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Author: John Bass
Cora Jade & Gigi Dolin Speak Out After WWE Releases, Push Back on “Lazy” Narrative
WWE’s latest wave of talent cuts has stirred up plenty of conversation—and two of the most talked-about names are firing back at behind-the-scenes claims surrounding their departures.
Gigi Dolin and Cora Jade, both of whom had been prominently featured on WWE NXT, were released this past Friday, just weeks after appearing at NXT Stand & Deliver in a kickoff four-way tag team elimination match. Their exits, alongside several other talents from both the main roster and NXT, came as part of another round of budget-related releases.
However, the narrative took a turn when Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer reported that some of those cut were believed to not be putting in enough effort during training, even citing the term “lazy” as being used internally. That didn’t sit well with either Dolin or Jade, who took to social media to push back.
Dolin, clearly frustrated, defended her commitment:
“When I wasn’t traveling for either of the two companies I worked for, I trained hard 3-4 days a week—bumping, doing cardio drills with one of the toughest coaches I’ve ever had. I worked out every day, did live events every other weekend. So yeah, I don’t wanna hear this lol. The way my body feels says otherwise.”
Jade, meanwhile, shared a more personal and troubling aspect of her WWE experience, revealing that she chose to train at her own gym after dealing with body shaming within the company:
“This, plus can’t forget having to go to my own gym after ‘strength and conditioning’ that wasn’t doing anything for me — other than getting me body shamed by my bosses, coworkers, and fans 🙂 crazy!”
Both Dolin and Jade signed with WWE in January 2021 and had become key players in the NXT women’s division. Dolin, as part of the Toxic Attraction faction, held the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championship twice, while Jade quickly emerged as one of the brand’s standout personalities and future prospects.
While neither has addressed their next move just yet, it’s clear that both women are leaving WWE with plenty still to say—and plenty still to prove.
With the women’s wrestling scene thriving across promotions like TNA, AEW, and STARDOM, could a new chapter be just around the corner for Dolin and Jade?
Darby Allin Sets Kickflip World Record During Mount Everest Climb
AEW’s resident daredevil Darby Allin has once again pushed the limits—this time, not in a wrestling ring, but on the slopes of Mount Everest.
Currently in the midst of a grueling climb up the world’s tallest mountain, Darby has already made history by landing a kickflip at a staggering 20,958 feet above sea level. The feat sets a world record for the highest elevation at which the move has ever been performed. Allin shared the moment on Instagram, showcasing both his signature skateboard and his unrelenting thirst for the extreme.
The climb began on April 8, with Darby joining an expedition team guided by Adventure Consultants. According to their official site, the group took a rest day at Everest Base Camp on May 3—no small feat, considering the base camp itself sits over 17,000 feet high.
While it’s unclear whether Darby will ultimately reach the summit, his commitment to pushing boundaries is already on full display. In typical Allin fashion, even an Everest expedition isn’t just about the destination—it’s about making a statement.
Known for his high-risk style in AEW, Darby has never shied away from danger. Whether diving off ladders or snowboarding through promos, the former TNT Champion blends athleticism with sheer fearlessness—and now, he’s taken that mindset to the roof of the world.
Stay tuned as Darby’s Everest journey continues. If he does make it to the summit, don’t be surprised if he finds a way to make history there, too.
You can watch Darby’s Instagram post below:
TNA Wrestling Appoints Two New Vice Presidents Amid Major Executive Shake-Up
TNA Wrestling continues to reshape its corporate structure, with the latest move seeing two longtime employees elevated to vice presidential roles. According to PWInsider, Eric Tompkins and Ross Forman have officially been named Vice Presidents, with the news reportedly shared with talent during a recent locker room meeting.
Tompkins, who has served as TNA’s Director of TV Production, and Forman, the company’s longtime Head of Media Relations, both bring decades of experience to their new positions. Forman in particular has been with TNA for over 20 years, making him one of the most tenured members of the promotion’s inner circle.
Their promotions come amid a larger executive overhaul that’s been underway for more than a year. Just this February, Carlos Silva was named TNA President following his previous appointment as President of Anthem Sports, TNA’s parent company, late last year. Silva replaced Anthony Cicione, who was among a group of high-level departures in recent months.
Other notable exits include Ariel Shnerer, Karen Clevett, Sebastian Dastrani, and Chief Revenue Officer Rob Klingman, all of whom left the company as part of what has been described as an ongoing restructuring effort. On the wrestling side, former in-ring talent turned producers and backstage figures—Gail Kim, Christy Hemme, and Josh Matthews—were also let go as part of this corporate realignment.
Despite the behind-the-scenes turnover, TNA appears to be gaining momentum. The promotion recently secured a television deal in Latin America, a move that reflects growing international ambitions under the new leadership regime.
With Tompkins and Forman now stepping into more prominent roles, it’s clear TNA is leaning on experienced insiders to help steer the company through its latest evolution. How their leadership shapes TNA’s creative and media strategies moving forward will be worth watching closely.
Harley Hudson Officially Signs with TNA Wrestling, Makes Long-Awaited Debut
After nearly two years of anticipation, British standout Harley Hudson has officially arrived in TNA Wrestling.
The 2023 Gut Check winner finally made her in-ring debut during the May 1–2 TV tapings in Irvine, California, following a long visa delay that kept her from stepping into a TNA ring. Hudson wrestled twice over the two-night stretch—first in singles action against Myla Grace, then teaming with Grace in tag competition—marking her long-awaited introduction to TNA fans.
Despite winning the developmental tryout competition back in 2023, visa complications prevented the 22-year-old from making her U.S. debut until now. According to Fightful Select, former TNA executive Gail Kim played a crucial role behind the scenes to get Hudson’s visa approved. Kim, who departed TNA in March, reportedly pushed for the company to fast-track the process, personally vouching for Hudson’s talent and potential.
Hudson has now signed a one-year deal with the promotion, making her the latest addition to an increasingly international and youthful Knockouts division. Starting her wrestling journey in 2017, Hudson has built her name across the UK indie circuit, collecting both singles and tag team gold along the way. Known for her scrappy energy and in-ring versatility, she brings a fresh presence to the TNA women’s roster.
Her signing follows a wave of recent Knockouts division reinforcements, including the additions of ex-WWE star Indi Hartwell, who joined the promotion after being let go by WWE last year and 24-year-old Maggie Lee, who debuted earlier this year and also wrestled at the recent California tapings.
As TNA continues to invest in fresh talent, Harley Hudson’s arrival feels like a long-overdue step forward—and potentially the start of something big.
Will Hudson live up to the hype that’s been building for the past two years? Time will tell, but she’s finally got her foot in the door.
Shotzi Set to Exit WWE as Contract Nears Expiration
It looks like the wild ride is coming to an end for Shotzi in WWE.
The fan-favorite Superstar, known for her punk rock energy and fearless in-ring style, is set to part ways with WWE once her current contract expires. Though no specific date has been confirmed, multiple reports have indicated that Shotzi was informed the company will not be renewing her deal.
Rumors began swirling earlier this week when Shotzi shared an emotionally-charged video on social media titled, “Whatever happens next, I’m ready for it. Stay ballsy my friends.” That message sparked immediate speculation among fans about her future with the company. While initial reports clarified she hadn’t been released at the time, her WWE.com profile quietly shifted to the Alumni section following a wave of roster cuts on Friday—seemingly confirming her impending departure.
Addressing her exit, Shotzi expressed gratitude to fans and the WWE Universe, saying:
“I am more than grateful for the wild ride! Can’t wait to see where this crazy journey takes me next! I hope to make all my believers proud.”
Shotzi’s journey in pro wrestling began in 2014, with an early attempt to break into WWE through Tough Enough in 2015. Though that opportunity didn’t pan out, she kept grinding on the independent scene, eventually earning her spot in WWE NXT in 2019. She captured gold in 2021 alongside Ember Moon (now known as Athena in ROH), winning the NXT Women’s Tag Team Titles for a 55-day reign that showcased her as a rising star in the women’s division.
After a stint on the main roster, Shotzi returned to NXT in 2023 and most recently aligned with Tatum Paxley and Gigi Dolin during what has now become her final run with the company.
Where she lands next is anyone’s guess, but given her charisma, unique style, and passionate fanbase, Shotzi’s story in wrestling is far from over.
Shotzi posted the following on X:
“I am about to dominate! Lets get busy! Shotzibooking@gmail.com”
Could we be seeing a Shotzi resurgence in another promotion soon? Stay tuned.
AEW Collision Preview 5/3/2025
AEW Collision live tonight on TBS and Max at 8pm ET. from the Adrian Phillips Theater at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
- AEW Women’s World Championship Eliminator Match: Toni Storm (c) vs. Lady Frost
- Megan Bayne vs. Harley Cameron
- Brody King vs. Josh Alexander
TNA Wrestling Bans Blading & Intentional Bleeding
In a major policy shift, TNA Wrestling has officially banned blading—putting an end to a 22-year tradition that often showcased the “Crimson Mask” as a gritty badge of honor in the company’s storytelling. The announcement, reported by PWInsider, was delivered to talent during a locker room meeting held on Friday, May 2.
The new directive outlaws the practice of intentional bleeding, marking the first time since TNA’s 2002 inception that the company has taken a firm stance against it. While accidents will still be understood as part of the risk of in-ring work, deliberate bloodletting—long a staple of hardcore bouts and personal feuds—will no longer be permitted.
Despite this, fans can still expect to see blood in the upcoming Dog Collar Match between International Champion Steve Maclin and Eric Young. That bout, which was taped on May 1 prior to the policy being enacted, is still set to air with its original content intact. However, it’s expected to be one of the last high-profile examples of blading in the promotion moving forward.
This change also comes after the recent very bloody Barbed Wire Massacre Match at TNA Unbreakable between Sami Callihan and Mance Warner
The change is being attributed to multiple factors. Health and safety were cited as top priorities in the decision, especially as concerns about infections and long-term damage continue to evolve in the wrestling world. In addition, TNA is reportedly making a concerted effort to appeal to a broader audience and maintain strong relationships with current and potential advertising partners—many of whom view excessive blood as a liability.
This move brings TNA in line with WWE’s long-standing approach. WWE famously banned blading in 2008 during the PG era, though there have been recent exceptions. Notably, Gunther busted open Jimmy Uso in a brutal match on SmackDown, suggesting that WWE may be more open to blood—albeit in a controlled, storyline-driven context.
For longtime TNA fans, this marks the end of an era that helped distinguish the promotion from its more sanitized mainstream counterpart. Still, it’s clear the company is prioritizing professionalism and growth as it continues to rebuild its brand under the revived TNA banner.
Do you think this policy change helps or hurts TNA’s product moving forward?
WWE Roster Shake-Up: Major Main Roster & NXT Releases
WWE made a wave of cuts on Friday, May 2, 2025, parting ways with a mix of established main roster talent and several rising stars from NXT. The release list includes some surprising names, prompting plenty of speculation about what’s next for the wrestlers involved.
Among the main roster talent released are Braun Strowman, Shayna Baszler, Dakota Kai, Kayden Carter, and Katana Chance. Over on the NXT side, the company has let go of Cora Jade, Jakara Jackson, Riley Osborne, Javier Bernal, Oro Mensah, Gigi Dolin, Eddy Thorpe, Dani Palmer and the faction Gallus. These cuts mark another significant roster shuffle for WWE, which seems to be refining its roster across all brands.
As is standard, the released main roster stars will be under 90-day non-compete clauses, while the NXT names are expected to serve 30-day non-compete periods. During that time, WWE will continue to pay the talent, giving them a window to evaluate their options and plan their next moves.
Fightful Select reports that Dakota Kai has already generated considerable interest from other promotions and talent agencies, and insiders expect her to have multiple opportunities ahead. Shayna Baszler’s departure, however, came as a shock to many within WWE. She had recently helped out at “NXT” and re-signed with the company in 2024, making her release one of the more unexpected moves in this round.
In NXT, some releases were more telegraphed. Jakara Jackson’s recent exit from the Meta-Four faction and separation from Lash Legend on this past Tuesday’s “NXT” all but signaled her impending departure. Oro Mensah may have fallen into a similar category.
Meanwhile, Cora Jade and Gigi Dolin wasted no time in re-establishing themselves on the independent scene. Both shared contact details on social media for upcoming bookings, and Jade has already reverted to her indie ring name, Elayna Black—a name she used during her early run on the independent circuit and brief AEW appearances back in 2019 and 2020.
WWE’s latest roster purge underscores the shifting priorities and evolving strategy of the company as it continues to shape its creative and business direction under the TKO banner. For many of these talented performers, this could be the start of a new chapter—whether in AEW, TNA, NJPW, or the growing indie scene.
WWE SmackDown Preview 5/2/2025
WWE SmackDown live tonight on USA Network and Netflix International, beginning at 8:00 pm ET. from the Wells Fargo Center in Des Moines, Iowa.
- Aleister Black vs. The Miz
- Randy Orton to appear
- There will probably be more on the WWE Women’s Championship situation with Tiffany Stratton and Nia Jax
- Are we headed toward a Fatal 4-Way for the United States Champion with Jacob Fatu (c), LA Knight, Drew McIntyre and Damian Priest
- Will Chelsea Green get a rematch against new Women’s United States Champion Zelina Vega
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