Elayna Black (formerly Cora Jade) has spoken out about alleged body shaming she experienced during her time in WWE’s NXT system. In a candid interview on “The Ariel Helwani Show” following her recent WWE release, Black detailed “constant comments” about her physique and a specific instance where she was told her look would prevent her from becoming a champion.
“I came in at 19 years old, I was like, 110 pounds, like, I was so small, and it was just constant comments, whether it was from guys who think they’re being funny or…” Black stated, choosing not to name specific individuals beyond saying it wasn’t Shawn Michaels or Triple H, whom she praised. “I remember specifically being told that I wasn’t and wouldn’t be champion in that company because I looked like I couldn’t crack an egg.”
This criticism came despite her efforts in WWE’s strength and conditioning program, which she felt wasn’t tailored to her needs. “In my opinion, [strength and conditioning classes] are more geared towards, like, college athletes… It never felt like it was like doing anything from my body,” she explained. “So I’m like, ‘You guys are yelling at me for how I look, but you’re not really helping me out in the strength and conditioning that I need then.’ So then I would just go to my other gym… outside of [the Performance Center] afterwards.”
Black indicated these experiences created personal issues for her regarding her body image, especially at a young age. “I don’t think anyone, especially as another man, should be saying that to a female, yeah, like, especially as I was, like, so young, and it created, like, a lot of issues for me, body wise,” she shared.
Her comments were partly in response to online discourse, including a report she had reacted to on social media. “Seeing that, I was, like, if you only knew, like, what I dealt with and, like, how much I had to, like, progress because of those things, you know what I mean?” she said, expressing frustration with external judgments made without knowledge of her internal struggles and efforts. Despite these negative experiences, Black reiterated her overall love for her time in WWE, stating it was her dream and she achieved many goals.
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.
