Browsing: Wes

Several NXT and WWE Performance Center talents were reportedly released from their contracts Friday.

Cory Hays of BodySlam.net was the first to report the cuts, which were later confirmed by Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp. The full list of releases is as follows, headlined by NXT’s Wes Lee and Stevie Turner, and Lance Anoa’i, who is part of the famous Anoa’i wrestling family:

• Wes Lee
• Stevie Turner
• Lance Anoa’i
• Jin Tala
• Drako Knox
• Haze Jameson
• Summer Sorrell
• BJ Ray
• Jamar Hampton

Of the nine confirmed releases, there is no question that Lee made the biggest splash during his time in WWE.

After enjoying success under the name Dezmond Xavier in multiple companies, including TNA, Lucha Underground, CZW and PWG, Lee signed with WWE in late 2020.

He started off in a tag team called MSK with Nash Carter. The two of them previously teamed together elsewhere as The Rascalz.

Lee and Carter found almost immediate success together in NXT, winning the 2021 Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic and holding the NXT Tag Team Championships together twice.

After Carter was released from WWE in 2022, Lee’s role was unclear, but he remained a hugely popular fan favorite and got over as a singles wrestler.

Lee won the North American Championship in October 2022 and held it for 269 days, which stands as the second-longest reign in the history of the title.

Last year, Lee surprisingly turned heel, which seemed to coincide with him fading into the background in NXT. He eventually started a stable with Tyriek Igwe and Tyson Dupont called High Ryze, but he often accompanied them to the ring and wrestled sparingly.

Given his status as a top-flight in-ring performer, Lee figures to receive plenty of interest from other wrestling promotions. A return to TNA would allow him to reunite with his former Rascalz partners in Carter (Zachary Wentz) and Trey Miguel as well.

Turner had been with WWE since 2021. She began as a wrestler, but after suffering an injury in March 2023, she largely transitioned to an authority figure role, serving as an assistant to NXT general manager Ava along with Mr. Stone.

After wrestling in MLW and Japan, Anoa’i was reported to have signed with WWE last year. The cousin of WWE Superstars Roman Reigns, The Usos, Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fatu never made an on-screen appearance before getting released, however.

Both Turner and Anoa’i confirmed Friday in social media posts that they are no longer with WWE:

The other released talents were part of the reality series WWE LFG, which is essentially a new version of the popular show Tough Enough.

On WWE LFG, inexperienced performers are tasked with impressing WWE legends, and many of those who appeared on the show earned WWE contracts.

In addition to WWE LFG, they made appearances on WWE’s weekly show on Tubi called Evolve, which showcases young and largely unknown wrestlers.

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Wes Lee is no longer part of WWE, and it didnâ€t take long for speculation to heat up about where heâ€s headed next. One of his longtime friends and former Rascalz stablemates mightâ€ve already revealed the answer—and fans of the trio are taking notice.

Shortly after news broke about Leeâ€s WWE release, TNA star Zachary Wentz jumped on social media and made a not-so-subtle pitch to reunite the squad. He posted a message that reignited talk of the Rascalz getting back together.

Thereâ€s always a seat in the Treehouse for you. 💚 #RSCL4Life

Lee previously reunited with Wentz and Trey Miguel on WWE NXT in 2024, but their time as a trio was short-lived. Wes Lee eventually turned on his old partners to continue his singles run, which many saw as a key move in establishing himself as a breakout star.

Now, the future is wide open. If Lee does head to TNA, a full-fledged Rascalz reunion could be on the table—though thereâ€s a catch. Both Wentz and Miguel are under contract with TNA until the end of 2025, so any long-term plans might depend on timing and creative direction.

Wes Leeâ€s next move will tell us everything. Will he rejoin his brothers and light up the Treehouse again, or forge a new path? Either way, the Rascalz connection clearly still runs deep.

Where and what would you like to see Wes Lee do next after his WWE exit? Please share your thoughts and feedback in the comment section below.

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