WWE roster cuts: Which released stars join AEW now
The latest WWE roster cuts have pushed ten developmental talents into free agency, and their thirty-day non-competes expire in early October. Fans tracking WWE roster cuts are now asking which of those names might land in AEW once the paperwork clears.
September cuts hit developmental ranks
WWE trimmed its developmental system on the same night SmackDown aired in early September. Ten wrestlers from NXT, Evolve, LFG, and the Performance Center received notice.
The group includes Jasper Troy, Wendy Choo, Adriana Rizzo, Zena Sterling, Anya Rune, Braxton Cole, PJ Vasa, referee Gary Wilson, Ellen Akesson, and Marcus Brown. No main-roster names were included in this wave.
Developmental contracts carry a shorter non-compete than main-roster deals, so these wrestlers become available to AEW within weeks rather than months.
Post-WrestleMania wave set the template
April’s larger purge released roughly two dozen wrestlers, including Aleister Black, Zelina Vega, Kairi Sane, Santos Escobar, Apollo Crews, and the entire Wyatt Sicks stable. Several of those names have already secured new deals.
The Motor City Machine Guns and New Level, the team of Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods, joined AEW shortly after their releases. Ilja Dragunov signed with AEW after his WWE contract expired without a non-compete clause.
Those moves proved that AEW is willing to absorb experienced talent released during WWE’s cost-cutting cycle and deploy them on weekly television.
Salary figures surprised many insiders
Reports showed that some released wrestlers earned between two and three million dollars per year. Others operated on lower-midcard contracts that fell below industry expectations.
TKO’s oversight has pushed WWE to reduce overhead while still refreshing its on-screen product with less expensive talent. The same financial pressure explains why developmental wrestlers, who carry smaller guarantees, were the focus of the September wave.
Released talent now weighs immediate AEW offers against the possibility of waiting for another WWE return or exploring independent bookings.
Jasper Troy rebrands and signals availability
Jasper Troy, winner of LFG Season 1 and a former WWE Speed Champion, posted “30 Days” on X after his release. He has already adopted the new ring name Kairo D. Reign.
The quick rebrand shows Troy is preparing for work outside WWE once the non-compete window closes. AEW has used similar athletes in its mid-card and tag-team divisions.
His athletic style and recent television exposure make him a logical fit for AEW’s developmental brand or as an enhancement talent on Collision.
Wendy Choo brings a title and momentum
Wendy Choo held the Evolve Women’s Championship at the time of her release. She enters free agency with recent championship credibility that AEW’s women’s division could use.
AEW has added former WWE women’s talent in the past, and Choo’s character work and in-ring style align with the promotion’s current presentation.
She could debut on Rampage or appear in the women’s tag division while AEW evaluates her fit for the larger roster.
Injury recovery complicates Rizzo’s timeline
Adriana Rizzo was recovering from ACL surgery when WWE released her. That medical status may delay her availability even after the thirty-day clause ends.
AEW has accommodated injured signees in the past, offering contracts that begin once clearance is granted. Rizzo’s prior television experience with The D’Angelo Family gives her a ready-made character base.
Negotiations could stretch into late fall if her rehabilitation schedule remains uncertain.
Remaining names create deeper bench options
Zena Sterling, Anya Rune, Braxton Cole, PJ Vasa, Ellen Akesson, and Marcus Brown round out the September group. None carry the same name recognition as Troy or Choo, but all bring measurable upside.
AEW’s scouting team has signed similar developmental talent in previous years and assigned them to Ring of Honor or Dark tapings. Those wrestlers often receive elevated pushes once they prove reliable on the independents.
Referee Gary Wilson could fill an immediate behind-the-camera role if AEW needs additional officials for its expanding schedule.
AEW’s recent signings shape expectations
AEW finalized deals with Ilja Dragunov and Mara Sadé within weeks of their WWE departures. Both moves followed the same pattern now facing the September releases.
Dragunov’s signing was confirmed by Dave Meltzer in mid-September, with reports that his debut is imminent. Sadé secured a full-time salaried contract after fielding offers from WWE and TNA.
Those precedents give released developmental talent a clear road map: contact AEW’s front office once the non-compete expires and prepare for possible television exposure.
Next steps for the newest free agents
The thirty-day window closes in early October, after which each wrestler can negotiate openly. AEW has already shown interest in prior WWE releases, and the current cost environment keeps the pipeline open.
Some names may choose independent bookings or a brief rest before committing, while others could appear on AEW programming before the calendar year ends. Fans tracking WWE roster cuts will watch social media for the first public signals once the non-competes lift.
Free agency window stays active
The September releases add fresh options to a market already shaped by earlier WWE roster cuts. AEW continues to evaluate talent that becomes available under TKO’s cost controls, and the next wave of signings will test how quickly developmental names can transition to national television.
