WWE Departure Confirmed

WWE

NXT and Performance Center talent Cyrus Habibi-Likio, who worked under the ring name Kai Kavari, has announced his departure from WWE.

Habibi-Likio signed with WWE on a three-year contract in November 2025, but has elected to leave the company due to wanting to move back to California for family, financial and faith reasons instead of living in Florida where NXT and the Performance Center are based.

He worked a few NXT live events during his time with the company as well as Evolve, suffering losses in all of his matches including most recently against Elijah Holyfield and Kale Dixon.

In a video on social media, he explained:

“Was not an easy decision, but I had to make it. Most of you guys know I signed a three-year contract with WWE, but I’ve decided to step away for three reasons and I’ll share why.

“I’ve been a professional athlete for a few years now, obviously played Division I football, I’ve been all over the place. For years now, it’s only been about myself. Just constantly chasing, trying to move up the ladder.

“And I’ve gotten to a point in my life where my wife and I, we have our third kid on the way. I also have my grandparents back home, both sets, which I’m very blessed to have. They’re getting older and I just feel like our life belongs in California with our family.

“Second, financially. Having a hard time doing my California real estate business in Florida. When you start at WWE, you don’t get paid the most. Potentially, you can make bread, but me specifically, I’m not at a time in my life where I can live off potential.

“And being brutally honest, I can go back to California and make main roster main event type money through real estate.

“And the third one, most importantly, is my faith. I feel being a professional athlete – which there’s nothing wrong with it – but when you’re constantly chasing to better yourself, I feel like it’s been pretty hard to glorify my Lord and Savior.

“So I feel now that I have more time on my hands, I’m not traveling, I can spend more time with my church community, and honestly, just building a healthier relationship with Jesus.

“I just wanna come on here and say thank you WWE, I appreciate you guys, some of the best people I’ve ever met. Shoutout my dog Coach (Matt) Bloom, the head coach. That’s my dude right there.

“For such a high level operating company, with all the stress that comes with it, the milestones that they have to achieve to keep the business going, there are some very genuine people, so I appreciate them. All the people I met, appreciate y’all.

“And who knows, once everything is figured out on my end, I may jump back into wrestling. But for now, real estate and I’m going hard on my content, full-time on social media. Can’t wait for this journey. Appreciate y’all.”

If you use this transcription or any portion of it please credit WrestleTalk.com and link to this page.

To make sure you stay up to date with all the biggest wrestling and WrestleTalk news, follow us on Threads by clicking this link!

• nxt
• wwe
• Cyrus Habibi-Likio
• Kai Kavari

Share this article with friends