The recent departure of Karrion Kross and Scarlett from WWE has generated significant confusion and speculation throughout the wrestling world. After their contracts officially expired on August 10, 2025, both stars were moved to the alumni section of WWE’s official website, officially marking their exit from the company[1][3][4]. Despite visible signs of their departure, the exact circumstances surrounding their exit have remained elusive, leaving fans and insiders to puzzle over what really transpired behind the scenes.

Contract Expiration and Roster Changes

On August 10, WWE confirmed that the contracts of both Karrion Kross and Scarlett had expired at midnight. Along with Ashante “Thee” Adonis, who also saw his contract conclude on the same day, the trio was removed from WWE’s internal roster and shifted to the alumni page on WWE.com[1][3][4]. This multisubject transition gave added credence to their departures, dispelling some of the rumors that the situation might be a storyline or a work.

A WWE insider told Fightful Select that Kross and Scarlett were initially scheduled to travel to the August 4 episode of WWE Raw, but the company abruptly changed its plans, canceling their appearance[1][3]. Furthermore, the long-anticipated storyline involving Kross’s SummerSlam match against Sami Zayn — where Kross was to admit he was wrong about Zayn — was never addressed or mentioned in subsequent WWE programming, despite clips from the match airing on Raw. Zayn appeared on the August 8 episode of SmackDown with virtually no mention of the match, deepening the mystery for fans[1].

Karrion Kross Breaks His Silence

Karrion Kross broke his silence regarding the situation with a candid YouTube video titled “My WWE Contract Ends Today” posted on August 10. In the video, he described the experience as perplexing and disorienting. Kross admitted, *“I’ve been f*ked. Things are not bad, things are just very strange.” He referred to a moment following WrestleMania and a Sam Roberts podcast where he felt he had “slipped into another timeline,” reflecting the disconnect between internal praise he received and the abrupt change in his status[2][4].

Kross also clarified that contrary to previous reports, he was never offered a new contract by WWE, a stance he maintained despite rumors suggesting otherwise. His desire to stay with WWE was evident, as he said, “I would love to stay with WWE. I would love, ideally, to finish my career there, I really would. I don’t know what’s going to happen though.” This uncertainty highlights that the departure was not entirely on his terms and that negotiations either stalled or never took shape in earnest[4].

Scarlett’s Statement

Scarlett, Kross’s real-life wife and on-screen partner, confirmed her WWE departure through social media as well. She expressed deep gratitude towards the WWE locker room and fans, calling her time with the company “an incredible ride.” Scarlett described WWE as “the best locker room I’ve ever been part of” where coworkers were more akin to family. While appreciative, her statement made clear that she would miss her WWE colleagues and the environment she had grown in[5].

Interestingly, Scarlett also indicated a willingness to embrace independent bookings moving forward, signaling that the couple may explore opportunities outside WWE, including the indie wrestling scene[5].

Behind the Scenes Insights and Future Prospects

WWE insiders reveal that although contract negotiations were expected to occur earlier in the year, WWE never formally made an offer, which contradicted some public narratives and wrestling media speculation. Sources within WWE described the end of Kross and Scarlett’s WWE chapter as a sudden and somewhat awkward conclusion, deviating from WWE’s usual proactive approach with contracts[3][4].

Outside WWE, Kross and Scarlett’s options appear mixed. There is speculation about possible returns to promotions like TNA (Impact Wrestling) or work with international partners such as AAA, where Kross previously competed. However, historic tensions with former promotions may complicate these moves. On the independent circuit, Kross’s ties to promotions like GCW, MLW, and NJPW STRONG provide potential avenues, but the wrestling landscape today is far more complex than before, notably with WWE’s strong partnerships influencing talent movement[3].

What Does This Mean for WWE Fans?

From a storyline perspective, the sudden disappearance of Kross and Scarlett’s characters — without any closure or direct acknowledgment on-screen — breaks traditional narrative continuity in WWE. Fans are left wondering about the unfinished Sami Zayn feud and what could have been a compelling redemption arc for Kross. Meanwhile, WWE’s official approach to quietly removing them from the roster suggests the company is moving on without fanfare.

Sources close to WWE have expressed surprise over how the situation unfolded so abruptly, with some describing the final days as confusing even within the backstage environment. One top talent interviewed on the condition of anonymity expressed hope that the couple might remain with WWE, emphasizing Kross’s undeniable talent and charisma[3].

Final Thoughts

The departure of Karrion Kross and Scarlett from WWE marks one of the more enigmatic exits in recent memory. Despite Kross’s clear desire to continue in WWE, the lack of a contract offer and sudden removal from programming have left many unanswered questions. Their future wrestling plans are currently open, with possibilities ranging from independent circuits to perhaps rejoining international promotions.

As the dust settles, wrestling fans and insiders alike will be watching closely to see where Karrion Kross and Scarlett land next and whether this chapter in WWE history will eventually be revisited in a meaningful way.

This article incorporates information from WWE.com, detailed reports by Fightful Select and Wrestling Inc., as well as statements from Karrion Kross and Scarlett on social media and YouTube.