Elayna Black has officially joined TNA Wrestling following her surprise debut on the premiere episode of Impact on AMC. The former NXT Superstar, known previously as Cora Jade, appeared on the broadcast this Thursday, marking her return to the ring after a significant sabbatical.
According to a new report from Fightful Select, this was not a one-off appearance; Black is now a full member of the company’s roster moving forward. The report indicates that she has put pen to paper on a one-year contract, a deal that will keep her with the promotion through 2026. Black’s arrival was one of the featured moments of TNA’s debut on their new network. She was introduced to the audience by Daria Rae, formerly known as Sonya Deville, who had been established as a new authority figure on TNA television just minutes prior.
The pairing suggests that Black will be positioned prominently in the Knockouts division right out of the gate, aligned with management as TNA looks to establish its new era on AMC. Black was released from her WWE contract in May of last year during a wave of cuts that affected talent across the main roster and NXT.
During her time in developmental, she found success as one-half of the NXT Women’s Tag Team Champions but ultimately parted ways with the sports entertainment giant. Following her release and the expiration of her non-compete clause, she briefly worked on the independent circuit before abruptly stepping away from the industry in July.
At the time of her hiatus, Black was open about her struggles and the need to prioritize her well-being over her career. She issued a statement explaining that the toll of the business had become too great.
“It’s no longer good for my mental health and I’ll never know if that love for it I once had will return if I don’t step away,” she said at the time. “I’m gonna take the rest of the year to take care of me and go from there.” Her return to TNA suggests that the time away provided the clarity and refreshment she needed to reignite her passion for wrestling.
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