Shotzi Blackheart, a former WWE performer, recently discussed her release from the company and her future plans during an appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show on June 10. Having just begun working with independent wrestling promotions again after recovering from a serious knee injury, Blackheart addressed how Tony Khan’s reputation attracts Shotzi Blackheart to AEW, citing both creative freedom and positive word-of-mouth from peers.
Earlier this year, WWE chose not to renew Blackheart’s contract. She, along with Daria Sonya Deville Berenato and Elayna Cora Jade Black, was among a group of women who returned from ACL injuries shortly before their contracts ended. The setback came as Blackheart was returning to NXT following months of recovery from surgery performed in February and marked an uncertain period in her career when she feared professional stagnation.
Reflections on Leaving WWE and Career Setbacks
Blackheart shared candid insights on how injuries and sporadic use on WWE’s main roster contributed to doubts about her future. She spent extended periods working non-televised house shows with few appearances on television, leading to uncertainty about her role and value to the company.
“When you’re going through such a huge injury like that that puts you out for almost a year, you start getting in your head a little because you’re stuck at home. You’re still in rehab and thinking like, ‘Oh man, what if they’re not gonna use me when I get back? Like, what if it’s it for me?’ You try to stay positive and you hope that, ‘Well, if I work really hard and come back even better, maybe I’ll get rewarded for coming back from such an intense injury.’ But unfortunately for me, I was let go.”
—Shotzi Blackheart, Former WWE Wrestler
During her main roster tenure, elements of Blackheart’s popular NXT persona—such as her mini-tank and distinct entrance—were discarded under Vince McMahon’s direction. Blackheart explained that while Triple H supported her signature act, McMahon believed it distracted from her identity.
“… when I got to the main roster, Vince was not on the same page [as Triple H, who’d loved her tank, helmet, and howling in NXT]. No, he didn’t like it. But you know what? I was ready for the change and I totally understood where he was coming from. He was just like, ‘Look, you got so much going on. You got the green hair and all the tattoos. You’re really, really cool-looking and then you muddy it up with the helmet, the tank and the howl. I just wanna know who Shotzi is.’ He wanted me to be more real.”
—Shotzi Blackheart, Former WWE Wrestler
Despite her willingness to embrace change, more television exposure never materialized, which impacted her confidence and job satisfaction.
“Yeah. You start to when you’re not being used. I haven’t really done much in the last year and a half. So it’s hard on your confidence, for sure.”
—Shotzi Blackheart, Former WWE Wrestler
Blackheart does not have a clear answer as to why WWE let her go, but accepts it as part of the entertainment industry’s realities.
“I probably will never know why they released me, but WWE doesn’t owe me anything. That’s showbiz, right? They just didn’t think that I was money and that’s OK. I can take that.”
—Shotzi Blackheart, Former WWE Wrestler
Renewed Passion on the Independent Circuit
Since leaving WWE, Blackheart has resumed performing at independent shows, where she claims to be earning more on select weekends than she did with WWE in a week. Her debut appearance at GCW’s Tournament of Survival X in Atlantic City marked a breakthrough, allowing her to participate in an intergender hardcore Triple Threat match—an experience far removed from her previous work environment and one that helped her regain confidence.
“Obviously, it being my first match back to the indies, it makes it real that I’m not with WWE anymore, so it’s bittersweet. But once I made my entrance and that crowd went insane, and I just got to have a match that was stress free and just wild and balls to the wall. No one was telling me, ‘No, you cannot use glass’ or ‘No, you cannot do that crazy thing.’ It was a lot of fun and really helped with my confidence, already.”
—Shotzi Blackheart, Former WWE Wrestler
Pondering the Future: Possibilities with AEW and TNA
Blackheart remains open to a WWE return under the condition that she is actively involved, but she has her sights set on a new full-time contract and is most enthusiastic about All Elite Wrestling. She highlighted AEW’s creative openness and the positive treatment of talent by Tony Khan as major factors in her preference—attributes she heard about from friends currently on the AEW roster.
“I would love to be back at WWE. I loved working there. I didn’t love not working there, you know what I’m saying? It was only when I wasn’t being used that I was unhappy. But anytime I was being used, good time. Loved the locker room, loved everyone I was working for.”
—Shotzi Blackheart, Former WWE Wrestler
Her decision is rooted in seeking opportunities where she can thrive, rather than simply securing a contract based on past affiliation with WWE.
“I love their freedom. I have a lot of friends there who are doing really awesome things. I’ve heard many stories of how Tony treats talent. So yeah, I do love that he really cares for his talent. That is super important to me. And like, hot girls get to make out with each other [laughs].”
—Shotzi Blackheart, Former WWE Wrestler
Potential Matches and Setting Goals on the Indies
Looking ahead, Blackheart has expressed interest in competing against high-profile stars in AEW and Ring of Honor. She wants to face her former partner and current Ring of Honor Women’s Champion Athena, Mercedes Moné, and the reigning AEW Women’s World Champion. She praised Athena as among the finest in women’s wrestling and is motivated by the prospect of strong competition and engaging promos from established talents.
She also emphasized the importance of proving her value through performance rather than relying on reputation alone.
“I wouldn’t want to go to AEW just because I was signed to WWE and I expect them to sign me. I wanna earn my spot. That’s why I wanna just kill it on the indies and if they really love what I’m doing for the rest of the year, I’m game.”
—Shotzi Blackheart, Former WWE Wrestler
Her current independent schedule includes a return to GCW on June 20 and a debut for Maple Leaf Pro on July 5. Blackheart also mentioned a quirky postscript—WWE has said they will return her mini-tank, a memento from her NXT run, and she’s even offered to buy it back.
What Tony Khan’s Leadership Means to Shotzi and the Industry
Shotzi Blackheart’s comments shine a spotlight on the shifting landscape in professional wrestling as talent prioritize creative fulfillment, respect, and autonomy. The reputation of Tony Khan as a caring promoter has become a magnet for wrestlers like Blackheart who want to express themselves fully and thrive. With her independent bookings increasing and her confidence restored, Blackheart’s journey is emblematic of performers searching for the right environment to shine. Her story serves as an example of recent trends: major names looking for freedom, prominent organizations like AEW and TNA seeking to attract high-caliber talent, and audiences eager to witness what unfolds when wrestlers pursue opportunities on their own terms.
