Karrion Kross and Scarlett have been let go by WWE for the second time following months of rumors and speculation on whether officials were going to push the popular couple, or at least re-sign them to contract extensions. There were signs of the situation going in a more positive direction at times, but now loyal fans of Kross and Scarlett may be able to catch them elsewhere.
The Herald of Doomsday’s first WWE run went from February 2020 until November 2021, but Triple H re-hired the two-time NXT Champion and his wife in August 2022, not too long after Vince McMahon’s exit. It was just recently revealed that Khan offered Kross a one-off AEW match shortly after his first WWE departure, but he declined the offer for unknown reasons.
Sources reported earlier this year that Karrion Kross and Scarlett were still expected to have strong interest from non-WWE companies once their contracts expired and were not renewed. There is ongoing speculation on WWE trying to work the wrestling world with this ‘departure,’ but sources are adamant that the pair was actually allowed to depart.
Karrion Kross debuted for MLW in 2020, but after just two matches, he chose to sign with WWE. This was two years before Major League Wrestling filed its antitrust lawsuit against World Wrestling Entertainment, accusing the company of interfering in their streaming and television deals, and poaching talent.
When Fightful Select asked MLW higher-ups about The Herald Of Doomsday contract debacle, they noted that the situation was likely just a big work, and that the duo would be rewarded for their work over the last year. The MLW source added that if the exits were legitimate, then the couple wouldn’t be out of work for long.
WWE Partnerships Could Impact Opportunities For Karrion Kross
Karrion Kross found significant success around the wrestling world before joining WWE. After debuting in September 2014, he went on to have significant runs in Lucha Underground, AAA, TNA, and MLW. Scarlett Bordeaux also wore various hats for different promotions after debuting in April 2012. She worked for OVW, ROH, TNA, and AAA, and made WWE appearances before returning to the company as a full-time talent with The Herald Of Doomsday.
The Tollman and The Smokeshow worked for NJPW and MLW in 2022, between their WWE runs. Regarding potential work for New Japan, the Fightful Select report noted that Kross was only booked for two NJPW Strong matches in 2022, and while the brand was kept alive after the format change in 2023, there have only been three NJofA shows in the United States this year.
Karrion Kross and Scarlett Bordeaux left Total Nonstop Action Wrestling under a bit of controversy in 2019, but word now is that the company is an option for the duo as the regime is completely different. Higher-ups in TNA confirmed that there is no ill will from their side, despite harsh comments from the duo in the past. However, WWE’s alliances with TNA and AAA could prevent Kross and Bordeaux from making returns there.
Kross has connections in Game-Changer Wrestling and worked a few Bloodsport events while with WWE, but Fightful points to how the wrestling landscape outside of WWE is much different than it was even three years ago. World Wrestling Entertainment owns AAA, has a successful partnership with TNA, and even has a working relationship with GCW.
Karrion Kross debuted for AAA in March 2017, while Bordeaux arrived in September 2018. They both had significant runs with the promotion now owned by WWE, and Scarlett’s debut is currently the most popular clip on the official AAA YouTube channel with almost 35,200,000 views, blowing the #2-ranked video that has almost 10,700,000 views.