TNA Wrestling is losing another former champion, and this time it’s Lei Ying Lee heading out the door. The former WWE Superstar, who wrestled as Xia Li, is officially leaving the company and is already talking to other major wrestling promotions about her next move.
According to PWInsider.com on November 12, 2026, Lee is now a free agent after her run with TNA came to an end. The former Knockouts World Champion hasn’t competed for the company since July, but her absence wasn’t originally tied to a departure.
As Ringside News previously covered, Lee had been spending an extended period in China visiting her family. At the time, she was still under contract with TNA despite being off television for several months. Now she’s officially moving on, and discussions with other promotions are already underway.
Lee first made history in WWE when she became the first Chinese woman to compete in a WWE ring. She signed with the company in 2017 and participated in the inaugural Mae Young Classic before joining NXT, where she became part of the Tian Sha storyline alongside Boa.
She eventually moved to WWE’s main roster in 2021, appearing on SmackDown and RAW. While she competed in the Women’s Royal Rumble and had a feud with Becky Lynch, Lee never captured a championship during her seven years with WWE. The company released her in April 2024.
Lee made her way to TNA later that year and finally got the championship opportunities that had eluded her in WWE. She captured the Knockouts World Championship in November 2025 and went on to become a two-time champion. Her second reign ended at Slammiversary on June 28, 2026, when Xia Brookside defeated her for the title. Lee’s final TNA match came in July when she lost a No Disqualification rematch against Brookside.
Her exit also comes during a rough year for TNA when it comes to keeping talent. Back in June, TNA released former World Champion Steve Maclin and Myla Grace, and things didn’t stop there. Tessa Blanchard was also released, while Tommy Dreamer parted ways with the company as part of a larger workforce reduction announced by parent company Anthem Sports.
The departures continued into July when former TNA World Champion Eric Young was released, followed by former WWE Superstar Victoria Crawford, better known as Alicia Fox. The Knockouts division took additional hits when Jody Threat and Mara Sade exited the promotion, forcing TNA to look at bringing in more women’s talent.
And the roster changes haven’t stopped. On November 6, George Iceman, who portrayed The Concierge for The Elegance Brand, officially departed TNA after the two sides failed to reach a new contract agreement.
There could be more changes coming before the year is over. Former TNA World Champion Rich Swann’s contract is set to expire on December 31, while Mustafa Ali’s current deal also runs through the end of 2026. Neither has been confirmed as leaving, but both have decisions to make about their futures.
For Lee, the timing puts her back on the market with two TNA Knockouts World Championship reigns and experience working for two major American wrestling companies. There’s no confirmation that WWE or AEW is among the promotions she’s speaking with, but her next destination could be an interesting one to watch.
TNA has already lost several familiar faces in 2026, and now another former champion is gone. Lee spent years trying to establish herself in WWE before finally becoming a champion in TNA, and she’s now in a position to see what else the wrestling business has to offer.
Where do you think Lei Ying Lee should go after leaving TNA? Would you like to see her return to WWE as Xia Li, join AEW, or take her career somewhere completely different? Let us know your thoughts and leave your feedback in the comments below.
