WWE releases: full list of stars cut after SmackDown
WWE has released ten talents after Friday's SmackDown, according to Fightful, including Speed Champion Jasper Troy and Evolve Women's Champion Wendy Choo. Those cuts, mostly from NXT, Evolve, and developmental ranks, mark the company's second major release wave of 2026.
The celebrity breaking news cycle picked up quickly after Fightful and Bleacher Report detailed the departures. Most names came from NXT, Evolve, LFG, and WWE ID rather than the main roster spotlight.
Key Takeaways
- Ten WWE talents were released, Fightful reported on September 4.
- The WWE releases include former champions Jasper Troy and Wendy Choo.
- Several Performance Center and Evolve signees never wrestled on TV.
- This is WWE's second large cut wave of 2026 after the post-WrestleMania round.
Who was included in the latest WWE releases?
Bleacher Report, citing Fightful's Sean Ross Sapp, listed these ten departures:
- Jasper Troy — LFG Season 1 winner and former WWE Speed Champion; last wrestled on the August 27 episode of Main Event.
- Wendy Choo — Former WWE Evolve Women's Champion; signed in 2019 and last wrestled in a dark match before the August 25 NXT.
- Adriana Rizzo — NXT standout tied to the D'Angelo Family; later worked Evolve as an interviewer after injury setbacks.
- Zena Sterling — Signed in 2023; appeared on LFG and Evolve and last competed at an NXT Live show on August 22.
- Anya Rune — Signed as WWE ID talent in March 2026; competed on Evolve.
- Braxton Cole — LFG Season 3 and Evolve competitor; last wrestled NXT Live in August.
- PJ Vasa — Former rugby player signed in 2025 who debuted on Evolve.
- Ellen Akesson — Swedish powerlifter signed in May 2026; never wrestled an official match.
- Marcus Brown — Bodybuilder signed in March 2026; never wrestled an official match.
- Gary Wilson — Referee signed in 2022 who worked NXT and later SmackDown.
Why do these WWE releases matter right now?
Roster turnover always reshapes TV storylines, but this round also clears developmental depth. Champions and LFG faces leaving the same night signals a reset beyond quiet tryout exits.
Fans tracking Evolve and NXT live events will notice gaps first. Main-roster viewers may feel it more if Speed or Evolve title continuity was part of their weekly watch.
Is this another large WWE cut wave in 2026?
Yes. Bleacher Report notes this is the second major release cluster of the year. The prior wave landed shortly after WrestleMania on April 24 and included names such as Kairi Sane, Aleister Black, Apollo Crews, Bo Dallas/Uncle Howdy, Nikki Cross, and Joe Gacy.
Whether more cuts follow remains unconfirmed in the cited reports. For now, the confirmed story is a 10-person exit list announced after SmackDown.