Karrion Kross has confirmed his first match since his WWE contract ended on August 10th, announcing that he will face Richard Holliday in a No Disqualification Match. This highly anticipated bout will take place on September 21st at the Killer Smokeshow event in Rahway, New Jersey, produced by WrestlePro. Kross first revealed these details on social media, signaling the return of The Herald of Doomsday to the ring outside WWE.
Details of Karrion Kross’s Return and Upcoming Match
After weeks of uncertainty over his WWE status, Kross officially declared his return via an X post, confirming Richard Holliday as his opponent for the September event. The match promises to be intense and violent, with Kross issuing a grim warning directly to Holliday. Their confrontation will have no disqualifications, allowing for a brutal and unrestricted encounter. These developments follow Kross’s last WWE appearance at SummerSlam 2025, where he was defeated by Sami Zayn.
In a chilling promotional message, Kross said,
“You know you did. You know what you’re doing right now. You know what you’re gonna do. So how about this? September 21st, Rahway, New Jersey. You show up to the Killer Smokeshow. It’ll be a No DQ Match, and I’ll knock all your f*cking teeth out. I’m gonna squeeze all the oxygen out of your soul. And then I’ll see how f*cking mouthy you are after that. I hope to see you there. Maybe we’ll get a coffee afterward when I take you to the hospital.”
—Karrion Kross, Wrestler
Clarifying Karrion Kross’s Exit from WWE
Despite rumors suggesting his departure might be a storyline, Kross’s exit from WWE has been confirmed as genuine. Following the expiration of his contract on August 10th, Kross has openly discussed his departure through a documentary and various interviews. Reports from Fightful Select confirm that both Kross and Scarlett are no longer with WWE, dispelling speculation that his recent promos were part of a scripted angle.
Following his WWE exit, Kross has lined up multiple appearances, including the WrestlePro event in Rahway and the DEFY Wrestling AEON show on September 19 in Seattle, Washington. These bookings further cement his status as an independent wrestler moving forward.
The Broader Context of Kross’s Post-WWE Career
Karrion Kross’s decision to engage with independent promotions highlights a significant transition period as he rebuilds his career outside WWE’s framework. His upcoming match against Richard Holliday is likely to attract attention from fans eager to see how the former WWE star competes under less restrictive rules and in no-holds-barred conditions. With Kross actively confronting opponents like Holliday who have provoked him over social media, the intensity around his in-ring return continues to escalate.
The match at Killer Smokeshow may set the tone for Kross’s future engagements and impact his reputation on the independent circuit. Fans and industry insiders alike will be watching closely to see if his post–WWE persona can capture the same level of prominence he had under WWE’s banner. His confrontational promo and planned appearances at notable wrestling events suggest a focused, though potentially turbulent, path ahead.
