WWE made another round of roster cuts on Friday, September 4, 2026, with multiple developmental talents departing the company around the time of that night’s episode of SmackDown.
The latest WWE roster cuts affected talent associated with NXT, Evolve, WWE LFG and the company’s developmental system.
A total of 10 departures have been reported as part of the September 2026 cuts.
Unlike some previous rounds of WWE releases, this group did not include established Raw or SmackDown wrestlers.
Here is the full list of reported WWE roster cuts following the September 4 episode of SmackDown.
WWE Roster Cuts September 2026
The following 10 names were reported as departing WWE:
- Jasper Troy
- Wendy Choo
- Adriana Rizzo
- Zena Sterling
- PJ Vasa
- Anya Rune
- Braxton Cole
- Ellen Åkesson
- Marcus Brown
- Gary Wilson
The cuts primarily affected WWE’s developmental system rather than the company’s Raw and SmackDown rosters.
Was Jasper Troy Released by WWE?
Yes. Jasper Troy was among the names reported as part of WWE’s September 2026 roster cuts.
Troy had become one of the more recognizable wrestlers in WWE’s developmental system after winning the first season of WWE LFG.
He later captured the WWE Speed Championship in November 2025.
His departure therefore stands out as one of the more notable names included in this round of cuts.
Was Wendy Choo Released by WWE?
Yes. Wendy Choo was reported as departing WWE as part of the September 2026 cuts.
Choo had been with WWE since 2019 and became a familiar face to NXT viewers during her time with the company.
She competed under several different characters during her WWE tenure and also became an Evolve Women’s Champion.
Her lengthy tenure makes Choo one of the most recognizable wrestlers included in the September roster cuts.
Was Adriana Rizzo Released by WWE?
Yes. Adriana Rizzo was included among the reported WWE departures.
Rizzo joined WWE in 2022 and eventually became part of The D’Angelo Family on NXT.
Her involvement with the faction gave her increased television exposure before her reported departure in September 2026.
Who Else Did WWE Release in September 2026?
Several wrestlers connected to WWE’s developmental programs were also included in the cuts.
Zena Sterling, PJ Vasa, Anya Rune and Braxton Cole were among the developmental talents reported as departing.
Performance Center recruits Ellen Åkesson and Marcus Brown were also included.
The cuts demonstrate that WWE’s latest round of departures extended across several parts of its developmental pipeline.
Did WWE Release a Referee?
Yes. Gary Wilson was also reported as departing WWE.
Wilson worked as a referee for the company and had officiated matches associated with both NXT and SmackDown.
That makes him slightly different from most of the other names included in the September cuts, which primarily consisted of developmental wrestlers.
Were Any Raw or SmackDown Wrestlers Released?
No established Raw or SmackDown wrestlers were reported as part of this particular round of WWE roster cuts.
The September 4 cuts were primarily focused on developmental talent associated with programs including NXT, Evolve and WWE LFG, along with Performance Center recruits.
While the departures occurred around the same time as the September 4 episode of SmackDown, that does not mean the wrestlers were necessarily members of the SmackDown roster.
How Many Wrestlers Did WWE Release in September 2026?
A total of 10 WWE departures were reported following the September 4, 2026, episode of SmackDown.
| Name | WWE Role/Brand |
|---|---|
| Jasper Troy | NXT / WWE LFG |
| Wendy Choo | NXT / Evolve |
| Adriana Rizzo | NXT |
| Zena Sterling | Developmental / Evolve |
| PJ Vasa | Developmental / Evolve |
| Anya Rune | Developmental / Evolve |
| Braxton Cole | Developmental |
| Ellen Åkesson | Performance Center |
| Marcus Brown | Performance Center |
| Gary Wilson | Referee |
The list could change if additional departures are reported.
WWE Releases 2026: What Happens Next?
WWE periodically adjusts its roster as the company evaluates talent across Raw, SmackDown, NXT and its developmental programs.
For released developmental wrestlers, leaving WWE can open opportunities with other wrestling promotions or on the independent wrestling circuit.
The September 2026 roster cuts are notable because several of the departing wrestlers had already received television exposure or recognition within WWE’s developmental system.
As of September 5, 2026, the latest round consists of 10 reported departures, with no established Raw or SmackDown wrestlers reported among the cuts.