Kai Kavari Departs WWE to Focus on Real Estate, Family

Kai Kavari’s run in WWE is over less than a year after it began. The Evolve talent, real name Cyrus Habibi-Likio, announced on Instagram that he has walked away from the company despite having signed a three-year contract back in November 2025.

Kavari, a former Boise State running back before transitioning to pro wrestling, said the choice to leave was difficult but necessary given where he is in his life. With a third child on the way and both sets of grandparents based in California, he said his family’s future pulled him back home.

“It was not an easy decision, but I had to make it,” Kavari said. “Most of you guys know I signed a three-year contract with WWE, but I’ve decided to step away.” He added that keeping his family rooted near aging grandparents mattered more than continuing his in-ring career at this stage.

Money played a role too. Kavari explained that trying to run his California-based real estate business while stationed in Florida for WWE became untenable, especially given the modest pay scale for talent early in their WWE tenure. “When you start in WWE, you don’t get paid the most,” he said. “Potentially, you can make bread. But me specifically, I’m not at a time in my life where I can live off potential.” He added that returning to real estate in California could bring him “main roster, main eventer-type money” without the grind of the road.

Faith factored into the decision as well. Kavari said the demands of being a full-time athlete made it difficult to stay connected to his church, and that stepping away gives him room to rebuild that relationship. He closed his announcement by thanking WWE and specifically shouting out Evolve head coach Robert “Coach” Bloom.

Kavari’s final in-ring appearance came in a dark match ahead of the June 2 episode of NXT, a loss to Harlem Lewis. His last televised match aired on the June 24 edition of WWE Evolve, a bout taped May 29 that saw him fall to Kale Dixon.

Kavari’s exit is a reminder of just how grueling the developmental grind can be, even for athletes with legitimate football pedigree and clear upside. WWE has increasingly leaned on former college and pro athletes to fill out its pipeline, but the transition isn’t for everyone, particularly those with young families and outside business interests already generating real income. Cases like this tend to fuel ongoing conversations about developmental pay and lifestyle sustainability for talent who haven’t yet reached the main roster.

It remains to be seen whether Kavari resurfaces on the independent scene or elsewhere down the line, but for now his focus is squarely on real estate, family, and faith back home in California.