Tag: Elayna Black

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.