Karrion Kross Sparks WWE Return Rumors After Receiving Surprise Text During Interview

The former NXT Champion left WWE in 2025 but could be eyeing a comeback after a mysterious text from Paul Heyman.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Karrion Kross, a former NXT Champion who left WWE in 2025, sparked rumors of a potential return to the company after receiving a surprise text message from Paul Heyman during a recent interview. Kross, who has been working on the independent circuit, seemed genuinely surprised by the text and hinted that something big may be happening in the future, though he did not reveal the contents of the message.

Why it matters

Kross's potential return to WWE would be significant, as he was a rising star in the company before his previous departure. His addition to The Vision faction, which is led by Heyman and includes Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, Austin Theory, and Logan Paul, could lead to intriguing storylines and feuds on WWE's flagship show, Raw.

The details

Kross left WWE in 2025 when his contract expired, shortly after a match against Sami Zayn at SummerSlam. He had a tumultuous run on the main roster, being called up during the Vince McMahon-led creative regime in 2021 and then being released later that year. The Triple H-led creative regime brought Kross back in 2022, and he worked with The Final Testament faction before having a match at WrestleMania 40.

  • Kross left WWE in August 2025 when his contract expired.
  • Kross received the surprise text from Paul Heyman during a recent interview.

The players

Karrion Kross

A former NXT Champion who has been working on the independent circuit since leaving WWE in 2025.

Paul Heyman

The leader of the Vision faction in WWE, which includes Bron Breakker, Bronson Reed, Austin Theory, and Logan Paul.

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What they’re saying

“Something big happening in the future was not out of the question.”

— Karrion Kross (Monopoly Events)

What’s next

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The takeaway

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