WWE fans woke up to a seismic shift in the world of professional wrestling on Saturday, May 2, 2026, as news broke that Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods—two cornerstones of the beloved New Day faction—had mutually parted ways with World Wrestling Entertainment. The announcement, confirmed by respected journalists Sean Ross Sapp and Cory Hays, sent shockwaves through the community, with many fans expressing both sadness and disbelief at the end of an era. Yet, the New Day departures were only part of a broader, dramatic roster shakeup that also saw the exits of JC Mateo (formerly Jeff Cobb) and Tonga Loa, key members of Solo Sikoa’s MFTs, further thinning the ranks of some of WWE’s most prominent storylines.
The timing could hardly have been more dramatic. Just a week prior, WWE had implemented a round of roster cuts that dismantled The Wyatt Sicks and saw the departures of notable names such as Kairi Sane, Apollo Crews, Aleister Black, Zelina Vega, Alex Shelley, Chris Sabin, and Santos Escobar. The release of Kingston and Woods, however, stands out not just for their star power, but for what they represented: a tag team synonymous with innovation, charisma, and a seemingly unbreakable bond with the WWE Universe.
For Kofi Kingston, this marks the end of a two-decade journey. Kingston, who signed with WWE in 2006, debuted on the main roster in 2008 and quickly established himself as a high-flying, resilient competitor. His crowning achievement came at WrestleMania 35 in 2019, when he defeated Daniel Bryan to become the first African-born WWE Champion in history—a moment that inspired millions. That title reign lasted around six months, after which Kingston returned to his roots alongside Woods and Big E in the New Day, focusing on tag team excellence.
Xavier Woods, who joined WWE in 2010, completed the trio that would become The New Day in 2014. The group was initially met with skepticism, but a creative pivot—embracing their unique personalities and comedic flair—transformed them into fan favorites. Unicorn horns, pancakes, anime references, and Woods’s trombone became hallmarks of their act, endearing them to audiences worldwide. Their accolades speak for themselves: 13 WWE-branded tag team title reigns, including a record seven SmackDown tag team titles and the longest Raw tag team championship reign at 483 days. Woods also won the King of the Ring tournament during his tenure.
Big E, the third original member, suffered a career-ending cervical spine injury in March 2022, officially retiring from in-ring competition in October 2025. Despite this setback, Kingston and Woods pressed on, continuing to represent The New Day’s legacy in the tag team division. Their last televised match together came on April 17, 2026, when Kingston teamed with Grayson Waller in a failed attempt to capture the WWE tag team titles. Woods, meanwhile, has been sidelined with a shoulder injury.
The circumstances around Kingston and Woods’s exit have become the subject of much discussion. According to Bryan Alvarez of Wrestling Observer, both men were asked to restructure their contracts to new TKO deals—a request they ultimately declined. "We can also confirm that in the case of New Day, it was their decision to leave based on what TKO was offering for a new deal. To be specific, New Day’s deals were not up. They were asked to restructure to TKO deals, they didn’t like the deals, so they were then granted their release," Alvarez reported. Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful corroborated this account, noting that the duo’s contracts were not set to expire and that both have now entered 90-day non-compete agreements.
Reaction from fans has been swift and emotional. Social media was awash with tributes and laments: "It’s kind of shocking tbh. I thought Xavier and Kofi would be there forever," one fan wrote. Another added, "They’ve been a part of so many storylines over the years, what a loss. Hope wherever they land, that they continue to shine." Speculation is already mounting that Kingston and Woods could resurface in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) once their non-compete clauses expire, but for now, their futures remain open-ended.
While The New Day’s exit dominated headlines, the departures of JC Mateo and Tonga Loa are also significant. Mateo, known globally as Jeff Cobb, joined WWE in 2025 after a celebrated international career that included stints in NJPW, ROH, PWG, Lucha Underground, and AEW. His accolades are extensive: NEVER Openweight Champion, NJPW World Television Champion, three-time IWGP Tag Team Champion, ROH World Television Champion, PWG World Champion, and the 2018 Battle of Los Angeles winner, to name a few. Mateo’s last televised WWE appearance came on April 24, 2026, when he and Tama Tonga lost a tag title match to Damian Priest and R-Truth on SmackDown.
Tonga Loa, who returned to WWE in 2024 after a long run in NJPW (where he teamed with his brother Tama Tonga as the Guerrillas of Destiny), is a seven-time IWGP Tag Team Champion and a former WWE Tag Team Champion. His most recent WWE match occurred on April 13, 2026, in a six-man tag bout alongside Mateo and Solo Sikoa, where they were defeated by Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso, and LA Knight. Loa took the pinfall in that contest.
The departure of Mateo and Loa leaves Solo Sikoa’s MFTs—a Bloodline-adjacent faction—visibly depleted, especially as their on-screen presence had already been reduced in recent SmackDown episodes. The May 1, 2026, edition of SmackDown focused on Sikoa and Talla Tonga, while Mateo and Loa were conspicuously absent. The show’s main event saw Jacob Fatu interrupt a clash between The Usos and Sikoa’s group, laying waste to all involved and underscoring the ongoing chaos within WWE’s top storylines.
Industry insiders note that the timing of these exits, coming so soon after the post-WrestleMania roster cuts, adds another layer of intrigue. Are these moves a sign of deeper changes within WWE’s creative direction or simply the natural churn of a competitive industry? Only time will tell. What’s certain is that the departures of Kingston, Woods, Mateo, and Loa mark a turning point—one that will reshape both WWE’s on-screen narratives and the broader landscape of professional wrestling.
As the dust settles, fans and analysts alike are left to wonder what comes next. With Kingston and Woods poised for new adventures and the MFTs in flux, the only guarantee is that the world of wrestling remains as unpredictable and captivating as ever.