The wrestling world buzzes after Karrion Kross, freshly released from WWE, was announced as a guest on Ariel Helwani’s high-profile podcast, marking the next chapter in his controversial exit saga. This interview promises to shed light on his departure and future plans.
Karrion Kross’ contract officially expired on August 10, 2025, confirming his exit from WWE, as reported by multiple sources including WWE.com and Fightful[2][3]. This development followed months of speculation fueled by ambiguous backstage reports and public comments from Kross himself. Notably, Kross and his wife Scarlett Bordeaux, who also left WWE simultaneously, were quietly moved to the “alumni” section of WWE’s official roster page, signaling the company’s acknowledgment of their departures[3]. Despite lingering doubts over whether their exit was a genuine release or a storyline “work,” Kross decisively confirmed it via his YouTube channel, candidly addressing his complex relationship with WWE over the years[3].
Shortly after leaving WWE, Kross reverted to his pre-WWE ring name “Killer Kross” and launched new merchandise, signaling a return to his independent wrestling roots and a fresh start outside WWE’s creative constraints[1][4]. His wife Scarlett also embraced her former persona, “The Smokeshow,” coinciding with her own merch launch[4]. These moves reinforce the sense that Kross and Scarlett are carving out a new path as free agents, open to bookings across various promotions[1].
Industry insiders convey mixed reactions to the departures. Wrestling legend JBL, speaking on the “Something To Wrestle With” podcast, expressed surprise but optimism about Kross’s future. JBL emphasized Kross’s potential for success beyond WWE, noting his strong fan support and merchandise sales, which could translate well elsewhere[5]. JBL highlighted the current golden era for wrestlers building their brand independent of WWE’s influence, pointing to examples like Nattie Neidhart reinventing herself post-WWE[5].
The debut of Kross on Ariel Helwani’s podcast is especially significant. Helwani, renowned for his in-depth sports interviews, is expected to explore the nuances of Kross’s WWE run, his feelings about his release, and insights into his future career. Given Kross’s recent candid YouTube statement about feeling mistreated yet still holding respect for the industry, the upcoming dialogue holds promise for rare transparency regarding WWE contract dynamics, creative frustrations, and personal growth[3].
Fan response following Kross’s exit has been enthusiastic. Supporters flooded social media, discussing the implications and speculating on possible next steps, especially regarding his independent bookings and potential appearances in other major wrestling promotions[1]. Furthermore, Kross and Scarlett’s merchandise store reopening on Pro Wrestling Tees has generated strong interest, indicating a loyal fanbase eager to follow their endeavors beyond WWE’s purview[2][4].
WWE, for its part, has remained officially quiet, neither disputing nor confirming the exact circumstances of Kross and Scarlett’s departures. Reports from wrestling news outlets suggest that while some WWE corporate personnel quietly recognize their exit, no public statement was issued to maintain storyline ambiguity[2].
In summary, Karrion Kross’s appearance on Ariel Helwani’s podcast is set to be a watershed moment revealing behind-the-scenes truths about his WWE tenure and shedding light on his ambitions going forward. As the “Killer Kross” brand is reborn on the independent scene, fans and insiders alike watch closely to see how this compelling figure navigates the next phase of his wrestling career.
Sources close to Karrion Kross revealed to Wrestling Inc. that he is eager to discuss his WWE departure in detail and provide clarity after months of speculation, confirming this podcast appearance as his first major platform since leaving the company[Ref]. It stands to be a defining interview that wrestling enthusiasts and industry professionals will not want to miss.