WWE went on a run of seemingly letting go of wrestlers it didn't necessarily want to leave by letting their contracts expire. Bryan Danielson, Adam Cole, and Johnny Gargano all allowed their deals to run out despite being asked to stay by WWE in 2021. That trend appears to have continued into 2022 as now Candice LeRae's contract has expired.
Candice LeRae Is A Free Agent
That's according to Fightful Select which reported this morning that LeRae's deal has expired. That means the former NXT Women's Tag Team Champion is now a free agent and can feasibly show up absolutely anywhere she likes starting right now. Since she gave birth two months ago, don't expect her to show up on Rampage tonight. Especially since the show was taped ahead of time.
Basically, even though LeRae is now free to wrestle wherever she likes, it will probably be a while before she competes again. Then again, Ronda Rousey returned to the ring just four months after giving birth, so maybe we won't have to wait as long for more LeRae as you might think. Regardless of how long it is until she wrestles again, speculation can now begin on where she will compete next.
No Extension Discussed
Even though LeRae has been under contract with WWE until now, her status with the company has sort of been up in the air ever since her husband Gargano decided to leave. It was also reported this year that, unlike Gargano, WWE hasn't been trying to negotiate a new deal with LeRae. Not necessarily because she's no longer wanted in NXT, but because she was pregnant and then had a newborn to look after.
That plus the way Gargano departed NXT suggest the couple could both return to NXT whenever they decide they want to return to the ring. Gargano's on-screen goodbye was interrupted by Grayson Waller who attacked him with a steel chair. That seemingly sets up a return angle for Gargano should he want to come back. The door is presumably open for LeRae too who was only off TV to have her baby.