WWE Is Desperately Trying to Keep Xavier Woods With Special Deal

WWE is reportedly attempting to retain Xavier Woods following his release — not as an in-ring performer but through a deal similar to the one Tyler Breeze currently holds, which ties him specifically to the UpUpDownDown YouTube channel. Bryan Alvarez revealed the development on Wrestling Observer Live, making clear that a New Day reunion in AEW is not a foregone conclusion despite the widespread assumption.

“I do believe that WWE is trying to retain Woods with, as it was referred to repeatedly, ‘the Tyler Breeze deal.’ Which is basically he gets paid money to do stuff for the video game. I don’t know if he will accept that offer. I don’t know what’s going on in his head, but he might. It’s not a foregone conclusion that both of the New Day are going to AEW. It’s likely going to happen, I would say, but there are things being done where WWE is trying to retain him for other things,” Alvarez said.

Xavier Woods Launched UpUpDownDown in 2015 and Has Been the Face of the WWE YouTube Channel Ever Since

The UpUpDownDown YouTube channel was launched in 2015 with Woods as its face, though the channel has always been owned by WWE. Tyler Breeze’s current arrangement sees him attached exclusively to the channel — he is permitted to wrestle on the independent scene but is banned from appearing on AEW programming. Woods and Kofi Kingston were granted their releases after rejecting WWE’s request to restructure their contracts, with both now subject to 90-day non-compete clauses. Multiple AEW performers have publicly expressed interest in the duo signing with the promotion.