The End of an Era for WWE’s The New Day
The world of professional wrestling is witnessing the end of a remarkable chapter as The New Day, one of WWE’s most iconic tag teams, officially announces their departure. Kofi Kingston, 44, and Xavier Woods, 39, are concluding their respective careers with WWE after 20 and 16 years in the industry. This marks the end of a 12-year partnership that began when they became a featured act on WWE Raw in 2014.
According to reports from Fightful Select and Bodyslam’s Cory Hays, the duo has left WWE by mutual consent. This decision comes alongside other notable departures, including members of the MFT group, Tonga Loa and JC Matteo, as WWE continues its roster restructuring.
These exits follow a series of post-WrestleMania cuts, which saw the release of several high-profile talents such as Kairi Sane and the entire Wyatt Sicks group.
A Legacy of Excellence
As The New Day, Kofi and Xavier, along with their third member Big E, have achieved unprecedented success in WWE history. They hold the record for the most WWE tag titles, with 13 championships. Their seven reigns on SmackDown and a 483-day stint as Raw champions are also records in the company.
Kofi Kingston, in particular, has made a name for himself beyond his tag team achievements. He became a former WWE Champion after defeating Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania 35 in 2019. Two years ago, during their decade-long anniversary as a tag team, Kofi reflected on the unique bond he shares with Xavier and the impact they’ve had on the wrestling world.
What Comes Next for The New Day?
WWE expert Alistair McGeorge has been speculating about what the future holds for Kofi and Xavier. The news of their departure was a shock to many, and it even prompted McGeorge to leave his wife mid-shopping to write the story. The significance of this moment cannot be overstated.
Kofi has spent two decades under WWE’s umbrella, achieving nearly every major title in both singles and tag team competition. His career with The New Day has solidified his place in the WWE Hall of Fame.
While some recent departures have been due to releases, Kofi and Xavier have left WWE by mutual agreement. It’s possible that their lack of effective usage since their heel turn in 2024 played a role in this decision.
Potential destinations for the duo include TNA Wrestling, where a dream match with The Hardy Boyz could be on the cards. Alternatively, All Elite Wrestling (AEW) could be a new home, with a potential first-time bout against The Young Bucks. AEW’s upcoming show at Wembley Stadium in August seems like a perfect stage for such a match.
Reflections on a Journey
Kofi shared his thoughts on the impact The New Day has had on the industry. “It’s pretty incredible to have had that level of impact on the industry,” he said. “I actually sent Woods a text this morning about how appreciative I was of him, of being my tag team partner. I never lose sight of how rare and special our bond is.”
The trio originally formed with Big E before his career was tragically cut short in 2022 due to a broken neck. Tonga Loa, who joined WWE in 2009, later became part of the MFT group alongside Tama Tonga and Solo Sikoa. JC Matteo, also known as Jeff Cobb, was added to the group in 2025 but struggled to find his footing on SmackDown.
A Rollercoaster Ride
Reflecting on their journey, Kofi admitted that their path wasn’t always smooth. “It’s wild to see how far we’ve come, even from the people rejecting us,” he said. “When you think about it, we came out and just told everyone to be the best version of themselves, that you can achieve anything if you put your mind to it.”
He recalled the initial backlash they faced, with fans booing them out of the building. “What is going on in this jaded world that we live in where you tell people to be the best that they can be, and they say, ‘Nah, we don’t want to hear that, man, you guys suck!’” he joked.
Despite the early challenges, The New Day found their rhythm and became one of the most beloved teams in WWE history. “We became so good at being bad guys that the people started loving us again,” Kofi laughed. “It’s been a roller coaster of emotions for sure.”
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