Jakara Jackson surprised by her WWE release and NXT departure has left fans and colleagues stunned, with her own shock evident as she detailed the unexpected news. Jackson, known for her vibrant presence on NXT and joint appearances with Lash Legend, discovered her release just days after a major faction split on WWE’s developmental brand, adding another chapter to the recent wave of roster changes affecting talents like Cora Jade and R-Truth.
NXT Regular Jakara Jackson Caught Off Guard by Release
Jakara Jackson was informed of her WWE exit on May 2nd, only a short while after her last appearance on NXT on April 29th, when the Meta-Four—a group including Jackson, Lash Legend, Noam Dar, and Oro Mensah—publicly ended their alliance. Jackson was deeply invested in this faction, and her surprise exit came amid ongoing collaborative appearances with Legend on TNA iMPACT! as part of the WWE–TNA partnership.
Jackson opened up on The Stardom Cast podcast, describing the emotional and unforeseen nature of her departure. She described missing any warning signs this time, especially compared to years past when a sense of uncertainty sometimes arose before news broke. She recounted the frenetic schedule following the group’s international trip, saying that her sense of security made the news hit even harder.
“There are always different stories for everyone. We all know releases happen from time to time. I remember years ago, I used to get a sense when something was coming. You’d feel a little unsure, like, ‘Oh my gosh.’ But this time? Not at all. We were on a roll. Ever since the Saudi Arabia trip, we’d been nonstop. Then came the TNA opportunity. As soon as we landed, I took a nap, woke up — and that’s when we found out. You just shake your head because you never know with this business. I truly had no idea. It was the worst way to find out, especially because it was supposed to be a joyful, relaxing Friday night. I felt the emotions I needed to feel, took care of myself, and kept going. The show must go on.”
—Jakara Jackson, WWE Superstar
Jackson was on her way to celebrate her niece‘s birthday when she learned of the decision, adding a bittersweet twist to what should have been a happy family occasion.
Extended Impact on the Roster and Locker Room
The effects of recent WWE roster changes ripple beyond Jackson’s personal story. Cora Jade—whose exit also shocked many—was a close collaborator for Roxanne Perez, who spoke heartfeltly about Jade’s influence during her journey. Perez credited Jade with helping her develop her character and find confidence during crucial career moments, especially as the two worked closely as a team and in storylines.
“I absolutely love Cora so much. And, yeah, we definitely talked about making it to the WWE together before we even made it, and being able to share all of those moments that we were able to share together from her last (NXT) match, being to tag with me was really cool. And I feel like, when I look back at my NXT career — oh, that kind of made me cry — I feel like, when I look back at my NXT career, I just see Cora and how much she helped me, how much she helped me with my character work, and to be comfortable with who I am. My heel turn was close to us teaming up again together. So being able to do all of these promos with her and these backstages really brought out a different side of me and a more comfortable side, and a side that I had never really shown to the world or the crowd before. So yeah, I absolutely love Cora, and it’s hard to do it without her now, but I know she’s gonna absolutely kill it in whatever she decides to do. I think everybody should definitely keep an eye on Elayna Black because she’s gonna do some really cool things.”
—Roxanne Perez, WWE Superstar
Jackson’s experience aligns with a broader sense of uncertainty felt across the WWE and NXT locker rooms. Sudden changes have hit both established names and rising talents, fueling complex emotions for those left behind and those moving forward into new opportunities.
Transitions and The Road Ahead for WWE Talent
Jackson’s departure is not an isolated event. The WWE landscape has shifted in recent months, with a number of high-profile releases and new opportunities—such as cross-promotional work with TNA iMPACT!—offering both upheaval and hope for wrestlers like Jackson, Legend, and others. The shifting environment and new alliances have altered the dynamics for talent at all levels, from fresh prospects like JC Mateo, who was recently praised by Jacob Fatu, to established veterans like R-Truth whose own WWE release sent shockwaves through the locker room.
“The Bloodline has always been The Bloodline, we’re talking about coming from the OG, from the top dog Roman, (The) Usos, Solo. It’s just like what I said at the press conference. I can’t really even speak on it because at the end of the day, we can say this and that, but you know what? It ain’t no jealousy. It ain’t nothing else beyond that. At the end of the day he deserves to be in WWE. He deserves to be there, especially after all the stuff that he’s been through.”
—Jacob Fatu, Professional Wrestler
For Jackson, focus remains on adapting and persevering, a sentiment reflected by her decision to maintain composure and continue forward immediately after the unexpected news. Her ability to face adversity could lead her to future appearances in other promotions like TNA or AEW, or even outside of wrestling entirely.
Significance and What’s Next Following These WWE Changes
The release of talents like Jakara Jackson from WWE and NXT underscores the unpredictability and volatility of the professional wrestling industry. The impact is keenly felt by talents who have formed strong bonds and by fans who follow their stories closely. As the company evolves—integrating more women’s matches, high-profile faction storylines, and cross-promotional ventures—the door remains open for former stars to reemerge in new roles or different promotions.
For now, Jakara Jackson’s surprise at her WWE release and NXT departure serves as a reminder of both the personal and professional uncertainties faced by athletes at every level. The wrestling world continues to watch as names like Jackson, Cora Jade, and their contemporaries seek their next chapters, whether within wrestling or in entirely new arenas.
