WWE Parts Ways With 10 Developmental Talents as Independent Wrestling Gains New Opportunities
WWE reportedly parted ways with 10 wrestlers and developmental personalities on Friday, September 4, 2026, in a round of departures affecting NXT, WWE EVOLVE, WWE LFG and the WWE ID program.
According to Fightful, the departing talents are:
Wendy Choo
Adriana Rizzo
Zena Sterling
Anya Rune
Braxton Cole
Jasper Troy
PJ Vasa
Gary Wilson
Ellen Akesson
Marcus Brown
Fightful reported that it had not heard of any main-roster releases connected to this round of cuts. The departures were concentrated within WWE’s developmental system.
While losing a job is never something to celebrate, the releases could eventually benefit the independent-wrestling scene—and provide these performers with opportunities to establish identities outside WWE’s highly structured environment.
Wendy Choo and Adriana Rizzo Among the Most Recognizable WWE Developmental Releases
Wendy Choo is arguably the most established performer included in the reported cuts.
Choo signed with WWE in 2019 and portrayed several dramatically different characters during her developmental run. She appeared as Mei Ying of Tian Sha before adopting the sleep-themed Wendy Choo character and later transitioning into a darker version of that presentation.
She eventually became WWE EVOLVE Women’s Champion and most recently competed in a dark match before the August 25 episode of NXT.
Before signing with WWE, Choo wrestled independently as Karen Q. That previous experience should make her one of the easiest performers from this group to immediately place on independent cards.
Adriana Rizzo signed in 2022 and became recognizable through her association with Tony D’Angelo’s Family. Although injuries limited portions of her in-ring career, the role gave her experience participating in a prominent NXT television storyline.
Rizzo had recently been working as an interviewer on EVOLVE and last wrestled during an NXT live event on August 21.
Jasper Troy and PJ Vasa Confirm Their Departures
Jasper Troy’s departure attracted attention because of his success on WWE LFG.
Troy won the first season of the developmental reality series and later captured the WWE Speed Championship. He signed in 2022 and most recently wrestled on the August 27 episode of WWE Main Event.
Following his departure, Troy changed his social-media identity to Kairo D. Reign and posted “30 Days,” suggesting that he plans to continue wrestling once his reported contractual restriction expires.
PJ Vasa also publicly thanked WWE and expressed excitement about her next chapter.
Vasa signed in 2025 after transitioning from rugby into professional wrestling. She competed on WWE LFG and EVOLVE, including a women’s championship program with Kendal Grey.
She also gained main-roster exposure through a match against Ivy Nile on WWE Main Event.
Vasa’s athletic background, physical presence and television experience could make her an immediate attraction for independent promotions.
The Remaining WWE Developmental Departures
Zena Sterling signed with WWE in 2023 and appeared across multiple seasons of LFG. She also competed regularly on EVOLVE and most recently wrestled at an NXT live event on August 22.
Anya Rune entered the WWE system through WWE ID in March 2026 and subsequently appeared on EVOLVE. Because the ID program recruits wrestlers from participating independent schools and promotions, Rune already has connections outside the Performance Center environment.
Braxton Cole signed in 2025 and gained experience through EVOLVE and NXT live events. His final reported appearance came during an NXT house show in August.
Gary Wilson joined WWE in 2022 and worked as a referee. That experience should not be overlooked. Reliable referees are essential to independent wrestling, and someone trained within WWE’s system could contribute inside the ring, backstage or through referee seminars.
Ellen Akesson signed in May 2026, while Marcus Brown reportedly joined the developmental system in March. Fightful noted that neither had wrestled publicly for WWE.
That means both could now face a particularly important decision: continue pursuing professional wrestling through the independent scene or explore another career after a relatively short WWE tenure.
PWTorch reported that developmental contracts carry 30-day post-release restrictions. Exact availability should still be confirmed individually before promotions announce bookings.
Why the Independent Scene Could Benefit
These releases are painful for the individuals involved, but they could create meaningful opportunities throughout independent wrestling.
Former WWE talent can provide independent promotions with recognizable names to advertise. Wendy Choo, Adriana Rizzo, Jasper Troy and PJ Vasa have already appeared on nationally distributed programming, giving promoters a marketing hook that can help sell tickets.
Fans who followed them through NXT, EVOLVE or LFG may be willing to attend a local event to see what they do next.
That added attention can also benefit the independent wrestlers sharing the card. A regional performer who faces a former WWE prospect gains exposure, footage and a résumé credit that can help elevate future bookings.
The released talent benefits from those matches as well.
WWE’s developmental system teaches performers to operate within a specific television structure. The independent circuit allows them to wrestle different opponents, experiment with presentation and discover which aspects of their personalities connect naturally with audiences.
That freedom may be especially valuable for performers such as Ellen Akesson and Marcus Brown, who reportedly never wrestled publicly for WWE.
Instead of being remembered only as Performance Center recruits who were released before debuting, they now have an opportunity to build their names from the beginning.
Seminars Could Help Wrestling Schools Grow
Independent promotions should think beyond booking these performers for matches.
Some of the released talent could also be brought in for workshops, seminars and training sessions—depending on their experience and areas of expertise.
A seminar featuring a former NXT or EVOLVE performer could help a wrestling school attract new students while providing existing trainees with insight into:
WWE-style television production
Working with hard cameras
Match timing and structure
Character development
Performance Center conditioning
Promotional interviews
Referee communication
Preparing for tryouts and evaluations
A promotion could package a seminar with that evening’s event, creating multiple sources of revenue through student registration, ticket sales, meet-and-greets and merchandise.
However, promoters should book instructors based on what they can genuinely teach—not simply because they previously held a WWE contract. Some of the names released were only in the system for a short time and are still developing themselves.
The strongest seminars will pair recognizable talent with clearly defined subjects that match their actual experience.
A Chance to Become More Than Former WWE Talent
The independent scene should not treat these performers solely as people who were released by WWE.
The better long-term opportunity is helping them create identities that do not depend on their former employer.
Jasper Troy has already signaled a possible transformation into Kairo D. Reign. Wendy Choo could return to her established Karen Q identity or introduce something completely different. Other talents may finally have the creative freedom to determine their own names, appearances and wrestling styles.
Not every released wrestler will become an independent star, and some may choose not to continue wrestling. But those who remain committed will now have an opportunity to gain the experience that cannot always be developed inside one training facility.
WWE’s loss could become independent wrestling’s opportunity.
For local promotions, this is a chance to present fresh matches, reach new fans and potentially increase ticket sales. For wrestling schools, it could lead to workshops that attract students and provide valuable insight into WWE’s developmental system.
Most importantly, it gives 10 people an opportunity to determine what comes next on their own terms.
Which opportunity could help these former WWE developmental talents the most?
Building their names on the independent circuit
Signing with another major promotion
Hosting seminars at wrestling schools
Reinventing themselves with new characters
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