Summary

Xavier Woods released a public statement on Monday, two days after news emerged that he and Kofi Kingston had mutually agreed to part ways with WWE.

Woods used the message to reflect on a 16-year run that began in FCW and grew into one of the most recognizable careers of WWE's modern tag team era. He pointed to WrestleMania appearances, championships, his King of the Ring win and the chance to connect with fans by fully embracing the Xavier Woods character.

The statement also serves as a direct follow-up to WWE's confirmation that Woods and Kingston were among the latest departures, while making clear that The New Day and UpUpDownDown remain central parts of how he views his time in the company.

Social media statement

In the post, Woods thanked WWE's locker room, producers, trainers, camera crews, ring crew and props department while describing the company as the place where he grew up and found himself.

He also framed The New Day as one of the deepest bonds of his career, specifically naming Kofi Kingston and Big E while crediting fans for believing in the group even when its ideas felt unusual. Woods extended that same feeling to UpUpDownDown, saying the project became another way to build joy, friendship and humanity with the people around him.

Woods ended the message by thanking fans for letting him be Xavier Woods and for giving him the confidence to leave this chapter behind as Austin Creed.

What Xavier Woods' statement means after WWE

Woods chose to present this exit as a farewell grounded in gratitude, not resentment, and that gives WWE fans a clearer sense of how he wants this moment to be remembered. By centering The New Day, UpUpDownDown and the people behind the scenes, he turned the statement into a look back at the pieces of his run that mattered most to him.

It also adds more weight to WWE losing another foundational part of The New Day legacy. Woods was not just a supporting figure in that act, he was a key voice in one of the most influential tag team runs the company has had in the last decade.

Sources

Austin Creed via X