Elayna Black has opened up about signing with TNA, revealing what influenced her decision and why she feels the promotion offers significantly more creative freedom compared to her time in WWE, where she often felt the creative process was forced.
Speaking on the Battleground Podcast, when asked about the deciding factor that led her to make TNA her new home, Elayna explained:
“Yeah, at first I really didn’t want to go anywhere. I just kinda wanted to see how it was and ride out the wave and see where I ended up. I wasn’t in a rush to get anywhere. And then I ended up taking a break just because I needed it mentally. And then when I came back, I was just thinking about where I would want to end up and what my goal was. I just remembered when I was at TNA last year while I was still with NXT and came over to work a few shows. I remembered how good the backstage environment was and how much of an actual family it felt like. Everyone was actually rooting for each other. It also felt very creatively free. They genuinely listened to my opinion, wanted to hear my input, and wanted to listen to my ideas even back then. So keeping all that in mind and realizing that, plus I have friends there, I kind of thought, ‘You know what, let’s give it a shot.’ I think I would have fun at TNA. I think TNA would be the spot that would make me fall back in love with wrestling, which is what I was looking to regain. And I think it has accomplished that, so I’m very glad I chose TNA.”
When asked about the mental shift that made her feel going to TNA was the right move (especially since she was previously hesitant due to the company’s partnership with WWE), she added:
“I think the first thing is time. I didn’t want to be anywhere near there. I wanted to do my own thing a little bit, so it kind of felt a little too close. But after some time and just realizing what would be best for me, TNA did seem like the best option. They are very good with whatever I want to do. They want to know my opinion on if I want to do this or that. So I think it just all works out how it should. With time, it just seemed like TNA was going to be the best place for me.”
Later in the interview, when asked what felt forced to her during her previous run (before returning as Elayna Black), she stated:
“I don’t know if there was anything specific. It’s just when there’s constant ‘No, you have to do this this way. You have to say it this way. You have to say these words. You have to do it this way. You have to do these moves because I’m telling you to do these moves.’ Like, a lot of ‘do this, do this, do this.’ Sometimes it’s okay, but nine times out of ten, it’s not something that resonated with me or the way I felt I should say something or the way I felt I would do something. In TNA, you don’t have that. We have guidance, for sure, and people we can go to for help and opinions, but it’s more creatively free. It’s kind of my own interpretation of what my character is and how my character would say this and how my character would do this. That’s a difference that I really appreciate, and I’m having fun navigating it.”
It’s clear that Elayna Black is thoroughly enjoying her time in TNA, and that’s what matters most right now. Whether fans will ever see her return to WWE as Cora Jade again, only time will tell.
Source Credit: Battleground Podcast
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