Backstage Reason Behind Duke Hudson’s Release from WWE NXT

Duke Hudson’s time with WWE NXT has come to an end, with the Chase U star reportedly being let go in January 2025. Now more has come to light about the abrupt exit of the former Tag Team Champion.

WWE CCO Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque made the call for Hudson to be cut, the Wrestling Observer Radio reports, as decisions like these are one of Levesque’s many roles. WWE’s Chief Content Officer did not see Hudson as a main-roster talent, despite having been under contract for six years. At 34 years old, time was also not on his side, resulting in Hudson’s WWE tenure coming to an end.

Hudson joined WWE in February 2019 and would debut at an NXT live event the following month under real name Brendan Vink. In March 2020, he began appearing on Raw as an associate of MVP, but their partnership would disband shortly after and Hudson would return to NXT.

Highlights of Hudson’s WWE career include facing Cameron Grimes in a hair vs. hair match at NXT WarGames 2021, a match that Hudson would lose. The Australian’s sole title reign in WWE saw himself and Andre Chase hold the NXT Tag titles for three weeks in late 2023.

Now, Duke Hudson will have to find a role for himself in wrestling outside WWE. As an NXT release, fans will have to wait for Hudson’s 30-day non-compete clause to expire before they see the Australian powerhouse back in the ring.