WWE Evolve wrestler announces WWE departure
Kai Kavari is no longer with WWE.
Kavari, whose real name is Cyrus Habibi-Likio, signed with WWE in November 2025. He was a running back at Boise State before joining the company.
Kavari announced on Instagram on Wednesday that he is leaving WWE. He cited wanting to move back to California to work on his real estate business among other reasons.
Kavari said:
“It was not an easy decision, but I had to make it. Most of you guys know I signed a three-year contract with WWE, but I’ve decided to step away.”
He continued:
“We have our third kid on the way. I also have my grandparents back home, both sets, which I’m very blessed to have. They’re getting older, and I just feel like our life belongs in California with our family.
Second, financially. Having a hard time doing my California real estate business in Florida. When you start in WWE, you don’t get paid the most. Potentially, you can make bread. But me specifically, I’m not at a time in my life where I can live off potential.
And being brutally honest, I can go back to California and make main roster, main eventer-type money through real estate.”
Kavari also cited religious reasons, saying:
“I feel being a professional athlete, which is nothing wrong with it, but when you’re constantly chasing to better yourself, I feel like it’s been pretty hard to glorify my Lord and Savior.
So I feel now that I have more time on my hands, I’m not traveling, I can spend more time with my church community and, honestly, just building a healthier relationship with Jesus.
But I just wanted to come on here and say thank you, WWE. I appreciate you guys. Some of the best people I’ve ever met. Shout-out my dog, Coach Bloom, the head coach. That’s my dude right there.”
Kavari last wrestled in a dark match at the June 2 NXT event at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, losing to Harlem Lewis. His last match on WWE programming was a loss to Kale Dixon on an episode of WWE Evolve that was taped on May 29 and aired on June 24.
A link to his social media post is below.
Ian Carey is a writer from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, whose work has appeared in award-winning publications such as NOW Magazine and The Huffington Post. He joined the F4WOnline team in 2019 and was named managing editor in the summer of 2026. Born in Calgary, Alberta, Ian has covered professional wrestling for more than 15 years.