X Source: People in NXT Question Purpose of WWE LFG After Winner Tyra Mae Steele Cut in Roster Downsizing

Tyra Mae Steele, the inaugural winner of WWE LFG and an Olympic gold medalist, was among the talent released in WWE’s roster cuts announced on Friday, April 25, 2026.

Steele, whose real name is Tamyra Mensah-Stock, earned her WWE contract by winning the first season of WWE LFG, a reality competition series that paired WWE legends with developmental talent. She defeated Zena Sterling in the final held at Madison Square Garden to secure the victory.

As part of Team The Undertaker, Steele was mentored by the WWE Hall of Famer during the competition. Her background as a 2020 Olympic gold medalist in women’s freestyle wrestling made her one of the most credentialed recruits in the LFG cast.

Following her win, Steele was expected to begin appearing on NXT television as part of her developmental contract. However, she had already been active in WWE’s EVOLVE brand prior to her release, including a challenge for the EVOLVE Women’s Championship against Kendal Grey in a match taped on February 20, 2026, which aired on March 11, 2026.

Her final WWE match took place at the March 20, 2026, EVOLVE taping at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, where she competed in a gauntlet match for an EVOLVE Women’s Title opportunity. The match was won by Wendy Choo.

Backstage reaction to Steele’s release has raised questions about the purpose of WWE LFG. Bryan Alvarez reported on X (formerly Twitter) that many within NXT are questioning the value of the competition if its winner can be released shortly after winning.

A lot of people in NXT questioning what the point of LFG is if they’re just going to cut the winner.

Bryan Alvarez

Alvarez shared the statement in a newsletter to his subscribers on Sunday, April 26, 2026, noting the sentiment among NXT talent regarding the recent cuts.

Jasper Troy, the male winner of WWE LFG Season 1 and a former college football star under the guidance of Booker T, was not included in the reported roster cuts and remains under WWE contract.

WWE LFG was designed as a replacement for Tough Enough, aiming to identify and develop future talent through mentorship from legends such as The Undertaker, Booker T, Bubba Ray Dudley, and Mickie James. The show aired over 15 weeks on A&E, with its finale broadcast on May 18, 2025.

The release of Tyra Mae Steele has prompted internal discussion about whether the outcomes of such developmental competitions align with WWE’s long-term talent strategy, particularly when winners are not retained despite achieving victory in a high-profile showcase.