The End of an Era for WWE’s The New Day
The world of professional wrestling is witnessing the end of a significant chapter as The New Day, one of WWE’s most iconic tag teams, officially announces their retirement. 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 remarkable journey that has spanned over two decades, including 12 years as a team.
The duo first came together as a featured act on WWE Raw in 2014, but their partnership dates back even further. According to reports from Fightful Select and Bodyslam’s Cory Hays, Kofi and Xavier have parted ways with WWE by mutual consent. Alongside them, members of the MFT group, Tonga Loa and JC Matteo, are also set to leave as WWE continues its roster restructuring.
These departures come in the wake of several post-WrestleMania cuts, which have included notable names such as Kairi Sane and the entire Wyatt Sicks group.
A Legacy of Excellence
As The New Day, Kofi and Xavier (along with Big E) have made history in WWE. They hold the record for the most WWE tag titles won by any duo, with a total of 13. Their seven SmackDown reigns are also a WWE record, and their 483-day stint as Raw champions is another milestone.
Kofi Kingston, in particular, has had a legendary career. He became a former WWE Champion after defeating Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania 35 in 2019. Two years ago, when The New Day celebrated a decade as a tag team, Kofi spoke about the special bond they shared and the influence they’ve had on the wrestling world.
What’s Next for The New Day?
WWE expert Alistair McGeorge has been speculating on what the future holds for Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods. The news of The New Day’s departure was a shock to many, and it was clear how significant this moment was for fans.
Kofi has spent 20 years under the WWE umbrella, winning nearly every title available as both a singles and tag team wrestler. Forming The New Day with Xavier Woods and Big E has solidified his legacy as a Hall of Fame-worthy performer.
While some recent departures from WWE have been due to releases, Kofi and Xavier have left by mutual consent. It is reported that they haven’t been used effectively since their heel turn in 2024, leading to the possibility that both sides feel it’s time for a change.
TNA Wrestling could be a potential destination for the duo, with the possibility of a dream match against fellow WWE legends The Hardy Boyz. Alternatively, All Elite Wrestling (AEW) could offer an exciting new chapter, with the prospect of a first-time bout against The Young Bucks.
AEW is set to host a major event at Wembley Stadium in August, which would serve as a perfect stage for such a match. As the news broke, AEW stars MJF and FTR’s Cash Wheeler reacted immediately, suggesting that anything is possible.
Reflections on Their Journey
Kofi Kingston shared exclusive insights into his feelings about the end of The New Day. “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 initially started as a group with Big E before his career was tragically cut short by a broken neck in 2022. Tonga Loa first joined WWE in 2009 for FCW, making his main roster debut as Camacho from 2011 to 2014. After gaining recognition in Japan, he returned to WWE in 2024, aligning himself with his real-life brother Tama Tonga and Solo Sikoa.
The group, known as MFT, saw the addition of JC Mateo – AKA Jeff Cobb – at Backlash in May 2025. Despite a win over LA Knight, JC never found his footing on SmackDown, and his tenure lasted less than a year.
A Rollercoaster of Emotions
Reflecting on their journey, Kofi recalled the early days when their message of positivity was met with resistance. “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 remembered the initial backlash, with fans booing them out of the building and telling them they were bad. “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 said.
Despite the challenges, The New Day quickly found their footing. “We became so good at being bad guys that the people started loving us again,” he laughed. “It’s been a roller coaster of emotions for sure.”
