According to a new report from Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the general belief within WWE is that the recent departure of Karrion Kross and Scarlett is legitimate. However, the report notes conflicting details and opinions, including one source who suggested the situation could be a work, pointing to the high booking fees the pair are demanding for independent appearances.
Adding to the uncertainty, Meltzer noted that WWE continues to sell Karrion Kross’s merchandise at full price. This practice is reportedly unusual for talent who have genuinely left the company. Despite the conflicting signals, sources within WWE allegedly believe that both Kross and Scarlett will eventually return, regardless of whether their exit is the result of a contract dispute or a storyline angle.
The report highlights WWE’s recent tendency towards secrecy with certain storylines, citing the recent Seth Rollins injury angle as an example where very few people were aware of the actual situation. Meltzer also questioned the public narrative, finding it unusual that WWE would portray Kross and Scarlett as major acts only to present them with an unfavorable contract offer for Kross and no offer for Scarlett.
Meltzer suggested that if the departure is a work, Kross and Scarlett’s current activities—such as selling their own merchandise online and making independent appearances—would be consistent with an effort to make the storyline appear more realistic. Conversely, he stated that Kross publicly discussing his grievances on Ariel Helwani’s podcast could complicate a potential return if the contract issues are legitimate, as such public comments can strain negotiations.
This new information adds another layer to the contract dispute that culminated in the duo’s exit when their contracts expired on August 10, 2025. In his interview with Ariel Helwani, Kross stated that WWE presented him with a renewal offer just days before his contract ended, providing only a 24-hour window to accept. The offer was exclusively for him, with no new deal proposed for Scarlett.
According to Kross, when he inquired about a contract for his wife, WWE officials told him, “after we deal with you, we’ll deal with her.” Kross also cited a lack of transparency as a key factor in his decision, claiming WWE was unwilling to provide metrics behind its contract valuation. He has maintained the issue was a breakdown of trust rather than the monetary value of the offer.
As of now, Karrion Kross and Scarlett are officially free agents and have been moved to the alumni section of WWE’s website. They are scheduled for their first post-WWE appearance at The Big Event NY convention on November 15, 2025.
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