WWE set to bring shock star back to company despite being released

WWE are reportedly set to bring a surprise star back to the company - despite agreeing to release him less than 18 months ago.

The company announced their latest set of releases in April, sparking significant controversy among fans in the process.

Chief among the departures was three-time Women's Tag Team Champion Kairi Sane, who was regarded as one of the top wrestlers in WWE and was in the midst of a long-term storyline with fellow women's stars Asuka and IYO SKY.

There has been hope that WWE would perform a U-turn on their decision and ask the Japanese star to return to the company, as they did with R-Truth last year, but there is no indication that such an offer has been made.

READ MORE: WWE release 22 wrestlers after WrestleMania in newest round of cuts

However, according to Fightful Select, WWE have agreed to imminently bring back another released wrestler.

Baron Corbin left WWE in November 2024 after his contract expired and the company chose not to renew it.

The 41-year-old had only recently been called up to the main roster after a spell in NXT.

Fightful claim that Corbin has finished up his commitments with other wrestling promotions, and as per sources, has either already signed with WWE or is 'expected to do so soon'.

Corbin - real name Thomas Pestock - has attempted to play down the rumours on social media, writing: "I accepted eight shows in Europe. My eye is still swollen from Australia.

"I also didn't know I was done with some of these companies. Whoever is making my schedule needs to let me know this shit. I thought it was me but apparently it's not."

Had to correct my horrible grammar. I accepted 8 shows in Europe. My eye is still swollen from Australia. I also didn’t know i was done with some of these companies. Who ever is making my schedule needs to let me know this shit. I thought it was me but apparently it’s not. https://t.co/Z5wc3NOuL3

— Tom (@TomPestock) May 21, 2026

Corbin is a former United States Champion and won the Money in the Bank briefcase in 2017, only to unsuccessfully cash it in against John Cena.

WWE sign four new stars

According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter's Bryan Alvarez, WWE have formally signed four new wrestlers to contracts but are yet to announce them.

He writes that one of the four wrestlers, Nicole Martinez, was invited to a WWE tryout and will join the NXT brand.

Alvarez has added that three other unnamed wrestlers have agreed to sign contracts.

Following the April set of releases, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods both left the company earlier this month after it was claimed that WWE's parent company, TKO, had asked them to take a salary cut.

The company also released JC Mateo and Tonga Loa, who both wrestled on the SmackDown brand as part of Solo Sikoa's faction.