Following her WWE release in May 2025, Elayna Black (formerly Cora Jade) is charting a new course, with a packed independent wrestling schedule, a new OnlyFans account, and an open mind about potentially joining All Elite Wrestling. Speaking on “The Ariel Helwani Show,” Black discussed her departure from WWE, her 30-day non-compete clause which recently expired, and her proactive approach to this new chapter in her career.
Black revealed she had an intuition about her WWE release for months, stating she “kind of had a feeling” since November 2024. She received the official call just minutes after learning her friend Bea Priestley’s (Blair Davenport) husband had also been let go, with the reason given by WWE being “a company decision.” While acknowledging the initial shock, she views this as an opportunity: “I’m really excited to go and, like, do all the things that I haven’t been able to do in the past four years with the platform that I have now.”
Her NXT non-compete clause was 30 days, and Black has quickly filled her calendar. Her first match back is scheduled for June 14th at Black Label Pro, with subsequent bookings across the United States and her first international dates in Canada. “I just wanted to get right back on it, like I don’t have time to waste,” she said.
Addressing her newly launched OnlyFans account, which she confirmed went live on the day of the interview, Black had a direct message for those criticizing her decision. When asked by Helwani about any “crap” she’s received for it, Black stated:
“All I gotta say, like, it’s ridiculous, because it’s just crazy. It’s 2025, and people are still trying to tell women what they can do with their bodies. In my opinion, it’s ridiculous. And like, people can show what they want to show as their bodies, but it’s like…I feel like people are only mad because now they have to pay for it. Because if I was posting a bikini picture on Instagram a month ago for free, every guy on there is, like, happy about it, but now, if I’m not going to be posting that on Instagram, and now you’re going to go to my Onlyfans, now you’re mad because you have to pay for it, but you were going to do it anyways for free. You’re just mad that now I’m profiting off of it, and I’m still able to make other income other places, and still wrestle at the same time. So it’s like, what if you think that’s bad? Don’t subscribe. I’ve never been concerned with what other people are doing with their body and how they’re making their money.”
Regarding her full-time wrestling future, Black expressed a clear interest in All Elite Wrestling. “I would definitely be open to an AEW. I loved my time there [doing Dark matches before WWE]. I have a lot of friends there. I watch all the shows. I love the fact that they have as much creative freedom as they do,” she stated. “It’s definitely be something… My 30 days was just yesterday, so not yet [talked to them], but you never know.”
While also open to TNA in the future, she feels that right now, due to its current working relationship with WWE, she needs to “step away from all of that for that world for a second.” International opportunities, particularly in Japan with promotions like Stardom, also remain a significant goal she hopes to pursue.
Inspired by the post-WWE success of wrestlers like Matt Cardona and her best friend Chelsea Green, Black is determined to make this next phase of her career even better. “I just know that wherever I do end up, I want to make sure that it’s better than what I was before, and use this time to really blow up and make people be like, oh sh*t. Like, this is the better version of Elayna Black than we’ve ever seen.” She confirmed she is not closing the door on a WWE return in the future, stating she loved her time there despite some frustrations.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article please credit The Ariel Helwani Show with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
