Report: Xavier Woods Re-Signs With WWE in Last-Minute Contract Agreement
After nearly becoming one of WWE’s biggest free agents, Xavier Woods has officially signed a new multi-year contract to remain with the company. But according to new reports, the deal came together at the very last minute — and it almost didn’t happen.
💥 Negotiations Came Down to the Wire
Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select reports that Woods’ new deal was finalized in September, just as his previous contract was set to expire. Sources told Fightful that discussions between Woods and WWE stretched longer than expected, but ultimately both sides reached an agreement before the deadline hit.
Woods, a multi-time Tag Team Champion and former King of the Ring, has been a mainstay in WWE for over a decade and is widely viewed as a future Hall of Famer. Alongside Kofi Kingston and Big E, The New Day has become one of the most decorated and beloved trios in company history.
This new deal ensures that Woods’ run with WWE continues — but it also raises fresh questions about his longtime tag team partner, Kofi Kingston.
🤔 What About Kofi Kingston?
Back in 2019, Woods, Kingston, and Big E each signed matching five-year contracts with WWE. If Woods’ deal just expired, that would suggest Kingston’s might be nearing its end as well.
However, there’s speculation that “injury time” may have been added to Kofi’s contract — something WWE occasionally does when a performer misses extended time due to injury. Fightful could not confirm whether that’s the case, but it’s a situation to keep an eye on in the coming months.
Kofi’s last televised match took place on the September 29 edition of Monday Night Raw, where he lost to LA Knight. He and Woods also teamed up in a dark match at last week’s SmackDown taping in Cincinnati, showing that The New Day still remains active despite all the backstage uncertainty.
🏗️ WWE’s Wider Contract Landscape
Woods’ extension comes amid a turbulent year of talent negotiations in WWE. Multiple stars — including Karrion Kross, Santos Escobar, and Jazmyn Nyx — reportedly explored their options or were willing to walk away altogether.
Meanwhile, both Woods and Bronson Reed have opted to stay with the company, suggesting WWE is locking in core mid- and upper-card talent heading into 2026.
🗣️ Wrestling.news | Backstage Take
Xavier Woods’ re-signing is a win for WWE’s long-term storytelling — and for fans who feared The New Day era might quietly end. The fact that talks nearly broke down shows that even cornerstone stars are negotiating harder than ever in the post-Endeavor landscape. Woods has built a brand that extends beyond the ring, from UpUpDownDown to G4 and countless fan projects, so it’s not surprising he had leverage.
As for Kofi Kingston — his next contract update could be even more telling. WWE would hate to lose one-third of its most celebrated modern tag team, but in 2025’s evolving market, nothing is guaranteed.
