WWE has released five talents from its WWE ID program, the company’s Independent Development initiative, according to Wrestling Headlines. The departures were confirmed on October 14, 2026, and include Cappuccino Jones, Santi Rivera, Laynie Luck, Sam Holloway and Marcus Mathers.
The cuts represent one of the largest single rounds of releases from the WWE ID system since its launch, and they follow a broader pattern of attrition from the developmental-adjacent program that WWE has used to bring independent circuit talent into its orbit without full main-roster contracts.
Santi Rivera, who also competes under the name Santi Rivas, publicly confirmed his own departure separately, according to eWrestlingNews. Rivera had joined WWE ID in February 2026, meaning his run with the program lasted roughly eight months before his exit.
Marcus Mathers and Sam Holloway both issued personal statements addressing their releases, per Wrestling Headlines, though the specific content of those statements was not detailed in the available reporting. Cappuccino Jones and Laynie Luck were named among the released group as well, but no individual statements from either have been reported at this time.
What WWE ID Is and Why This Round of Cuts Matters
WWE ID functions as a pipeline for independent wrestlers to work with WWE while largely remaining active on the independent scene, serving as a lower-commitment alternative to a full NXT or main roster deal. Losing five names in one wave signals a notable thinning of that roster, though WWE has not publicly detailed the business rationale behind the cuts.
None of the five released wrestlers were reported to have existing main roster or NXT contracts at the time of their WWE ID departures, and no injury, contract dispute or disciplinary explanation has been confirmed by either source for any of the releases. Fans and industry observers will likely watch for further statements from Cappuccino Jones and Laynie Luck in the coming days, as well as any indication of where the released talents plan to compete next on the independent circuit.
