WWE Reportedly Cuts 10 Wrestlers in NXT Wave
WWE Reportedly Cuts 10 Wrestlers in NXT Wave
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Key Points
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Wendy Choo first appeared in WWE during the Mae Young Classic in August 2018 and signed with the company in February 2019. After an injury kept her out for nearly two years, she was repackaged as Mei Ying, the demonic leader of Tian Sha, before adopting the pajama-wearing Wendy Choo character.
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Before his release, Jasper Troy had won the first season of WWE LFG and held the WWE Speed Championship; his most recent match was on the August 27 episode of WWE Main Event.
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Adriana Rizzo, whose real name is Anna Keefer, had been part of Tony D’Angelo’s faction and reportedly tore her ACL in her left knee in August 2025.
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The departures included talent with very limited or no WWE in-ring activity: Ellen Akesson and Marcus Brown had never wrestled for WWE, while Anya Rune had signed as WWE ID talent only in March 2026.
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Wendy Choo received two notable NXT championship opportunities before her release, challenging Mandy Rose for the NXT Women’s Championship at NXT In Your House in 2022 and Kelani Jordan for the NXT Women’s North American Championship at No Mercy in 2024.
WWE cut 10 wrestlers and staff members from its developmental system in a surprise wave of releases. Wrestling Attitude reported that the departures included Wendy Choo, a longtime performer known for her Mei Ying and pajama-themed Wendy Choo characters, along with Adriana Rizzo, Jasper Troy, and P.J. Vasa. The cuts primarily affected NXT, EVOLVE, LFG, and WWE ID talent based at WWE's Performance Center in Orlando, Florida.
The releases shocked many at the Performance Center, according to eWrestling News. Choo had been working as both a performer and a player-coach for newer talent despite recently losing the EVOLVE Women's Championship in June. Rizzo had transitioned to interviewer duties following a torn ACL in her left knee suffered in August 2025.
Wendy Choo's Long WWE Journey Ends Unexpectedly
Wendy Choo, real name Karen Yu, first competed in WWE at the Mae Young Classic in August 2018 and signed with the company in February 2019. After a nearly two-year injury absence, she was repackaged as Mei Ying, the demonic leader of Tian Sha, before later adopting her pajama-wearing Wendy Choo character. 411 Mania noted she had been a former EVOLVE Women's Champion.
Before her release, Choo received two NXT championship opportunities. She challenged Mandy Rose for the NXT Women's Championship at NXT In Your House in 2022 and faced Kelani Jordan for the NXT Women's North American Championship at No Mercy in 2024. Her release surprised the Performance Center despite her dual role as performer and coach.
Mixed Roster Experience Among Released Talent
The 10 departures included talent at vastly different career stages. Jasper Troy, who won the first season of WWE LFG, had held the WWE Speed Championship and wrestled most recently on the August 27 episode of WWE Main Event. Adriana Rizzo, real name Anna Keefer, had been part of Tony D'Angelo's faction before her knee injury forced her into an interviewer role.
Other releases included performers with minimal WWE in-ring experience. Ellen Akesson and Marcus Brown had never wrestled for WWE, while Anya Rune had signed as WWE ID talent only in March 2026. Additional departures included Zena Sterling, Braxton Cole, referee Gary Wilson, and P.J. Vasa.
Troy Confirms Departure With New Ring Name
Jasper Troy appeared to confirm his departure by changing his name to Kairo Reign and posting "30 Days" on social media. The post suggested he would be able to wrestle for other promotions 30 days after his WWE release due to standard non-compete clauses. Troy's last televised match came shortly before the cuts were announced.
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