Tyson Dupont has opened up about his WWE release, explaining that while he had expected his time with the company to end, he did not believe the call would come while he was recovering from hip surgery.
Dupont announced on April 1 that he was undergoing surgery on his hip. Just over three weeks later, on April 24, he was released by WWE. Speaking with Bryan Asbury on Developmentally Speaking, Dupont described a mixed reaction to the news. He said the release itself was not a major surprise because he and tag team partner Tyriek Igwe had been absent from NXT television for an extended period, but his recovery status made the timing unexpected.
“To be completely honest, no. I knew it was coming just because we hadn’t been on TV for 10 months prior to that, so usually that is a telling sign,” Dupont said. “I was surprised because I literally just had hip surgery on April 1. I didn’t think they would release me while I was hurt, but I had a feeling it was coming. I thought I had a little more time, but even with that, I wasn’t upset. I was just thankful.”
Dupont and Igwe worked together in WWE’s developmental system as High Ryze. The team had not appeared on NXT television since July 2025, a gap that Dupont viewed as an indication that his WWE run could be nearing its conclusion. High Ryze did, however, appear on episodes of TNA iMPACT! in December 2025, giving the duo exposure beyond the weekly NXT program during the WWE-TNA working relationship.
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For a wrestler dealing with a significant physical issue, a release can create immediate questions about treatment, rehabilitation, and the ability to return to the ring. Dupont said WWE continued to take care of his medical expenses despite his release, an arrangement he said left him appreciative as he focused on getting healthy.
“I was able to get the surgery. They have taken care of my medical expenses, even after being released, so I was thankful for that,” Dupont said. “I just wanted to get healthy again. I wasn’t even upset. When I got the call, I was more thankful. Thankful that it happened and for the opportunity.”
A Difficult Moment Viewed With Perspective
Dupont’s comments stand out for the perspective he brought to a difficult career moment. Wrestlers often spend years pursuing a WWE opportunity, and a release can be particularly challenging when an in-ring injury or surgery prevents them from immediately pursuing the next chapter. Dupont said he chose to look at both the opportunity he had received and the treatment that remained available to him rather than responding with resentment.
His remarks also suggest that the months away from NXT programming had prepared him for the possibility of a release. A television absence does not always provide a full explanation for a performer’s status. Wrestlers can be dealing with injuries, creative changes, training assignments, or other circumstances that are not publicly detailed. Still, Dupont said that being off TV for 10 months gave him reason to believe that a departure could be approaching.
That did not erase the surprise surrounding the timing. Dupont’s hip surgery was announced on April 1, and WWE released him on April 24. The proximity of those dates was central to his reaction. He believed he might have had more time before receiving the call and did not expect to be released while injured, but he said he understood the situation and remained focused on recovery.
Rather than framing the end of his WWE deal as solely a disappointment, Dupont said he saw it as a point at which another wrestler could be given the chance to pursue the same dream. His response reflected an acceptance that opportunities in professional wrestling do not last indefinitely, even when a performer remains committed to achieving more.
“Nothing lasts forever. We can chase our goals and dreams all we want, but when it’s time, it’s time,” Dupont said. “It was time to make room for someone else to have the opportunity to live their dream and that’s something I’m okay with.”
High Ryze’s WWE and TNA Appearances
Dupont’s WWE tenure included his work alongside Igwe as High Ryze. The pair represented a developing tag team act within the company’s pipeline, with their appearances tied to NXT and, later, TNA iMPACT!. Their final NXT television appearance came in July 2025, while their December 2025 involvement on iMPACT! marked a later appearance connected to the WWE-TNA collaboration.
The distinction between those appearances is important in evaluating the timeline Dupont described. He had not been featured on NXT TV for 10 months by the time of his April release, even though he had appeared in the TNA setting during that period. Dupont specifically pointed to the extended NXT absence as a sign that his place with WWE may have been uncertain.
There is no indication in Dupont’s comments that he has set a date for an in-ring return. His immediate priority, by his own account, is recovering from hip surgery. That process will determine when he can consider what comes next professionally.
Hip injuries and the recovery that follows can be especially significant for a wrestler, given the demands of training and in-ring performance. Dupont did not provide further details on the nature of the procedure, a projected recovery schedule, or future wrestling plans. What he did make clear is that receiving the surgery and having his related medical expenses covered have allowed him to concentrate on healing following his departure.
What Comes Next For Dupont
Dupont’s public comments leave the door open for the next phase of his wrestling career once he is medically able to return. He did not announce a new promotion, a return target, or any post-WWE booking plans. At this stage, his message is centered on gratitude for the chance he received, the medical care he said WWE has continued to provide, and the need to fully recover.
That approach places health ahead of any immediate effort to re-enter the ring. For Dupont, the release came during a period when competition was not the priority. Rehabilitation was. His appreciation for the ability to undergo surgery and continue receiving assistance with expenses was a consistent theme throughout his comments.
The end of a WWE run can bring uncertainty, particularly for talent whose momentum has been interrupted by time away from television and injury. Dupont acknowledged both realities without portraying the experience as a bitter ending. He said he had sensed the release was possible, accepted that he could not control the timing, and viewed the opportunity as meaningful even though it had concluded.
For now, Dupont remains in recovery from the hip surgery he underwent on April 1. His April 24 release ended his WWE tenure, but his comments indicate that the medical support connected to that procedure has continued after his departure. When he is healthy enough to resume training and compete again, the former High Ryze member will have the opportunity to determine his next direction in professional wrestling.
Darryl Polo
Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.