WWE announced significant roster changes on Friday, April 24, 2026, releasing multiple talents in the immediate aftermath of WrestleMania 42. According to verified reports from sports news outlets, the departures included high-profile names such as Aleister Black, Zelina Vega, Kairi Sane, the Motor City Machine Guns, and the entire Wyatt Sicks faction. These moves were part of WWE’s annual post-WrestleMania roster reset, a recurring practice following its flagship two-night event.
The Wyatt Sicks, a professional wrestling stable formed in June 2024, were among the groups released. The faction consisted of Uncle Howdy (portrayed by Bo Dallas), Dexter Lumis, Erick Rowan, Joe Gacy, and Nikki Cross. Their departure was confirmed by multiple sources, including CBS Sports and Yahoo Sports, which listed all five members as part of the released talents. The group had been active on WWE programming and also competed in Lucha Libre AAA Worldwide, drawing inspiration from Bray Wyatt’s Firefly Funhouse characters.
Aleister Black and Zelina Vega, a real-life couple, were also released on the same day. Vega announced her departure via a Twitch stream, while Black’s release was noted as surprising given his recent momentum, including victories over Sami Zayn, Randy Orton, and Matt Cardona in non-title matches. Black had returned to WWE in 2025 for his second stint with the company after a run in AEW.
Kairi Sane, who returned to WWE in 2023 and became a key figure in the Damage CTRL faction alongside Asuka, Iyo Sky, and Bayley, was also among those let head. Her release ended a months-long feud with Sky and Asuka that had positioned her as a prominent player in the women’s division.
The Motor City Machine Guns, comprising Alex Shelley and Chris Sabin, were released as a tag team. The duo, known for their technical prowess and lengthy history in impact wrestling, had been active on WWE programming prior to their departure.
Other talents released alongside these groups included Alba Fyre, Apollo Crews, Santos Escobar, Andre Chase, Dante Chen, and Zoey Stark, bringing the total number of departing wrestlers to approximately 25, as reported by multiple outlets covering the roster cuts.
WrestleMania 42 took place on April 19 and April 20, 2026, at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada. The event marked the latest in WWE’s annual showcase, with WrestleMania 43 scheduled for the following year in Saudi Arabia — the first time the event will be held outside North America.
These roster adjustments reflect WWE’s routine talent evaluation cycle, typically occurring after its biggest event of the year. The company, now under TKO Group Holdings, continues to refresh its main roster and NXT talent pools to align with evolving creative directions and performance metrics.
As of the date of this report, no official statements from WWE regarding future re-signings or developmental plans for the released talents have been made public. Fans and industry observers are advised to monitor official WWE channels and trusted wrestling news platforms for any updates.
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