Karrion Kross & Scarlett WWE

Karrion Kross And Scarlett's Indy Rates Raise Questions Over WWE Departures

Originally posted on Wrestling on SI | By Zack Heydorn | Last updated Aug 15, 2025 11:06 AM ET

Karrion Kross and Scarlett have been the talk of the pro wrestling world since leaving WWE earlier this month due to their contract not be renewed by the company.

Kross and Scarlett have gained popularity amongst wrestling fans because of their departure, but bizarre circumstances around their contract situation persist -- leading many to question whether or not the duo is really gone from WWE.

According to The Wrestling Observer, Kross and Scarlett are charging steep rates for independent wrestling appearances. One indy promoter reportedly told The Wrestling Observer that after speaking with the duo about doing business with them, they didn't buy that both were truly gone from WWE.

Karrion Kross speculation is rampant

IMAGO / ZUMA Press Wire

Whether Kross and Scarlett's contract situation with WWE is a shoot or a work has been a hot topic that has led to much speculation. Kross wrestled for WWE recently at the SummerSlam PLE, but was unsuccessful and lost to Sami Zayn.

This week, Kross told Ariel Helwani that is contract with WWE did expire and was not renewed, but that he was offered a new deal days before the contract was set to expire. According to Kross, that new deal did not factor in a new contract for Scarlett -- Kross's real life wife and a significant part of the Karrion Kross act in WWE.

In the same interview with Helwani, Kross noted that he had not been able to speak with Triple H about his contract renewal. Kross said that WWE dropped a middle man into the mix and that that person communicated between the two parties.

Is Karrion Kross really gone from WWE? Kross told Helwani that he very much was and that him leaving isn't part of WWE storylines.

Karrion Kross first joined WWE in 2020 and started work on the NXT brand soon after. Kross was a fixture of NXT and became NXT Champion on two occasions. Kross joined the main roster in 2021, but was uncerimoniously beaten by Jeff Hardy in a mere two minutes, while he was the NXT Champion.

Kross stayed on the main roster, but was released from his WWE contract at the end of 2021. Kross rejoined WWE in 2022 and has been a part of the company ever since then.

This article first appeared on Wrestling on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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