Karrion Kross has publicly addressed the shock and disappointment he felt following his recent release from WWE, revealing that the way WWE handled contract communications left him “hurt” and “baffled.” In a candid interview with Ariel Helwani, Kross, whose real name is Kevin Robert Kesar, detailed the breakdown of his contract talks and expressed ongoing hope for returning to the company despite the current status of his WWE contract lapse on August 10, 2025[1][2][4].

The Timeline of WWE Contract Negotiations

Karrion Kross explained that although his WWE contract was set to expire on August 10, he only received a contract renewal offer from WWE a week prior. “The truth of the matter is… my contract was up last week. I never actually received a contract, like an offer, until last week,” Kross said on The Ariel Helwani Show[2][4]. He went on to reveal his efforts to understand the logic behind the offer’s valuation:

“I wanted to know how they came to the valuation of that offer. Just wanted some information, some metrics, some analytics that’s supporting to, hey, this is how we got here.”[1]

Kross disclosed that WWE was reluctant to share any such supporting information and instead pressured him to accept the offer within 24 hours, threatening to rescind it otherwise. When Kross followed up to clarify and request the missing details, WWE did not provide any new information and ultimately rescinded the offer, leaving Kross and his wife Scarlett without contracts[1][4].

Scarlett’s Situation and Impact on the Duo

Unlike Kross, Scarlett Bordeaux—his real-life wife and on-screen manager—did not receive a renewal offer. This added a layer of complexity to the situation, given their close association both personally and professionally. Sources close to Kross revealed the couple remains hopeful about resolving the impasse, saying they “still want to work it out” with WWE despite the setbacks[1][4].

Fan Reaction and ‘#WeWantKross’ Movement

Karrion Kross garnered significant fan support during his feud with Sami Zayn, particularly highlighted during WWE SummerSlam 2025. The fans’ chants for Kross caught the attention of WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H, although he mistakenly thought they were chanting for Brock Lesnar[5]. This organic fan enthusiasm sparked the ‘#WeWantKross’ movement on social media, with many observers comparing it to prior fan-driven pushes such as ‘#WeWantCody’ during Cody Rhodes’ departure from WWE[5].

WWE’s Creative Direction and Ambiguity

Kross’s situation exemplifies the blurred lines WWE has been known to create between storyline and reality, especially under Triple H’s creative leadership. While fans and observers debate whether the release is a legitimate separation or an elaborate work, Kross himself stressed that his comments and contract status are entirely out of character and real-life fact[4][5]. His final match with WWE was a loss to Sami Zayn at SummerSlam 2025, following another match loss at Night of Champions[2].

New Opportunities Outside WWE

After his official departure, Kross and Scarlett have announced several upcoming appearances on the independent and convention circuits, signaling that their careers will continue beyond WWE for the time being. Scheduled appearances include fan conventions like Mad Monster Expo in North Carolina, Silver Scream Con in Massachusetts, and New York Comic Con, among others[3]. Kross tweeted that “this is just the beginning for them” and encouraged fans to stay tuned for more updates about their post-WWE plans[3].

Backstage Perspectives and Industry Insight

According to WWE insiders familiar with the situation, Kross’s release and contract negotiations reflected broader WWE challenges in balancing creative direction with talent management and contracts. The company’s hesitation to provide concrete valuation metrics to Kross during negotiations suggested an internal disconnect about talent’s value and role in WWE’s evolving business model. One source close to WWE stated, “Karrion pushed for transparency in his contract evaluation, which is not the usual way WWE handles these talks, leading to frustration on both sides.” Meanwhile, industry insiders speculate Kross’s outspoken stance on his release could influence WWE’s future approach to contract talks with top-tier talent[1][4].

Conclusion

Karrion Kross’s revelation about his WWE release highlights the complicated business dynamics behind WWE’s contract negotiations and the realities faced by talent navigating the company’s opaque communication practices. Despite being “hurt” and “baffled” by WWE’s handling of his contract, Kross remains a highly sought-after figure due to his in-ring talent and recent surge in fan support. As he and Scarlett embark on new ventures outside WWE, wrestling fans worldwide are watching closely to see if this marks a new chapter in his career or eventually leads to a surprising return to WWE programming.

This article is based on reports from WWE.com, interviews on The Ariel Helwani Show, Fightful, Wrestling Inc., SI.com, and other credible wrestling news sources from August 2025.