WWE Roster Shakeup
WWE Announces NXT Departures As Sunday Night Main Event Approaches Roster Changes
Anonymous
Key Points
1
The September 4 departures included Zena Sterling, Anya Rune, Braxton Cole and Ellen Akesson in addition to the more prominent names listed. Akesson, who signed in May 2026, had never wrestled for WWE, while Rune had joined the company as WWE ID talent in March.
2
Sunday Night’s Main Event is scheduled to feature Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton, Bron Breakker vs. Oba Femi and Lil Yachty’s in-ring debut against Baron Corbin. If Yachty lasts five minutes, Trick Williams will receive another United States Championship opportunity.
3
OTM—Bronco Nima and Lucien Price—already made an immediate Raw impact as part of a new trio with Royce Keys, underscoring the main roster’s need for additional established tag teams.
4
DarkState’s potential call-up would involve Osiris Griffin and Cutler James moving to Raw or SmackDown while Dion Lennox enters the mid-card title scene; the group could also expand its faction after a move to the main roster.
5
Joe Hendry arrived with substantial momentum: he had benefited from WWE’s partnership with TNA, won the NXT Championship and wrestled Randy Orton at WrestleMania 41. Since moving to the main roster, however, he has not secured a major victory or a significant storyline.
WWE released eight wrestlers from its developmental and international roster on September 4, signaling a major shake-up in the company's talent pipeline. Fightful Select reported that the cuts included former WWE Speed Champion Jasper Troy, former WWE Champion Wendy Choo, and Adriana Rizzo, among others from NXT, EVOLVE, and WWE ID programs.
The departures come as WWE simultaneously explores call-ups for established tag teams like Hank and Tank, DarkState, and El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr.'s team. Pro Wrestling Insider noted that the roster moves reflect WWE's effort to balance development-stage releases with strategic main roster recruitment of proven performers.
Eight Wrestlers Released From WWE's Developmental Programs
The September 4 cuts eliminated Jasper Troy, Wendy Choo, Adriana Rizzo, Zena Sterling, Anya Rune, Braxton Cole, and Ellen Akesson from WWE's roster. 411mania.com reported that Rizzo, a former UNC track star with four years in NXT, expressed gratitude for her time with the D'Angelo Family storyline.
Akesson had never competed in a WWE match after signing in May 2026, while Rune joined as WWE ID talent in March. The cuts represented the company's largest roster reduction of the year, ending a period of aggressive recruitment for its international development programs.
Call-Ups Signal WWE's Push for Established Tag Teams
WWE is evaluating main roster debuts for DarkState, Hank and Tank, and a squad featuring El Hijo de Dr. Wagner Jr. Pro Wrestling Insider noted that DarkState's potential move would send Osiris Griffin and Cutler James to Raw or SmackDown while Dion Lennox enters mid-card title contention.
The OTM group—Bronco Nima and Lucien Price—already proved tag team value on Raw after joining Royce Keys as a new faction. Their immediate impact underscores management's belief that established teams drive stronger storylines than individual wrestlers moving up alone.
2026 Call-Ups Show Mixed Results on Main Roster
Lainey Reid and Fallon Henley thrived after their 2026 promotion, capturing the Women's Tag Team Championship with Fatal Influence and building sustained television presence. However, Joe Hendry and Ricky Saints struggled to gain traction despite arriving with momentum.
Hendry won the NXT Championship, wrestled Randy Orton at WrestleMania 41, and benefited from WWE's TNA partnership—yet failed to secure major victories or significant storylines since moving to the main roster. His experience illustrates the difficulty many developmental stars face translating success into sustained main roster runs.
Sunday Night's Main Event Positioned as Roster Catalyst
WWE's upcoming special features high-profile matches including Cody Rhodes versus Randy Orton and Bron Breakker against Oba Femi. The card also includes rapper Lil Yachty's in-ring debut against Baron Corbin, with Trick Williams earning a United States Championship opportunity if Yachty survives five minutes.
The event could trigger additional roster surprises, including possible returns like Drew McIntyre. Industry observers view Sunday Night's Main Event as a crucial turning point for determining which call-ups gain sustained roles versus facing eventual release.
Sentiment
Mostly NegativeNEGATIVENEUTRALPOSITIVE
Publishers
26
Articles
10
Reach
36
A
AnonymousAuthor
