Wait, did that really just happen? One minute you're the brash, loudmouthed standout of a WWE reality show, and the next, you're looking at a severance package. That is basically the whirlwind life of Brayden Jesse Ray, known to the "WWE Universe" as the polarizing Sexy BJ Ray.
His departure wasn't just a quiet exit through the back door of the Performance Center. On October 16, 2025, we got the official WWE superstar BJ Ray release statement via his social media, and honestly, it was exactly as loud and unfiltered as you’d expect from a guy who built his entire brand on being a "heel like they've never seen before."
The "Attitude of Gratitude" (With a Side of Shade)
When a developmental talent gets the axe, you usually get a cookie-cutter "thanks for the opportunity" post. Not BJ. While he did start by giving glory to God and thanking the "Big Three"—Triple H, Shawn Michaels, and Matt Bloom—he couldn't help but lean into the controversy that defined his short-lived tenure.
"Well obviously I had to have pissed somebody off lmao!" he wrote.
That single sentence tells you everything you need to know about why he’s gone. BJ Ray wasn't just another body in the ring; he was a walking lightning rod. From his viral, chest-puffing confrontations with Bubba Ray Dudley on WWE LFG to his constant "trolling" of the Internet Wrestling Community, he was always playing a character. The problem? Some veterans think he forgot to turn it off when the red light went dark.
Why WWE Actually Cut Ties with BJ Ray
If you ask the fans on Reddit, they'll tell you his in-ring work was "rough," to put it politely. But WWE has signed plenty of "projects" before. The real tea came from Booker T on his Hall of Fame podcast.
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Booker didn't hold back. He praised the kid’s look—the 6-foot frame, the "West Coast Gangster" swag—but basically said BJ Ray was his own worst enemy. According to the legend, the way BJ acted on camera was exactly how he acted in the locker room. In a corporate environment like the modern WWE Performance Center, "going into business for yourself" or being uncoachable is the fastest way to get your contract shredded.
Let's look at the factors that stacked up against him:
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- The Injury Bug: Just weeks before his release, BJ announced he had a torn rotator cuff and labrum. WWE usually keeps injured talent until they heal, but in this round of cuts, they made an exception.
- The Locker Room Vibe: Veteran coaches value respect. If you’re a rookie acting like a main-eventer before you’ve even had a televised match on NXT, people get annoyed. Fast.
- The Crowded Roster: With guys like Oba Femi and Trick Williams dominating the "big man" spots, there simply wasn't room for a developmental project with an attitude problem.
Analyzing the WWE Superstar BJ Ray Release Statement
In his lengthy post, Ray claimed he had "one of the greatest rookie runs of all time." It’s a bold claim for someone who never actually debuted on live NXT television. But he wasn't entirely wrong about the "SexyBJRay effect." He was getting swarmed at fan events and recognized in airports purely off the strength of his social media presence and his role on WWE: Next Gen and LFG.
He ended his statement with a quote from Conor McGregor: "I'd like to take this chance to apologize to absolutely nobody."
It’s classic BJ Ray. He isn't going away quietly. Within 48 hours of being let go, he was already tagging Tony Khan on X (formerly Twitter), calling himself "The Ratings Machine" and asking for a job at AEW. Honestly, the hustle is respectable, even if the ego is a bit much for some people to stomach.
What’s Next for the "West Coast Gangster"?
Right now, BJ Ray is in sabbatical mode, focused on rehab. He’s healing up from that shoulder surgery, and once he’s 100%, the independent circuit is likely going to be his playground. He has the "it" factor—that much is undeniable. Whether he can actually translate that into a 20-minute main event match remains to be seen.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Aspiring Wrestlers
- Character vs. Reality: BJ Ray’s story is a massive lesson in "locker room etiquette." In 2026, being a great "heel" on camera doesn't give you a pass to be a headache behind the scenes.
- The Power of Self-Promotion: Even without a TV match, Ray made himself a "name." If you’re an indie wrestler, look at how he used WWE LFG to build a following that survived his release.
- Watch the "Free Agency" Market: Keep an eye on TNA or the NWA. These promotions often value "personalities" over pure technical wrestling, making them a much better fit for someone like Ray than the strictly structured WWE system.
The wrestling world is full of "what ifs," and BJ Ray is the latest entry in that book. Whether he becomes a megastar elsewhere or fades into "whatever happened to that guy?" territory depends entirely on if he learns to play the game as well as he talks it.
Follow BJ Ray on X (@sexybjray) to see if Tony Khan actually picks up the phone.