In June 2025, Cora Jade starts OnlyFans after WWE release, immediately drawing intense backlash from fans as she shifts her career path. The independent wrestler launched her subscription platform weeks after parting ways with WWE, confronting critics while expressing determination to achieve success similar to Mandy Rose.
Cora Jade breaks silence on her career move
Just hours after announcing her OnlyFans account, Cora Jade appeared on an episode of Ariel Helwani’s show to discuss the motivations behind her decision. She revealed that she had anticipated her WWE exit months before it became official, sensing in November that her time with the company was coming to an end. The former NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion, now competing as Elayna Black on the independent wrestling circuit, saw her release in May 2025 as an opportunity to pursue long-delayed personal and professional goals.
Reflecting on her transition away from the WWE, Cora Jade stated,
“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.”
—Cora Jade, Wrestler. She described the months since her departure as liberating, aiming to use her newfound freedom to explore different platforms and maximize her reach.
After fulfilling her 30-day non-compete clause, Jade set her sights on returning to wrestling but is currently focused on independent events, with hopes of joining AEW in the future. When addressing criticism about joining OnlyFans, Jade remained defiant, telling fans,
“I feel like everyone has something to say about those types of things, but it’s like now I can do what I want.”
—Cora Jade, Wrestler. She pointed out the double standards often imposed on women in sports, especially around monetizing their image and content.
During her conversation with Helwani, Jade questioned why her followers accepted her social media posts but objected when she decided to profit from similar content. She argued,
“It’s 2025, and people are still trying to tell women what they can do with their bodies. If I was posting a bikini picture on Instagram a month ago, everyone was happy about it. Now that I’m profiting off it, suddenly it’s a problem? Don’t like it? Don’t subscribe.”
—Cora Jade, Wrestler.
Determined to prove herself after WWE
Cora Jade has made it clear she is determined to overcome her WWE release and create a more successful career for herself. She underscored her drive by declaring,
“I just know that wherever I do end up, I want to make sure that it’s better than what I was before… and make people be like, oh sh*t.”
—Cora Jade, Wrestler. Jade, having previously held the NXT Women’s Tag Team title alongside Roxanne Perez, now seeks to validate her choices, regardless of the criticism she faces online.
The response from the wrestling community has been mixed, with some supporting her decision to control her career and image, while others continue to voice their disapproval, echoing the backlash seen by female wrestlers who monetize their personas through alternative avenues.
Other WWE stars have taken a similar route
Cora Jade is not the first wrestler to face backlash for using platforms like OnlyFans to generate income after exiting WWE. Mandy Rose gained widespread notice after being released from WWE despite her lengthy 413-day reign as NXT Women’s Champion. Rose’s subsequent venture into adult-themed subscription content allowed her to earn close to $1 million per month, highlighting the significant financial incentives that motivate talent to branch out after their tenure with the company comes to an end.
Chelsea Green’s journey mirrored Jade’s in several aspects. After she was cut due to budget constraints, Green briefly joined OnlyFans before shutting down her account with the prospect of returning to WWE. Similarly, Zelina Vega operated under the pseudonym Megan the Minx but was suspended by WWE for breaching company policy regarding third-party platforms. Vega ultimately returned to WWE in July 2021 following her release.
Scarlett Bordeaux lost her WWE contract as part of a wave of COVID-19 budget cuts and subsequently launched her OnlyFans account, which priced access at $20 monthly. Other notable figures in the wrestling community, including Toni Storm, Paige VanZant, Cheerleader Melissa, and Allysin Kay, have used the platform either during or following their own wrestling careers.
Implications and the ongoing debate in wrestling
The increasing number of female wrestlers turning to OnlyFans following WWE releases has amplified debate around autonomy, the double standards women face, and the evolving dynamics of athlete branding. As more performers, such as Cora Jade, confront negativity while pursuing financial independence, the wrestling industry continues to grapple with issues of image rights and control over personal content.
Cora Jade’s actions, alongside those of her peers like Mandy Rose and Zelina Vega, underscore the persistent frustration many feel regarding the scrutiny and expectations imposed by fans and organizations alike. With the ongoing shift toward digital platforms for personal branding, these choices are reshaping what it means to find success after leaving WWE, despite the backlash and sadness involved in departing from a lifelong dream in the ring.
