Summary
- Wes Lee, former NXT North American and two-time tag champion, was among several NXT/ID releases Friday.
- Also released: Jin Tala, Haze Jameson, Summer Sorrell, BJ Ray, Drako Knox, Zara Zakher, and Jamar Hampton.
- Stevie Turner and Lance Anoa’i also left; released talent face a 30-day no-compete clause.
This past Friday, several WWE NXT and ID wrestlers announced that they have departed the company. One surprising name is former NXT North American Champion and two-time WWE NXT Tag Team Champion Wes Lee.
Wes Lee, Jin Tala, And More Gone From WWE
It was first reported by Fightful, then later confirmed by F4Wonline’s Bryan Alvarez, that Lee, Jin Tala, Haze Jameson, Summer Sorrell, and Brayden “BJ” Ray were released on Friday. The most notable name is Lee, who has been with the company since 2020.
His last match with the company was an NXT Live Show at Citrus Springs Community Center in Citrus Springs, Florida. He teamed with his The High Ryze stablemates Tyriek Igwe, and Tyson Dupont to defeat Drake Morreaux, Draco Knox, and Shiloh Hill. Lee’s last NXT televised match was a loss to Je’Von Evans on the July 29, 2025, episode. While Tala, Jameson, Sorrell, and Ray have all been featured on WWE LFG.
Stevie Turner, Lance Anoa’i Also Released
There were several other releases on Friday as well. Stevie Turner, who has been the on-screen assistant to NXT GM Ava Raine, announced on Friday that she was released. She wrote on X:
“My time with @WWE has come to an end. I’ve had a brilliant time and I’m so excited for the future. See you soon!”
Turner was also the General Manager of Evolve.
Lance Anoa’i signed with WWE last November, though he never made his official debut. The reason was due to injuries. He wrote on social media:
“I would officially announce my departure from WWE! I didn’t have the best of luck since I arrived! I will not let this stop me from achieving to be great! I’ve worked hard on the indies for 15 years! Now let’s get back to work! 30days Accepting bookings booklanceanoai@gmail.com.”
Other names on the list are Drako Knox, Zara Zakher, and Jamar Hampton. Hampton made news when WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan passed away. Hampton questioned tributes to Hogan due to his past racist remarks.
Hampton wrote on social media about his release:
“Today I have officially been released from the WWE. I never wished to be a pro wrestler growing up, but I’m grateful I got the opportunity to try! I’ve always been a lowkey out the way type of person, but wrestling forced me to grow and step to the center of attention. Thank you to everyone who encouraged me to keep going! belief in me kept me going when I didn’t believe in myself. This is the end of my wrestling career, I’ll leave it to the professionals now! Wishing success for everyone at the PC! Love (P.S. My hip has healed & I’m off crutches now)”
It’s also worth noting that, before Friday, Kylie Rae and Zayda Steel announced that they were no longer part of the company. Rae’s ID contract was not renewed, while Steel had asked for her release. All talent that has been released will have a 30-day no-compete clause.
