The New Day’s Departure From WWE Was a Mutual Decision

The wrestling world was hit with a big surprise on Saturday, with news emerging that The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods) had left WWE.

This unexpected development came just a week after WWE released 23 talents following WrestleMania 42 weekend. The list of cuts included the Wyatt Sicks, Aleister Black, Zelina Vega and the Motor City Machine Guns.

Though giant roster cuts are nothing new in WWE, the departures of Kingston and Woods were certainly eye-popping. The New Day had been together for 12 years and made a significant case as the greatest tag team in professional wrestling history.

According to a report from Fightful Select (h/t 411Mania.com), it was a mutual decision for WWE and The New Day to part ways. The report stated that they signed a long-term deal with WWE last year, one that carried over into the next decade.

Woods and Kingston had decided that they were ready to move on by last week. News of their departure caught many in the company off guard, the report noted. Woods and Kingston are under 90-day non-compete clauses and will be able to sign with other promotions in early August.

The New Day’s Departure Marks the End of an Era

There has been no shortage of unexpected WWE departures since the company began more than four decades ago. But Kingston and Woods certainly stand out here.

Even after Big E suffered a career-ending neck injury in 2022, Woods and Kingston continued to lead the stable as a two-man team. Aside from the faction's 12 Tag Team Championship reigns, Big E and Kingston each enjoyed one WWE Championship reign.

With Kingston and Woods gone, it's officially the end of an era in WWE. In a time where fans quickly get bored of certain wrestlers and personas, The New Day never stopped being popular among the fans.

Kingston and Woods will both find success elsewhere if they wish to continue wrestling. Whether or not WWE's tag team division can survive without them is a million-dollar question.