“Fantasy Booking 101” is a column on Pop Break dedicated to our writers’ wild wrestling imaginations.
Unfortunately, this column returns less than one week after the latest free agent column. On Saturday May 2, shockwaves were sent across the wrestling world when it was announced that Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston — the New Day — were leaving WWE. Ling considered WWE lifers, it blew minds and broke hearts that the highly-decorated athletes decided to part ways with the company they’d be synonymous with, and let’s be frank, carried during its darkest days of horrible creative. The Power of Positivity, Kofimania, Booty-O’s, hosting Wrestlemania, trombones … it’s sad to see, ya boys, The New Day leaving due to a demand for contract restructuring.
In successive news, it was also announced that members of The MFTs, Tonga Loa and JC Matteo (Jeff Cobb), were also released along with Gavin O’Shea, a producer for WWE for over 25 years.
This is, of course, just a few weeks after the company had over 100,000 people at a commercial-filled WrestleMania 42 and huge proxy payouts for TKO executives were handed out.
But don’t you dare be sour (well, actually you can), because we have a good feeling all of these extremely talent people will be landing new jobs relatively soon.
Please Remember: This is a fantasy booking column. What’s written here are educated guesses, and some are (as our friend Wade Wilson would say) “educated wishes” for where these 2026 wrestling free agents will end up. We have zero inside information, nor should any of these be taken as gospel truth.
Kofi Kingston
Destination: AEW
Don’t Rule Out: A WWE Return
It’s so weird to think of WWE without Kofi Kingston. For 20 years, he’s been an integral part of the company, winning so many titles and having so many big moments. Yet, here we are. Kofi Kingston going to AEW makes all the sense in the world. He’ll more than likely enter the company with Xavier Woods as a tag team, and with this 90-day clause attached, they’ll both be a huge part of All In London on Sunday August 30. The idea of Kingston with Woods against FTR, The Young Bucks, The Hurt Syndicate, JetSpeed, and others is equally as tantalizing as him against the likes of Swerve Strickland, Tomasso Ciampa, MJF and others.
AEW would also be inheriting someone who can morph into a player/coach is vital to the company’s long-term sustainability. We’ve seen what having someone like Chris Hero can do for AEW, imagine what the leader of Kofimania could do.
Now given the outpouring of anger and heartbreak over this mutual split, could we see a return to WWE? Of course, you never say never. In fact, it’d be really smart of WWE to make things work and push this team. However, given how the new regime is working, I don’t see them buckling under the pressure of mending fences with the former New Day.
Xavier Woods
Destination: AEW
Don’t Rule Out: A WWE Return
Xavier Woods is a must-sign for AEW.
Apply everything stated about Kofi regarding tag teams to Woods. These two against any and all those teams (and those not mentioned) are going to be great. However, the match we all need is Woods vs. Kenny Omega. This friendly rivalry has been one of the great “What Ifs” in pro wrestling, and now it’s right there. Also, since Woods is much better in the ring than advertised, AEW will allow him to show out a bit more.
However, the in-ring performance isn’t the only reason AEW should sign the man, who I guess is now going to be called Austin Creed. He proved himself to be such a great ambassador and public-facing representative of WWE, and he could easily do the same for AEW. Having him on panels at Comic Con discussing DC properties, at video game conventions, or any sort of public event is print money for All Elite Wrestling. Likability is not something bred in everyone; Creed seems to have an overabundance of it.
Also, if they ever want to relaunch their video game division, or have their own version of Up Up Down Down, there’s no one better than the former Xavier Woods to head it up.
Jeff Cobb
Destination: New Japan Pro-Wrestling
Don’t Rule Out: Pro Wrestling Noah
Jeff Cobb is incredible. However, it never felt like he was going to fit in the entertainment-centric landscape of current WWE. The man, who you could argue is a modern-day Tazz, was treated like The Human Suplex Machine was during The Attitude Era … but worse. There was fanfare to his debut, but he was immediately saddled with the horrible JC Mateo moniker and became a faceless member of Solo Sikoa’s MFT faction. His true potential was never tapped into, but given he was only in WWE for just under a year, his signing felt more like a knee-jerk reaction to prevent him from potentially signing with AEW.
So, where does the modern day suplex machine go? Returning to New Japan Pro-Wrestling, and rejoining The United Empire makes all the sense in the world. However, him leaving while being one-half of the IWGP World Tag Team Champions might have left a sour taste in the mouths of the NJPW office. But let’s face facts: NJPW needs talent, and WWE has historically pressured people into leaving before their contractual obligations are up. So, maybe things’ll sort out.
If that doesn’t work out, Pro Wrestling Noah seems to be gathering a lot of former New Japan alumni – The Good Brothers recently debuted there, Naito and Bushi have worked there, and former TMDK leader Shane Haste (who was a staple in Noah for a long time) returned and won the GHC World Title. Also, if Lucha Underground is coming back…
Tonga Loa
Destination: Pro Wrestling Noah, MLW
Don’t Rule Out: New Japan
Tonga Loa didn’t have the greatest run in WWE. While he did make it into a War Games PLE and snag the tag titles with Tama Tonga, he didn’t exactly light the world on fire with his run. It’s a bit of a crime we didn’t get a G.O.D. vs. The Usos match in WWE, but honestly Ol’ Hunter and the boys didn’t seem to have that much investment in tag team wrestling on Smackdown! to begin with.
Tonga Loa is likely a candidate for Pro Wrestling NOAH and MLW to hang with The Good Brothers. While, New Japan does need talent, can’t see them knocking down his door especially given moments like his infamous match with Okada. Then again, they keep running with House of Torture, so who’s to say.
