Latest news with #DakotaKai
Newsweek
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Recently Released Superstar Working With WWE Again
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. WWE fans were disappointed when multiple fan-favorite Superstars were recently released, including Dakota Kai, Shayna Baszler, and Cora Jade. 15 wrestlers were released by WWE 💔 • Braun Strowman • Dakota Kai • Shayna Baszler • Katana Chance & Kayden Carter • Javier Bernal • Gigi Dolin • Gallus - Joe & Mark Coffey, & Wolfgang • Jakara Jackson • Cora Jade • Oro Mensah • Riley Osborne • Eddy Thorpe — (@wrestlelamia) May 3, 2025 Naturally, the same fans are excited to see where these wrestlers will wind up next, whether it's in AEW, TNA, NJPW, or any of the excellent independent promotions around the world. More Pro Wrestling: Wrestling Legend and Infamous Heel Passes Away at 60 However, it turns out that one of the wrestlers that departed won't actually be going too far away from WWE. LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 11: WWE Executive Vice President of Talent, Live Events and Creative Paul "Triple H" Levesque speaks at a WWE news conference at T-Mobile Arena on October 11, 2019 in Las... LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - OCTOBER 11: WWE Executive Vice President of Talent, Live Events and Creative Paul "Triple H" Levesque speaks at a WWE news conference at T-Mobile Arena on October 11, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. It was announced that WWE wrestler Braun Strowman will face heavyweight boxer Tyson Fury and WWE champion Brock Lesnar will take on former UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez at the WWE's Crown Jewel event at Fahd International Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on October 31. MoreNBCUniversal announced (via Variety) that WWE will produce a brand new show for USA Network starring none other than former WWE Universal Champion Braun Strowman. The show will be called 'Everything On The Menu with Braun Strowman' and will follow the Monster Among Men as he "eats his way across America." "'Everything On The Menu with Braun Strowman' is a new food format with a big appetite," the official synopsis reads. "Each episode, join WWE Legend Braun Strowman as he eats his way across America, while on the road for WWE, ordering everything on every menu and trying to down every last bite." 'Everything on the Menu with Braun Strowman' will premiere later this year on USA Network. The episodes will see Strowman order everything on every menu while on the road for WWE. The show is produced by WWE Studios. Strowman was recently released by the company. — Wrestle Ops (@WrestleOps) May 12, 2025 "'Everything On The Menu with Braun Strowman' is produced by WWE Studios and BrightNorth Studios," Variety detailed. "Paul Levesque, Lee Fitting, Marc Pomarico and Ben Houser executive produce for WWE Studios. Matthew J. Braley, Kevin Duncan, Morgan Hertzan, Pat Dimon, Shawn Efran, and Azadeh De Leon executive produce for BrightNorth Studios." More Pro Wrestling: Released WWE Superstar Set For In-Ring Return This news is particularly surprising since Strowman has been released from the company. While this confused fans, Strowman seems more than on board. "Mom we made it!!!!" Strowman, real name Adam Scherr, said on Instagram. "Coming to you this fall on [USA Network] Everything On The Menu. Where I eat my way across the country at some of the most amazing restaurants where I EAT EVERYTHING ON THE MENU. EVERY SINGLE THING!!!! I can't wait for everyone to see it!!! More Pro Wrestling: WWE Wants Big Money From Cities To Host John Cena's Retirement Match Despite a previous release in 2021, Strowman has been a constant presence in WWE since his debut in 2015 as a member of The Wyatt Family. In his nearly decade on the roster, Strowman earned numerous accolades, including the WWE Universal Championship, the Intercontinental Championship, and the WWE Raw Tag Team Championship twice. Strowman also won Money in the Bank in 2018, the Greatest Royal Rumble in 2018, and the André the Giant Memorial Battle Royal in 2019. More Pro Wrestling: Released Superstar Happy to Leave WWE WWE Superstar Braun Strowman Was Released For Two Major Reasons: Report For more WWE and professional wrestling news, head on over to Newsweek Sports.
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Reported Details Behind Dakota Kai's WWE Release
Dakota Kai being released by WWE came as a big surprise to plenty of people. Fans have speculated on the reason(s) behind her WWE exit, and now we have a bit more insight as to why it happened. Dave Meltzer reported (via The Wrestling Observer Newsletter) that part of the reason Dakota Kai was released is due to her age. Kai is 37 years old, and that was noted as 'part of it.' Meltzer noted that Kai received almost unanimous praise inside WWE and her release was a surprise. Advertisement It was noted that Kai was viewed as someone WWE could use on a 'micro level' but was never going to be a top long-term draw like a Rhea Ripley or Charlotte Flair. Meltzer noted one source said Dakota could have worked with other top stars like Becky Lynch or Liv Morgan, but on a short-term level. In general, there was a belief that Kai was being paid too much to just have her lose to talent on their way up in the company. One WWE source expects her to end up in AEW, as she spoke with the promotion after WWE cut her for the first time in 2022. Fightful's Sean Ross Sapp (via Fightful Select) also reported that there appears to be significant interest in Dakota Kai outside of WWE, as outside companies and agents expect her to have 'plenty of offers.' Dakota Kai is believed to have a 90-day non-compete clause as a condition of her release. Others who have the 90-day stipulation include: Braun Strowman, Shayna Baszler, Katana Chance and Kayden Carter. Read More: Dakota Kai Posts Heartfelt Message Following WWE Release Dakota Kai highlights how much fans help a performer Prior to being released by WWE, Dakota Kai spoke with WrestleZone Managing Editor Bill Pritchard at WrestleMania 41. Kai was asked if there were some moments from her wrestling career she'd like fans to focus on more. She called out some of her work with Rhea Ripley in NXT, noting that many of her favorite matches in that era were in front of an empty building. Advertisement 'I haven't wrestled Rhea [Ripley] on the main roster yet. I did have a few matches with her in NXT. So maybe during that time, especially NXT in 2020, when it was like the 'COVID era.' There was a lot of good stuff that happened there,' Dakota Kai explained. 'There was a six-woman ladder match that happened in front of zero people. Do you know how much ladders hurt when no one's cheering for you? [laughs] It hurt a lot,' Dakota added. 'It's surprising how much cheering helps your adrenaline and not feeling pain. That was a match!' The post Reported Details Behind Dakota Kai's WWE Release appeared first on Wrestlezone.
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Report: More Details Surrounding Latest Round Of WWE Talent Releases
WWE released 16 talents (that we know of) on Friday evening, and we now have additional information on what went down. Prior to SmackDown Friday evening, information began to come out that WWE was doing another round of talent releases. As of this morning, we know of 16 talents that have been let go across RAW, SmackDown, and NXT. Advertisement According to Fightful's Sean Ross Sapp (via Fightful Select), the five main roster talents that were released are all under the 90-day non-compete clause: Braun Strowman Shayna Baszler Dakota Kai Katana Chance Kayden Carter One of the biggest surprises internally was the release of Shayna Baszler, who signed a new contract with the company last year. Sapp reports that Baszler was recently helping out down in NXT. There also appears to be significant interest in Dakota Kai outside of WWE, as outside companies and agents have already been inquiring about her status and what she plans to do next. As far as the 11 NXT talent goes, they are all under a 30-day non-compete clause: Advertisement Cora Jade Dani Palmer Eddy Thorpe Gigi Dolin Jakara Jackson Javier Bernal Joe Coffey Mark Coffey Oro Mensah Riley Osborne Wolfgang Sapp reports that some people in NXT knew of Jakara Jackson's release ahead of time, which was evident by them splitting up her tag team with Lash Legend on Tuesday. Stay tuned to WrestleZone for more information on this round of releases as it becomes available. READ MORE: Recent WWE Releases Include Top Creative Team Member What do you make of this report? Are you disappointed that WWE has done another round of releases, as the company is reporting record profits and revenue? Let us know your thoughts by sounding off in the comments section below. The post Report: More Details Surrounding Latest Round Of WWE Talent Releases appeared first on Wrestlezone.
Time of India
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
WWE releases spark debate over cost-cutting, creative direction and roster size
Image via WWE In a move that has stunned fans and insiders alike, WWE recently released 18 Superstars, including high-profile names like Braun Strowman , Shayna Baszler, Dakota Kai, and rising NXT talent Cora Jade. The decision, coming just hours before last week's episode of SmackDown, marks one of the most significant talent purges since the COVID-19 pandemic era. While WWE no longer issues formal announcements regarding releases, reports indicate that these decisions were not made lightly. According to Fightful's Sean Ross Sapp, WWE Chief Content Officer Paul 'Triple H' Levesque holds full authority over personnel choices, and if he wanted talent retained, they would have stayed. However, insiders note that while Levesque decides who is released, the when is determined by WWE's ownership under TKO Group Holdings, driven by profit margins and quarterly optics. Overcrowded roster and TV time limitations Analysts believe the latest wave of cuts stems from a combination of factors like creative stagnation, rising base salaries, and an overflowing roster amid limited television time. WWE's weekly programming, spread across RAW, SmackDown, and NXT, simply cannot accommodate every contracted talent. With SmackDown potentially moving back to a two-hour format, the company is under pressure to streamline its roster. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trend: This unbreakable health-tracking watch is delighting seniors Indestructible Smartwatch Undo "Most non-injured wrestlers benched from TV are automatically at risk when it's time to cut salary,' explained Ibou from WrestlePurists, highlighting how business priorities are beginning to shape the creative landscape more than ever. 'The focus is on shareholder satisfaction.' The timing of these releases, shortly after WrestleMania - also fits a pattern. WWE has traditionally reset its talent strategy after its flagship event, deciding which stars to push and which to let go. For some performers, like Dakota Kai and Braun Strowman, this marks a second exit from the company, having been rehired previously after brief stints away. Perhaps most concerning for fans is the release of younger names with perceived potential, like Cora Jade. The former NXT standout had only recently returned from injury and was gaining momentum through WWE's partnership with TNA Wrestling. Her departure has reignited conversations about missed opportunities and creative underutilization. While cost-cutting and business strategy appear to be at the forefront of these decisions, it remains to be seen if any of the released talents will be brought back into the fold - either through future re-signings or the flourishing independent scene. For now, fans are left grappling with a growing disconnect between WWE's financial success and the fate of its performers.
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Dakota Kai Posts Heartfelt Message Following WWE Release
Following her surprise release, Dakota Kai has taken to social media to share a message to the WWE Universe. In a post on X on Saturday, Kai addressed her release from the company, which occurred the day before, on May 2. She said she was still trying to get through the messages people have sent her, and appreciates them all. As for what the future holds, Dakota Kai says that 'we are far from done,' and she remains ready to go. 'Trying to get through all the messages and man, whether it's from friends, family, colleagues, coaches, you guys… I feel like the luckiest girl in the world,' said Kai. 'That's the stuff that matters. I got to make memories, create the best friendships and travel the world. I'm beyond grateful for the opportunities. Gonna take a little time but just know… we are far from done. I've BEEN ready. Let's go.' Advertisement During her time with WWE, Dakota Kai was a two-time WWE Woman's Tag Team Champion. She also won the NXT Women's Tag Team Championships twice during her career. Kai was released alongside a wave of releases WWE made this weekend. In total, 16 superstars were released, including stars Braun Strowman, Oro Mensah, Jakara Jackson, Cora Jade, and more. READ MORE: Report: Multiple WWE Superstars Released (Updated 5/3) The post Dakota Kai Posts Heartfelt Message Following WWE Release appeared first on Wrestlezone.
