In a revealing and heartfelt video uploaded to his YouTube channel, former WWE star Karrion Kross broke his silence about his sudden departure from WWE, shedding light on the months-long frustrations with contract negotiations and creative limitations that ultimately led to his exit. Kross, alongside his real-life wife and on-screen partner Scarlett, was officially moved to WWE’s alumni roster on August 10, 2025, marking the end of their tenure with the company after a period filled with uncertainty and behind-the-scenes tension[2][3][4].
Kross candidly stated that despite his strong desire and repeated efforts to renew his WWE contract—expressing interest as early as January 2025—he never received a serious or substantive conversation from WWE officials regarding an extension. “It’s frustrating… so many months have gone by and never had a single conversation about it until recently,” Kross lamented. The brief discussions that did occur left him profoundly disappointed, contributing significantly to his decision to part ways[4].
Adding to his frustrations, Kross revealed the extent to which WWE’s creative direction stifled his momentum. After a major breakthrough moment in July on RAW, where the Providence crowd fervently chanted “We Want Kross,” his popularity was unmistakably rising. Yet, rather than being embraced, Kross felt his growing fan support became seen as a “problem” by certain creative decision-makers. Reflecting on his post-WrestleMania appearance on the Sam Roberts podcast, Kross recounted attempts to break character to display his passion, only for it to be misunderstood internally. Despite the acclaim from fans and some WWE personnel who reportedly told him “that’s the guy we need,” Kross’s enthusiasm did not translate into genuine opportunities behind the scenes[1][2][5].
The situation was complicated further by last-minute cancellations of planned WWE appearances. According to Fightful, Kross and Scarlett were scheduled to appear on a recent episode of RAW but had their travel plans abruptly canceled by WWE. This led to an unresolved storyline with Sami Zayn, where Kross had agreed to publicly admit he was wrong if he lost their match, but no closure was ever provided on air. Such abrupt decisions highlighted what insiders described as “strange” backstage politics impacting the couple’s WWE departure[3].
Despite these setbacks, Kross spoke with respect about the company and expressed appreciation for fans and colleagues. He asked for clarity that his raw comments made on the podcast and social media were part of his character work and not genuine bitterness towards WWE. “Please make sure everyone knows this was a work… I love it here, and I’m just doing my job,” he stressed[1][2].
Moreover, Kross credited veteran WWE star R-Truth with offering him valuable advice during this turbulent period. While details about their interaction have not been fully disclosed, Kross acknowledged the veteran’s guidance as a source of support, suggesting a camaraderie within the locker room despite the challenges he faced creatively[1].
Sources close to Kross told WrestlingNews and Fightful that while no official WWE statement has been released regarding the split, the decision was mutual after months of stalled negotiations and creative frustrations. Kross, who had multiple stints with WWE including a notable run as NXT Champion, leaves behind a legacy of potential unfulfilled in a company that reportedly hesitated to fully capitalize on his momentum[2][5].
As speculation swirls about Kross’s next destination, WWE fans and wrestling observers alike are left to contemplate the impact of internal dynamics on rising stars. Kross’s departure adds to a growing list of notable exits over recent months, underscoring ongoing challenges within WWE’s talent management and creative divisions.
According to a WWE insider, “Karrion showed everything he had inside and out, but it became clear that creative was unsure how to use him consistently. It’s unfortunate; there was real magic there”[5].
With both Kross and Scarlett now navigating free agency, the wrestling world is poised for their potential resurgence, perhaps in rival promotions where their talents can be fully showcased without creative restrictions.
This article incorporates details from WrestlingNews.co, Sportskeeda, WrestleTalk, Fightful, and SEScoops reporting on Karrion Kross’s WWE departure as of August 2025.