Aria Bennett Revealed To Have Been Released By WWE Following WrestleMania 42

WWE developmental talent Aria Bennett - real name Ajiea Lee Hargrave - was released by the company in the aftermath of WrestleMania 42.

Bennett has updated her Instagram profile to 'Former @WWE', reflecting that she is no longer a part of the organisation. Bennett also has an email address listed for booking opportunities. Bryan Alvarez of the Wrestling Observer has reported that Bennett "was actually cut from NXT in late April."

Aria Bennett was signed by WWE in 2024 after she was an NCAA All-American gymnast in college. She made her in-ring debut in June 2024 at an NXT house show and she wrestled at a handful of NXT live events until her most recent match on April 26, 2025. Bennett also wrestled four matches at WWE EVOLVE tapings between February and April 2025.

Bennett had not wrestled for over a year, however, after undergoing surgery for a torn ACL in July 2025.

WWE released over 30 wrestlers following WrestleMania 42, including the whole of the Wyatt Sicks, the Motor City Machine Guns, Aleister Black, Zelina Vega, Alba Fyre, Kairi Sane, Santos Escobar, Apollo Crews, Jeff Cobb, and Tonga Loa. The likes of the New Day, meanwhile, were given ultimatums of accept a pay cut or be released and they decided to leave WWE. Several other wrestlers accepted the pay cuts to remain with the company.

Along with Aria Bennett, those released from NXT included Andre Chase, Dante Chen, Tyson Dupont, Tyriek Igwe, Tyra Mae Steele, Chris Island, Sirena Linton, Trill London, Malik Blade, Luca Crusifino, Carlee Bright, and Francois Prinsloo. The releases within NXT were reportedly due to talent evaluation.