Photo Credit: WWE

WWE Releases Wes Lee Along With 8 Other Names

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports
By Michael Joseph Sugue | Last updated Oct 11, 2025 1:02 AM ET

Per reports by Bodyslam.net and Fightful, WWE has agreed to release top NXT star Wes Lee from his contract on October 10, 2025. These releases come on the heels of SmackDown in Perth, as well as a day before the Premium Live Event in the country, WWE Crown Jewel Perth. Wes Lee’s release is certainly a shocking one, considering he was a top player in NXT, gunning for the NXT Tag Team, North American, and the NXT Championship itself.

During his tenure with the White and Gold Brand, Lee managed to win the NXT North American Title, as well as win the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic in 2021, which led to two stints with the NXT Tag Team Championship, with his MSK tag team partner Nash Carter, who was released back in 2022 due to controversy.

Wes Lee spent over four years in WWE’s developmental system, getting signed back in 2020, along with Carter, being recognized for their fantastic work in TNA Wrestling as Desmond Xavier and Zachary Wentz, collectively known as The Rascalz.

Apart from Wes Lee, there were other names involved in this batch of releases, namely:

Brayden “BJ” Ray
Drako Knox
Haze Jameson
Jamar Hampton
Jin Tala
Lance Anoa’i
Stevie Turner
Summer Sorrell

Stevie Turner and Lance Anoa’i are some names that stick out, with the former performing on NXT sporadically as a UK Indie wrestling standout. Meanwhile, Lance Anoa’i is part of the famous Anoa’i Family, which many fans would know includes The Rock, Roman Reigns, The Usos, and many other legendary names. Lance Anoa’i was working dark matches for the company but was never fully introduced to the WWE Universe before his WWE release.

We wish nothing but the absolute best for the latest batch of WWE releases, and hope they find their footing and big break as they venture out into the open wrestling market.

This article first appeared on Last Word On Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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