Subhojeet Mukherjee on May 5, 2026
Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods walking away from WWE already had people talking — now Booker T is adding his take, and he’s looking at it from a business angle.
After reports confirmed that Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods turned down new TKO-style deals and chose to leave on their own terms, the conversation quickly shifted to what comes next. Speaking on the Hall of Fame podcast, Booker T broke down why the move might actually make sense. He started by questioning what was realistically left for The New Day to accomplish inside WWE at this stage of their careers.
“What else could they have done in WWE? Other than win the titles—that’s the only thing. I mean, sticking around is one thing, but wanting to really be a part of the show—that’s what it comes down to.”
From there, Booker made it clear he doesn’t see this as a negative situation. Instead, he believes both Kingston and Woods still feel they have more to offer — and that played into the decision.
“A lot of guys like Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods still think they have a lot more to give to the game. It was one of those mutual things between both parties.”
He also pointed out something that often gets overlooked — long-term legacy versus immediate opportunity.
“Those guys are WWE Hall of Famers when their time comes up, but I’m also a realist—you don’t want to leave money on the table, and out there right now, there’s money floating around.”
That’s where the bigger picture comes in. Booker referenced how other veterans have handled similar moves, suggesting that companies like AEW can serve as both a fresh start and a strong financial opportunity — especially late in a career.
“Remember when I said guys like Adam Copeland going over, Ric Flair—I said AEW is a good place to retire. But it’s a good place to start too, like Ricky Starks and Ethan Page. But, damn it, it is a good place to end your career.”
He didn’t hold back on the financial side either, making it clear that the ability to earn strong money late in a career is something wrestlers shouldn’t ignore.
“You can get paid just as much money on your way out as you’re making at the end of your career—is that not a good deal? That’s what I’m saying. I see so many people hating on that, but damn it, that’s a good deal.”
Booker closed his thoughts by framing the situation in simple terms — every career has an endpoint, and how you handle that transition matters.
“So for me, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods—just like the Hurt Business—hey, you’ve got to retire sometime, and you’ve got to retire in the business with money in your pocket. That’s how I look at it.”
Bottom line — Booker T isn’t questioning why The New Day left. He’s making the case that it might be one of the smartest moves they could make at this stage, especially with other opportunities out there.
Do you think Booker T is right about The New Day making a smart business move, or should they have stayed in WWE longer? Let us know your thoughts.
Please credit Ringside News if you use the above transcript in your publication.
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