Braun Strowman, Shayna Baszler, Dakota Kai & Others Reportedly Released From WWE

A number of WWE talent have reportedly been released from company Friday, including Braun Strowman, Shayna Baszler and Dakota Kai.

Braun Strowman released from WWE / WWE.com

WWE talent releases have reportedly taken place.

Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select is reporting that an internal memo has gone out to company employees that main roster stars Braun Strowman, Shayna Baszler, Dakota Kai, Kayden Carter and Katana Chance have all been released.

Dakota Kai has been released by WWE, according to internal information obtained by https://t.co/jy8u4a8usI pic.twitter.com/P1zYzfypYa

— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) May 2, 2025

While not among Ross Sapp's initial report, NXT Superstar Cora Jade took to social media to announce that she's no longer with the company.

The former NXT Women's Tag Team Champion expressed her gratitude to the company for the opportunity to live out some of her childhood dreams, but said she'll have much more to say in due time.

Thankful for all the childhood dreams I got to live out! I have a lot to say in due time. Stay tuned xoxo

— Cora Jade (@CoraJadeWWE) May 2, 2025

It has also now been reported that NXT stars Gigi Dolin, Riley Osborne, Eddy Thorpe, Oro Mensah, Javier Bernal and Gallus (Joe Coffey, Mark Coffey and Wolfgang) have been released from WWE. PWInsider says that Jakara Jackson has also been let go. This comes just days after her storyline split her tag team partner Lash Legend.

Sean Ross Sapp noted on social media that it's possible that certain talent just did not have their contracts renewed. Dakota Kai was closing in on the three year anniversary of her return to the company. After intially being released in April of 2022, Kai was one of Paul 'Triple H' Levesque's first re-hires when he took over as WWE Chief Content Officer.

Bayley, Kai and current WWE Women's World Champion IYO SKY formed Damage CTRL at SummerSlam 2022 inside of Nissan Stadium in Nashville. Kai was still a member of the group until her release Friday. Earlier this year she was competing with Lyra Valkyria for the Women's Intercontinental Championship, but she was taken off television ahead of WrestleMania 41.

🤍 pic.twitter.com/gmUxkDQeZH

— 𝖈𝖍𝖆𝖗𝖑𝖎𝖊𝖌𝖎𝖗𝖑 🎮 (@ImKingKota) May 2, 2025

Kai was still doing media for WWE during WrestleMania week. She spoke to The Takedown on SI about her desire for Damage CTRL to reunite once Asuka and Kairi Sane were medically cleared to return to the ring. The ultimate goal was for all four of them to hold championship gold at the same time.

Strowman was another Levesque re-hire. The former WWE Universal Champion was brought back to the company in September of 2022, and spent the better part of the last three years having monster clashes with guys like Omos, Bronson Reed and Jacob Fatu.

Braun was also doing media during WrestleMania week and expressed a desire to square off with the Samoan Werewolf once more after he won the United States Championship.

Current list of WWE talent who have reportedly been released Friday:

• Braun Strowman

• Dakota Kai

• Shayna Baszler

• Kayden Carter

• Katana Chance

• Cora Jade

• Gigi Dolin

• Eddy Thorpe

• Riley Osborne

• Jakara Jackson

• Oro Mensah

• Javier Bernal

• Gallus (Joe Coffey, Mark Coffey & Wolfgang)

MORE: WWE Releases: Latest Superstars Released By WWE In 2024-2025

This is a developing story and we will provide more information as it becomes available.

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