Backstage Talk Points To Possible Reason Behind Wyatt Sicks Mass Release

The sudden release of the entire Wyatt Sicks faction caught a lot of people off guard, but a new update suggests there may be a bigger reason behind why WWE pulled the plug on the group.

All members of the Wyatt Sicks were among the names released on April 24, 2026, wiping out the entire faction in one move. Now, backstage chatter is pointing to a possible explanation that goes beyond just roster cuts.

During a recent Q&A on PWInsider.com, Mike Johnson shared what he’s been hearing from people within the company. According to him, there has been talk among talent that someone within the TKO side of the business may not be a fan of darker characters, and that belief has been blamed for several releases tied to darker-themed acts.

“I don’t know if there’s a pattern but I can tell you there’s been a story bouncing around among talents that someone in the TKO realm isn’t a fan of the darker characters and that’s been the blame placed on why The Wyatts, Aleister Black, Zelina, etc. were all cut.”

Some talent have even pointed to how certain legendary characters are being presented now as possible proof that the company’s mindset may be shifting.

“One person even suggested to me that Undertaker being The American Badass and not The Deadman in appearances is proof of that outlook.”

Still, Johnson made it clear that none of this has been confirmed and remains locker room talk for now.

“I have no way to prove that is correct, but the story has made the rounds this past week among numerous people we’ve spoken with. Whether there is something to it, or just assumptions, I can’t verify at this juncture.”

The full release of the Wyatt Sicks — including Erick Rowan, Bo Dallas, Nikki Cross, Joe Gacy, and Dexter Lumis — ended the faction in one shot, and this latest update suggests the reasoning behind it might be tied to a bigger shift in direction rather than just individual roster decisions.

Do you think WWE is moving away from darker characters, or do you think the Wyatt Sicks were simply released as part of routine cuts? Drop your thoughts below and let us know what you think.