The reaction to WWE’s latest talent releases is still growing, and now Booker T has shared his thoughts. After WWE released Olympic gold medalist Tyra Mae Steele, he had a clear message for everyone in the locker room.
WWE’s talent releases on April 24, 2026, hit harder than usual. Big names like Kairi Sane, Aleister Black, Zelina Vega, Motor City Machine Guns, and the entire Wyatt Sicks group departed. Many talents from WWE’s developmental brands were also released. Among them, the release of Tyra Mae Steele appears quite shocking.
Booker T says WWE releasing Olympic gold medalist shows ‘nobody is safe’
Speaking on his Hall of Fame podcast, Booker T didn’t hold back. He pointed out that if someone like Steele could be released, that proves no one’s job is guaranteed anymore.
Steele, whose real name is Tamyra Mensah-Stock, became the first Black woman to win gold in women’s freestyle wrestling at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. She was also the winner of the first season of WWE’s LFG show.
“Talk about like Tyra Mae Steel, Olympic gold medalist, was cut. Season one winner of LFG. That should tell everybody, nobody is safe. That should let everybody know that, ‘Hey, man, this thing is really, really serious.’ I just say, of course, those guys are going to be all right,” Booker said.
Steele’s situation is especially surprising because of her background. After winning gold at the Olympics, she joined WWE in 2023 and quickly stood out as a top prospect. In early 2025, she won the first season of LFG under the tutelage of The Undertaker.
The LFG show was meant to build future stars, with mentors like Booker T, Bully Ray, and Mickie James. Winners received NXT contracts. So Steele getting released so soon after winning sounds a bit confusing.
It questions the purpose of developmental shows. If even the winner could get released quickly, it raises doubts about how valuable the program really is. This becomes especially pertinent with the new season of LFG just starting.
Steele spent about three years in WWE. She debuted in NXT in June 2025, later moved to the EVOLVE brand, and competed in several matches, including a Women’s Championship Gauntlet. Her last match aired on April 29, 2026, where she lost to Kali Armstrong.
Fans have also reacted strongly to the cuts. Many have complained, especially about how storylines end without warning. Some even started campaigns asking for certain stars, like Kairi Sane, to return.
However, these cuts have been a part of a regular process in WWE to make room for new talent from the Performance Center.
Read More: Recently Released WWE Star Announces Their Retirement From Wrestling