It has been three weeks since Karrion Kross’ contract with WWE expired, marking the end of his time with the world’s largest wrestling organization. Despite some fans hoping his departure was just part of a storyline, Kross has confirmed the truth behind his exit while preparing for future appearances on the independent wrestling scene.
Kross, known as the Herald of Doomsday, gained attention during the high-profile feud between AJ Styles and Logan Paul, where fan support for him grew noticeably louder. He was also involved in a storyline with Sami Zayn, ultimately losing his final WWE match at SummerSlam. Following this, Karrion Kross and his wife Scarlett left WWE after their contracts expired on August 10. Rumors circulated that his exit might be a planned angle, but Kross denied these claims in a conversation with Denice Salcedo on her YouTube channel.
“A lot of them (fans) are really angry because they were hoping it was a work. They were hoping it was going to be a payoff. And I would never work somebody like that. To me, its not in good taste. (…) Running an angle where you lose your job and upset people would not be something I would do,” Kross said. —Karrion Kross, Professional Wrestler
Since leaving WWE, Kross has not wrestled inside that promotion but has appeared in Game Changer Wrestling (GCW) and is scheduled for other independent events in the coming weeks. This shift marks a new chapter in his career as he returns to wrestling outside the WWE spotlight.
Returning to His Original Ring Name Outside WWE
Due to WWE’s ownership of the “Karrion Kross” name, the former NXT Champion can no longer use it on the independent circuit. Instead, he reverted to his original in-ring persona, Killer Kross, which he was known by before signing with WWE in 2020.
In his first independent appearance following his WWE exit, Kross and Scarlett made an impactful statement at GCW Homecoming. During a match between Matt Cardona and Shotzi Blackheart, Scarlett distracted Cardona with a low blow, allowing Kross to force Cardona through a door. This sequence gave Shotzi the opportunity to win the match and capture the Garage Beer World Championship.
Karrion Kross’ departure from WWE and his immediate activity on the independent scene indicate his continued commitment to the wrestling business despite the disappointment surrounding his exit. Fans and industry observers will be watching closely to see how he shapes his post-WWE career in new environments, while his candid remarks help clarify the circumstances that led to the end of his time at WWE.
