EVOLVE Wrestler Quits WWE

WWE EVOLVE wrestler Kai Kavari - real name Cyrus Habibi-Likio - has quit WWE, he announced on Instagram on July 29.

Kavari quit the company primarily for religious reasons, but the salary of a WWE developmental talent, and his family and outside businesses being based in California were other factors behind his departure.

"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. Three reasons, and I'll share why. I've been a professional athlete for a few years now, obviously played division one 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," Kavari began.

"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 in 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. Being brutally honest, I can go back to California and make main roster, main eventer-type money through real estate," he continued.

"The third one, most importantly, is my faith. I feel being a professional athlete, which is 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 saviour. So I feel now that I have more time on my hands, I’m not travelling, I can spend more time with my church community and honestly just building a healthy relationship with Jesus."

It was announced in November 2025 that Cyrus Habibi-Likio had signed with WWE along with the likes of Meghan Walker and Jessica Bogdanov. He was initially named Cyrus before becoming Kai Kavari. He only had nine matches across EVOLVE and NXT house shows before quitting WWE, last wrestling in a dark match before the June 2 episode of NXT.

Prior to signing with WWE, Habibi-Likio was an American football running back. He played for Oregon from 2018 to 2020 before transferring to Boise State in 2021. Habibi-Likio then played in the USFL and UFL in 2023 and 2024. The 27-year-old signed with WWE after taking part in a SummerSlam 2025 tryout.

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