Kayla Braxton announces she is leaving WWE

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Kayla Braxton has announced she is leaving WWE after eight years with the company.

Her final appearance with WWE will be next Friday’s SmackDown (28 June) at Madison Square Garden in New York City.

Braxton said on X: “After nearly 8 years holding the microphone on WWE television, I am setting it down to pursue my next chapter. Next week at the world’s most famous arena, I will be officially signing off.

“During my years with WWE, I was able to master the art of the back-stage interview. I hope I was able to turn minutes into moments for you who watched week to week and maybe even ushered in a new fan base.

“My banter with Paul Heyman became the stuff of legend, and I am so thankful for all he has done to elevate my career. I gained a wealth of knowledge from the Wise man and for that, I’ll be eternally grateful.

“In 2016, the legendary Michael Cole brought me in to begin my WWE career as a ring announcer with NXT, but I quickly found myself touring the globe, hosting hall of fame ceremonies, kickoff shows and helping launch WWE’s first weekly morning show, “The Bump”. I exited “The Bump” after more than 200 shows and a move to Los Angeles.

“Now on the west coast, I have been offered new opportunities that will further utilize the skills I gained working for the largest sports entertainment company in the world. I am extremely thankful to Triple H, Nick Khan, WWE and all of its partners for allowing me to be a trusted voice on WWE television for all these years.

“Thank you to every single person who made me feel like this was my home and that I was a part of this family. Thank you for taking a chance on me and welcoming this outsider with open arms. I hope I made you proud and I’d love it if you’d stay with me for this next chapter. I’m excited to reveal to all of you what I have coming up next!!!!”

Braxton – real name Kayla Becker – joined NXT in October 2016 as a host and ring announcer. She appeared on her first pay-per-view as a backstage interviewer during Backlash 2017, and followed it up with appearances at more PPVs in 2017.

She permanently left NXT in August 2019 and became a backstage interviewer on WWE SmackDown. She co-host of The Bump, and was the host of Talking Smack and SmackDown LowDown.