Kaylia Capri Finds New Momentum in Independent Wrestling After WWE Exit

Kaylia Capri, formerly known as Alexis Gray during her WWE stint, is making waves in the independent wrestling scene after her release from WWE in September 2023.

The former track and field athlete from Texas Southern University was recruited to the WWE Performance Center and had a promising three-year contract. However, her time in the company was cut short after just nine months.

Reflecting on her experience, Capri told Wrestling Republic, “Being there at WWE, I got to connect with coach Norman Smiley, connect with coach Robbie Brookside, coach Girard Oney Lorcan was my first coach. Coach Steve Corino was amazing, Ryan Katz. Meeting all these people, them giving me all these tips and tricks to the wrestling industry and slowly, very, very slowly, it was coming together. Me learning how to do promos and speak my mind and do things and just actually resonate with people. It was slowly coming together.”

Despite not having much time to showcase her skills on WWE TV, Capri felt validated by the outpouring of support from fans upon her departure.

“I got nine months out of my three-year contract so, when I did leave, the response was absolutely crazy. It was like everybody was so upset and I was proud of that… I really didn’t show anybody anything other than my outfits and my hairstyles and my personality on Instagram. So the fact that they just had that little and they were willing to ride or die for me, immediately, I instantly said, ‘This is something that I need to look into. I can’t stop, I can’t stop. Too many people right now are actually supporting me and really want me to do good. I can’t stop right now…’”

Capri has been focusing on building her profile in the independent circuit and is confident that it’s shaping her career in a meaningful way. She participated in Reality of Wrestling’s Sherri Martel Classic in September, solidifying her presence in the indie scene. With WWE’s recent launch of its indie wrestling development program, Capri believes her chances of returning are greater now than when she was a collegiate athlete.

“That’s literally what I’m saying. It’s just crazy to me how things — without you trying — without you having to do anything, things are always gonna work out how they’re supposed to work out and I feel like I have a greater chance, just like you said, at actually establishing myself in the company now that I’m an indie athlete, than when I was a college athlete,” Capri shared.

Her time on the independent circuit has connected her with wrestling veterans like Booker T. Capri revealed.

“I just spoke to Booker. I just talked to Booker. The same way I talk to y’all is how I talk to Booker T. I let him know what I wanna do, how I wanna do it and would I do it for real? And he is all on board because he sees how serious I am… To wake up and see that, I was like, is this fate? Is this fate telling it’s time to go back? Is this something telling me your opportunity is coming? Be prepared, be ready, be ready to fight.”

Capri is fueled by her faith and a strong belief in putting good energy into the world. She concluded,

“Take a chance on something that you have no idea about and see where it goes… As long as you being a good person and you putting great energy out into the world, you working extremely hard and you keeping that faith and you understanding that life is a fight and you ready to fight… if y’all see me signing a contract for the ID, just know, it was God’s plan.”

Whether or not she returns to WWE, Capri’s story serves as a powerful reminder that taking chances and embracing challenges can lead to unexpected opportunities and success.