Tag: Elayna Black

Former WWE Star Daria Rae (Sonya Deville) Debuts In TNA, Introduces WWE NXT Alum Elayna Black (Cora Jade)

TNA IMPACT’s first episode on AMC came with a major surprise, as Daria Rae — formerly known to WWE fans as Sonya Deville — made her long-awaited return to pro wrestling and instantly shook up the company’s leadership structure.

The segment opened with Director of Authority Santino Marella addressing the audience after footage aired of Arianna Grace turning on her father in favor of Channing “Stacks” Lorenzo. Marella emphasized that IMPACT’s move to a new network meant increased visibility, higher expectations, and new goals for the company. With that in mind, he revealed that TNA had brought in someone new to help guide the promotion into this next era.

That person turned out to be Daria Rae.

Rae made her entrance to a strong reaction and initially echoed Marella’s comments, explaining that she had been closely watching TNA and was impressed with its potential. However, the tone of her promo quickly shifted. Rae dismissed Marella as a non-factor, openly mocking him and claiming even his own daughter wanted nothing to do with him. She bluntly told Marella that TNA didn’t need him and warned him to stay out of her way moving forward.

With authority already established, Rae revealed her first major move: a new signing to the Knockouts division.

That announcement brought out Elayna Black, formerly WWE NXT standout Cora Jade, who officially made her TNA debut. The moment marked a significant reset for Black, who had been released by WWE in May after a four-year run and had briefly returned to the independent scene before stepping away from wrestling last summer.

Rae’s appearance was just as notable. After spending a decade with WWE, she departed the company in February and later announced her retirement from wrestling in July. Her arrival in TNA not only signals a return to the industry but also places her in a position of power from day one.

Between Rae’s surprising role and Black’s addition to the Knockouts roster, TNA wasted no time making a statement on its AMC premiere. The company’s new era is clearly focused on bold changes — and this opening segment made it clear that more shake-ups could be right around the corner.

Cora Jade (Elayna Black) Announces Hiatus from Wrestling to Focus on Mental Health

Another young star is stepping away from the ring — at least for now.

Former NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion Elayna Black, known to WWE fans as Cora Jade, has announced she’s taking an extended break from professional wrestling. In a heartfelt message shared on social media, Black opened up about the importance of prioritizing her mental health, telling fans she plans to take the rest of the year off to “take care of me and go from there.”

Black also apologized to both fans and promoters, acknowledging that her decision means stepping away from previously scheduled bookings. “I’m sorry to anyone I’ve let down, but this is something I need right now,” she wrote.

Before this announcement, Black had remained active on the independent scene following her time with WWE, most recently teaming with Brooke Havoc to face off against The IINspiration (Cassie Lee and Jessica McKay) at Prestige Wrestling’s Combat Clash on July 13.

While there’s no timetable for her return, the wrestling world has shown overwhelming support for Black’s decision, echoing a growing trend of talent putting personal well-being first. It’s a reminder that even in a business built on larger-than-life personas, mental health matters.

We wish Elayna Black the very best during her time away and look forward to seeing what the future holds for her — both inside and outside the ring.

Elayna Black (Cora Jade) Opens Up About Life After WWE, Talks Possible AEW Future and Surviving a Near-Fatal Medical Emergency

After her WWE release, former NXT star Cora Jade (now back to wrestling under her indie name, Elayna Black) is finally speaking out about her time away from the ring—and what could be next for her career. In a candid appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, Jade touched on everything from a brush with death in 2023 to her openness about potentially joining AEW full-time.

AEW Before WWE: A Path Not Taken… Yet

Long before she stepped into the NXT ring, Jade actually had a brief stint in AEW, working a pair of matches on the now-defunct AEW Dark in 2020. At the time, she believed that’s where her career was headed.

“I thought I was going to end up in AEW,” Jade admitted. “I loved it there. I did a few matches and just felt like that was the place for me. Then WWE came in with an offer before AEW did, so I went with that.”

Still, the door to AEW remains very much open—and it sounds like she’s hoping to walk through it soon. Jade praised the promotion’s commitment to creativity and storytelling, two elements she feels are critical to her as a performer.

“I would definitely be open to going to AEW,” she said. “I love how much creative freedom they give. I’m really into character work and stories, and they let people explore that.”

Jade also expressed some interest in wrestling for TNA and even heading to Japan—goals that were delayed by the pandemic but remain on her radar.

A Life-Threatening Emergency That Nearly Took Her Out

One of the more shocking revelations from the interview came when Jade detailed the real reason she was pulled from NXT television ahead of Stand and Deliver in early 2023. She suffered an ectopic pregnancy that nearly cost her her life.

“I ended up in emergency surgery the night before I was supposed to wrestle Lyra Valkyria,” she said. “The pregnancy ruptured, and I was internally bleeding. If I hadn’t gone to the hospital, I probably would’ve died.”

Doctors had to remove her left fallopian tube, and while the surgery saved her life, the mental and emotional aftermath pushed her to the brink.

“I was just the most mentally depressed I’ve ever been in my life,” Jade shared. “I didn’t even know what was wrong at first. I later found out it was postpartum depression. I was only 22 or 23, and it was the craziest thing I’ve ever experienced.”

Though she returned to action shortly after Stand and Deliver, the psychological toll lingered. Jade eventually reached out to WWE medical staff for mental health support, a move she says was crucial to her recovery.

Ready for a New Chapter as Elayna Black

Jade’s road didn’t get any easier after that. A major knee injury, a difficult breakup, and the passing of her dog all came in quick succession. Yet through it all, she’s remained resilient and focused on her next chapter—this time, on her own terms.

Now performing again as Elayna Black, she’s made it clear that her time in wrestling is far from over. Whether it’s AEW, TNA, Japan, or the indies, she’s ready to show the world what she’s truly capable of.

“I just want to be somewhere I can be creatively fulfilled,” she said. “I’ve been through hell and back, but I’m still here—and I’ve never been more motivated.”

Wrestling fans, keep your eyes on Elayna Black—her story is still being written, and the next chapter might just be her most compelling yet.