Elayna Black, formerly known as Cora Jade in WWE’s NXT, has landed in Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling, marking a significant move for one of the most talked-about free agents in professional wrestling. After her departure from WWE in 2025, Black explored the independent circuit, making appearances in promotions like Atomic Legacy Wrestling, Black Label Pro, and Game Changer Wrestling. However, TNA held a special allure for her, stemming from a childhood fascination with the company’s programming and its stars.
Childhood Dreams and Wrestling Idols
Black revealed that her journey into wrestling fandom began with TNA, particularly during the era of Jeff Hardy’s tenure with the company. “At the time I started watching TNA, Jeff Hardy was in the company,” Black shared. “So, I was a huge Jeff Hardy fan.” She explained that her initial exposure to wrestling was through WWE, but discovering TNA opened up a new world of possibilities, especially as she navigated her own burgeoning “emo phase.” The distinctive black nail polish and the allure of Hardy’s persona resonated deeply with her.
However, her ultimate wrestling idols were the iconic female faction, The Beautiful People. Consisting of Angelina Love, Velvet Sky, and Madison Rayne, the trio represented everything Black aspired to be. “They were like my gods,” she exclaimed. “You could not tell me anything. I was going to be The Beautiful People. I was going to be in The Beautiful People.” Her dedication was evident even in her childhood; her first flip phone, a pink device from fifth grade, featured The Beautiful People’s theme song as its ringtone. In a testament to her childhood ambition, she even emailed TNA at the age of 12, attempting to persuade them to make her the youngest member of the group. While that childhood plea went unanswered, she now entertains the possibility of a future collaboration, perhaps even having them walk her to the ring.
A Deliberate Career Path
Black officially joined the TNA main roster in January, a decision that followed a period of introspection and a need to prioritize her well-being. “I think for a while I didn’t really want to sign anywhere,” she admitted. While she always intended to return to wrestling, her immediate goal was to prove her capabilities independently. This desire stemmed partly from a need to step away from the WWE spotlight and establish her own identity.
The wrestling world, which she entered at 15 by dropping out of high school, had been her life for a decade. At 25, she recognized the necessity of a break, especially after experiencing the emotional toll of “losing everything” she had worked for. “Growing up in wrestling is also kind of difficult,” she reflected. “So just taking the time for the first time really… to just kind of sit back and reflect… was probably the best thing I could have done.” This period of reflection allowed her to carefully consider her next career move.
Hesitation and the TNA Environment
Initially, TNA’s partnership with WWE gave Black pause. Having just concluded her time with WWE, she felt a strong inclination to forge a path entirely separate from the Stamford-based promotion. “At first, I was a bit hesitant with TNA just because of the WWE partnership,” she explained. “And that’s nothing against WWE at all. I loved my time there, but that that goes back to me saying I wanted to prove myself somewhere else and I kind of wanted to be as far away from WWE as possible at the time just to prove who I was without them.”
However, upon deeper consideration, TNA emerged as the most appealing option. She was drawn to the company’s environment and the opportunity it presented for creative freedom and personal growth. “At the end of the day, it seemed like TNA had the best environment,” she stated. “I wanted to help bring TNA to the forefront and help TNA grow.” Black acknowledged the significant efforts that led to TNA’s recent AMC deal, emphasizing that her arrival was built upon years of hard work by others. She values the company’s openness to creative input, a stark contrast to the more structured environment she experienced previously.
Championing Women’s Wrestling
Black is particularly impressed with TNA’s commitment to its Knockouts Division, viewing it as a pioneering force in women’s professional wrestling. She believes TNA has consistently elevated women’s wrestling, moving beyond outdated concepts and providing a platform for compelling athletic competition. “I love the locker room, I think TNA has a great locker room environment in the in the women’s division,” she said. “Not only that, but the women put on one hell of a performance every single time.”
She feels TNA deserves more recognition for its early efforts in showcasing female talent. “I think TNA was doing stuff that other companies weren’t doing with women for a long time in the beginning,” Black noted. “I remember watching TNA as a kid and even noticing that I was like, I want to do what the Knockouts are doing. They get to do way cooler stuff and everything like that.” This emphasis on empowering female wrestlers and fostering a supportive, creatively stimulating atmosphere makes TNA a destination she believes any aspiring women’s wrestler would desire.
Currently, Elayna Black is positioned as a strong contender for the TNA Knockouts World Championship, regularly appearing on the weekly show “Impact” on AMC.
