Reason Behind WWE’s April 24 Roster Cuts Revealed

WWE’s latest wave of roster cuts left many fans wondering why so many names were let go, and the reason behind those decisions is starting to become clear.

The April 24, 2026 departures affected both main roster and NXT talent, but according to Fightful Select, the biggest driving force behind the cuts was making room for incoming talent. Sources inside WWE indicated that roster turnover was planned as part of bringing in new performers expected to debut soon.

“WWE sources indicated that majority of releases were to make way for new talent.”

Another factor being discussed involves possible changes to WWE programming, which could impact how many wrestlers are needed across the roster.

“The possibility of Smackdown reducing to two hours in the near future.”

It was also clarified how contracts work during the release process, noting that many wrestlers are still technically under contract during the notice period — something that often causes confusion among fans. The timeline varies depending on the level of talent.

“These are not 90 day non-competes. The talent are still under contract for this period.”

“For main roster talent, that period is 90 days. For NXT, it's 30.”

There were also several NXT departures tied to future signings expected at the Performance Center.

“A number of NXT releases were also made as new Performance Center signings are expected to be announced soon.”

Taken together, the cuts appear to be part of a larger reset, with WWE preparing to introduce new talent while possibly adjusting how its television programming is structured.

Do you think WWE made the right call releasing talent to make room for new names, or should they have kept more established stars on the roster? Let us know your thoughts and leave your feedback in the comments.