Dakota Kai, Braun Strowman Among Several WWE Main Roster Releases

WWE’s annual post-WrestleMania cuts seem to be back in full fury, as last night many talents were let go both from WWE’s main roster and developmental roster in NXT. Among the names across Monday Night RAW and Friday Night SmackDown confirmed to be let go are Dakota Kai, Braun Strowman, Shayna Baszler, Kayden Carter, and Katana Chance. 

Fightful Select confirmed these exits last night, accompanied by several messages on social media by those who had been released. 

Of the names, Dakota Kai emerges as the most notable exit, especially since she had procured a big fanbase following her work in the Damage CTRL faction over the last several years. Kai’s WWE run ends with her as a 2-time WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion and 2-time NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion. This marks her second release from WWE, the first of which occurred in 2022 before she quickly returned within months. It was noted over the last week Kai was fit and healthy for a WWE return to TV, but the promotion were simply not using her.

Strowman also receives his second release from WWE, also returning in 2022 upon the arrival of Triple H in WWE creative. Since his comeback, Strowman has been heavily hampered by injuries, though has had some notable feuds with the likes of Bronson Reed and Jacob Fatu. During his first spell with WWE, Strowman had runs as Universal, Intercontinental, and Tag Team Champion. 

Shayna Baszler’s time with WWE ends after eight years, which saw her have a dominant run in NXT as a 2-time NXT Women’s Champion before mostly competing in the tag team division on the main roster, winning gold alongside Nia Jax.

Kayden Carter & Katana Chance also make their exits from WWE after finding success in both NXT and main roster tag team division. They end seven and eight year runs in WWE respectively.

Several names were also let go from NXT, including Cora Jade, Gigi Dolin, Gallus (Joe Coffey, Mark Coffey & Wolfgang), Oro Mensah, Eddy Thorpe, Riley Osbourne, Jakara Jackson, and Javier Bernal. 

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