WWE releases 10 NXT superstars including Jasper Troy and Wendy Choo

The celebratory atmosphere following NXT Heatwave lasted less than a week before WWE shifted from showcasing its future to pruning it. On Friday, September 4, 2026, the company released 10 performers from its developmental system and NXT brand, bringing the total number of departures this year to more than 50.

While mass releases in April targeted established main roster names — including Sheamus, The New Day, and the Motor City Machine Guns — this latest round specifically targeted the feeder system. The dismissals leave 10 athletes in immediate career limbo, restricted by a standard 30-day non-compete clause that prevents them from signing with other promotions until early October.

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The Mechanics of the 'Chopping Block'

Industry analysis suggests these cuts are not based on a single failure, but a structural necessity. According to Bryan Alvarez, the WWE Performance Center is currently overcrowded, turning roster spots into a volatile numbers game. Talent are not merely signed; they are placed on a rigorous assessment timeline.

Alvarez explained that performers on the NXT roster face evaluations every six months. According to Alvarez, if a wrestler is not demonstrating what the company deems "great improvement" during that window, they are placed on the "chopping block."

This internal benchmark explains the departure of Jasper Troy, now performing as Kairo D. Reign. Troy entered the system with significant momentum after winning the first season of WWE LFG and capturing the Men's WWE Speed Championship in November 2025. He held that title for 105 days before losing it to Elio LeFluer in February. However, his trajectory stalled; he entered a losing streak on NXT TV and suffered a final televised loss to Akira Tozawa on the August 27 episode of Main Event.

Roster Casualties and Backgrounds

The Friday purge removed a mix of raw athletes and long-term developmental fixtures. While some, like Wendy Choo, had spent years within the system, others were early in their transition from collegiate or strength Sports.

Released Performer	Background/Notable Achievement	Last Known TV Appearance/Status
Jasper Troy (Kairo D. Reign)	Kansas Jayhawks/Northern Iowa football; LFG Winner; Former Speed Champion	Loss to Akira Tozawa (Aug 27, Main Event)
PJ Vasa	Former rugby player; Season 2 LFG women's runner-up	Loss to Ivy Nile (Aug 3, Main Event)
Ellen Akesson	Swedish powerlifter and arm wrestler	Single appearance in July (NXT)
Wendy Choo	Signed 2019; Experience in ROH and Shimmer	NXT regular; occasional Main Event appearances
Adriana Rizzo	NXT Regular	Released Sept 4

Other performers released alongside the above include Zena Sterling, Anya Rune, Braxton Cole, Gary Wilson, and Marcus Brown, according to reports from Nodq and Fightful.

The reactions to the news varied by tenure and temperament. PJ Vasa, the 27-year-old former rugby player, expressed gratitude on X, stating Thank you WWE for opening the door for me into pro wrestling… what a journey! Conversely, Ellen Akesson shared a more somber tone on Instagram, noting she had received unexpected sad news today.

Professional Outlooks: Veterans vs. Newcomers

The professional consequences of these releases differ sharply based on the performer's history. Wendy Choo enters the free-agent market as the most experienced and longest-tenured of the group. Having signed in 2019, Choo already possesses a relationship with TNA Wrestling, including a 2024 alliance with Rosemary and a recent bid for the TNA Knockouts World Title.

For newcomers like Troy and Akesson, the path is less certain. Troy has stated he has so much to prove in the industry. While Wrestletalk suggests TNA has a history of taking chances on released NXT stars, citing Mara Sadè and Elayna Black, these athletes must first navigate the mandatory waiting period.

The distinction between these cuts and the April releases is stark: the former involved the removal of main roster assets, while the latter is a refinement of the developmental pipeline.

The resolution of this period occurs in early October, when the 30-day non-compete window expires and the released talent are legally permitted to sign with other promoters.

The Trajectory of Developmental Departures

The specifics of Jasper Troy's decline within the system highlight the volatility of the NXT roster. After his victory over El Grande Americano for the Speed Championship in November 2025, Troy's ascent was rapid, placing him in matches against top-tier talent such as Ricky Saints and Oba Femi. However, following the loss of his title to Elio LeFleur in February, his momentum shifted. In addition to his final loss to Akira Tozawa, Troy suffered a defeat to Dion Lennox on the June 9 episode of NXT TV, according to reports from Yahoo Sports.

The diversity of the released group also reflects WWE's experimentation with non-traditional athletic backgrounds. Ellen Akesson, a Swedish powerlifter and arm wrestler, becomes only the second Swedish performer in WWE history to hold such a background, following Sarah Backman. Akesson's tenure was brief, with Yahoo Sports reporting she made only one appearance on NXT in July before her release.

While the April cuts included established names like Kairi Sane, Aleister Black, and Zelina Vega, Mike Johnson of PW Insider reported that the current wave of releases is ongoing specifically within the developmental brand. Unlike the main roster, where some performers like Sheamus and The New Day opted to accept releases after contract restructuring, the NXT cuts appear to be direct results of the Performance Center's overcrowding.

For the released athletes, the immediate priority is navigating the non-compete window. While Wendy Choo has a pre-existing relationship with TNA Wrestling, others must establish their market value from scratch. Jasper Troy has indicated he has so much to prove in the industry, and for him and his peers, the next step occurs in early October when they are legally permitted to sign with other promoters.