Why NXT Talent Return Faster Than Main Roster Stars After WWE Cuts

There’s a reason NXT talent get back in the ring faster than main roster stars after getting released—and it all comes down to contract language.

On Fightful Select’s Q&A podcast, Sean Ross Sapp was asked why NXT stars only have to wait 30 days while main roster talent are stuck on the sidelines for 90. His response broke it down clearly: “That’s worked into their contract, so the contract that they sign has that in there.”

Sapp pointed out that this isn’t just a rule WWE made up—it’s all in the paperwork. And apparently, WWE has learned the hard way what happens when they slip. “It hasn’t always worked out that way,” he recalled. “Aleister Black—they forgot to change his to a 90 day when he got called up the first go-around and then they cut him and he had a 30 day. They flipped out and called all the releases to make sure that they had a 90 day.”

That mistake caused serious internal panic in WWE, prompting the company to double-check every contract in the aftermath. The goal was clear: make sure top-tier talent can’t jump ship too fast. This also explains why NXT names like Cora Jade, Gigi Dolin, and Gallus could technically show up for another promotion as early as June, while Shayna Baszler, Braun Strowman, and Dakota Kai are locked out until the summer’s almost over.

Despite the FTC’s move to ban most non-competes, pro wrestling continues to be a unique outlier—one where contract structure gives WWE a major edge in how they handle talent exits.

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