Released WWE stars to make a return, including names who have since signed elsewhere

WWE

Across this year to date, several WWE stars have been released from their contracts, with main roster and NXT stars among those cut.

The releases come in addition to the stars who have chosen to part ways with the company, with the former New Day members Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods exiting after being offered a pay cut of a reported 75% to remain with WWE.

While some of the released stars will go on to find success elsewhere, there’s still the possibility that a number will find their way back into WWE:

Wyatt Sicks

TNA Wrestling apparently has interest in members of the Wyatt Sicks, with a current storyline over on Impact seeing a number of stars subject to backstage attacks by an anonymous individual.

It’s possible that the Wyatt Sicks will return to WWE in some form, potentially with any particular member repackaged, but should they arrive in any capacity in TNA Wrestling, the partnership between both companies could lead to appearances on NXT.

Kairi Sane

With a report that Kairi Sane had indicated she wanted to move back to Japan prior to her release, the former WWE star would address that speculation.

A former member of the Kabuki Warriors with Asuka, Sane is a star who could easily return to WWE in the future, recapturing her popularity with the fans.

Tonga Loa

The son of Haku, the cousin of Tama & Talla Tonga, Tonga Loa saw his second run in WWE brought to an end in May.

A former WWE Tag Team Champion, Tonga Loa returned to WWE in 2024 and found himself inserted into The Bloodline story, under the leadership of Solo Sikoa, with the faction later being rebranded as The MFTs.

Tonga Loa returning to WWE and reuniting with Tama & Talla Tonga under the leadership of Haku would strengthen an already formidable outfit.

Zoey Stark

Currently signed under a TNA Wrestling contract as Zoey Serrano, the partnership with WWE could see the former Women’s Tag Team Champion return over on NXT.

Stark last competed in WWE back in May 2025, suffering an injury that would require surgeries to repair a torn ACL, MCL and meniscus.

Should she return to WWE in the future, the powerhouse star would be a perfect fit for a faction featuring the likes of Ivy Nile and Jorydnne Grace. WWE recently filed a trademark application for the term “Iron Built” which would be a fitting name such such a collective.

Andre Chase

A two-time NXT Tag Team Champion and leader of Chase University (Chase U in its second incarnation), Andre Chase had the personality to be a star in WWE.

While he would spend his run between 2021 and his release from NXT, it would have been interesting to see how the star fared on the main roster. That said, a return to NXT, rallying a faction to take on the likes of BirthRight would be a good use of his mic and in-ring skills.

Ridge Holland

Signed to a WWE developmental deal in May 2018, the star known as Ridge Holland had only made his independent wrestling debut in September of the previous year, yet clearly had the tools and the look to make it as a contracted talent.

Following a run in NXT, Holland would be called up to the main roster, teaming with Sheamus and Pete Dunne, repackaged as Butch, in The Brawling Brutes. Reflecting on his call-up in comments made earlier this year, the star now known as Luke Menzies would say he “missed a lot of lessons“, suggesting that he was brought to the main roster too soon.

Menzies has returned to the independent wrestling scene and continues to have the look of a top star; he could certainly fit a return to WWE in the future, although he stated he was “asked to take a 56% pay cut” before he was released, which may taint the possibility of it happening.

The Door Is Rarely Ever Fully Closed

Even for stars who have been aggressive in their opinion of WWE in the past, the door is never fully closed to a potential return in the right circumstances.

For some names, time outside of WWE leads to an increase in what they can offer making them a valuable assist to any company that gets them to sign on the dotted line. That level of value has seen the return of Cody Rhodes and Matt Cardona, both names who arguably grew following their respective departures from WWE.

Not everyone, of course, is a Rhodes or Cardona, but that doesn’t mean that, with the right mindset, they can’t prove those who cut them within WWE wrong.

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