Mike Bucci. He had a long run as a singles competitor before the team even formed, and was one of the longest-running talents. He is a former Undisputed WWE Champion, a 4-time Intercontinental Champion, a 14-time Tag Team Champion, and a 3-time United States Champion.
Xavier Woods, who had been out rehabbing a shoulder issue, signed in 2010 after a run in TNA as Consequences Creed. Woods is a former ten-time Tag Team Champion and one-time NXT Tag Team Champion.
One of the most popular and decorated teams in WWE history, New Day holds many records, with seven SmackDown Tag Team title reigns and the longest-reigning Raw Tag Team Champions ever, at 483 days. They held 13 WWE titles overall between the main roster and NXT.
Several talents across the industry said that they are absolutely shocked that Kingston and Woods were leaving, as they believed both would retire in WWE. Multiple promotions are expected to have interest in signing Kingston and Woods once they can do so. Many AEW talents, like MJF, Ricochet, or FTR’s Cash Wheeler, reacted to the news, letting us think an AEW debut could be coming soon.
Tonga Loa and JC Mateo
JC Mateo is leaving WWE. He last wrestled on the April 24, 2026, episode of WWE SmackDown, teaming with Tama Tonga in a loss to Damian Priest & R-Truth. He was part of the MFTs.
Mateo signed with WWE in 2025, making his debut at WWE Backlash and aligning with Solo Sikoa. Before joining WWE, he wrestled as Jeff Cobb in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, where he was part of the United Empire. He also competed as Matanza Cueto in Lucha Underground.
Tonga Loa, the former Tanga Loa, returned to WWE at the 2024 Backlash PLE in France. He joined Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline and helped Sikoa and Tama Tonga defeat Randy Orton and Kevin Owens. Loa held the WWE Tag Team Titles as a member of The Bloodline from August to October 2024. He last wrestled on Monday Night Raw on April 13, 2026.
Loa left NJPW in 2024 after an 8-year run. With his brother Tama Tonga, he is a former 7-time IWGP Tag Team Champion. He is also a former 3-time NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team Champion. Loa’s first run with WWE lasted from 2009 to 2014. His brothers, Tama Tonga and Talla Tonga (Hikuleo), remain members of the MFTs in the WWE.
