The in-ring career of former TNA Knockouts World Champion Ash By Elegance may have come to an end. During a recent virtual signing appearance with Rich Degregorio, the woman formerly known as Dana Brooke in WWE referred to an item up for auction as “the shirt I retired in,” a comment that has fueled speculation about her future as an active competitor.
While she later stated “never say never” about a potential return to the ring, she confirmed that she is currently not medically cleared and has transitioned into a backstage role with TNA Wrestling. “30 dollars for this top. It is worn with me and Paige VanZant but also this is the shirt I retired in. 30 dollars, my retirement t-shirt,” she said during the signing. At the end of the virtual appearance, she offered an update on her status.
“Thanks for always tuning in and supporting me. I might not be in the ring but I’ll still be busy. TNA has opened their doors for me and allowed me to do things backstage, just not in the ring. Never say never so maybe one day again but until then, thank you guys so much.”
Ash By Elegance’s potential retirement comes after a turbulent period for the former champion. She vacated the TNA Knockouts World Championship at the TNA Victory Road event, with the on-screen explanation being that she was “no longer able to compete.” In a subsequent injury update, TNA stated that the details of her situation were being kept private.
Her comments during the virtual signing are the first time she has publicly addressed her status since that announcement. Before joining TNA, Ash By Elegance had a decade-long career in WWE as Dana Brooke. During her time with the company, she was a multiple-time 24/7 Champion and was a consistent presence in the women’s division on both Raw and SmackDown. After her WWE release, she reinvented herself in TNA as the glamorous and arrogant “Ash By Elegance,” a character that took her all the way to the top of the Knockouts division.
