Elayna Black is thriving in TNA Wrestling, and she isn’t shy about explaining why the company has become such an important part of her career revival.
During a recent appearance on the Hitting The Turnbuckle Podcast, the former WWE star reflected on the path that led her to TNA following her release. After taking time away from wrestling, Black admitted she needed a reset both mentally and professionally before deciding where she wanted her career to go next.
That time away ultimately made her realize just how much she missed wrestling, and she believes TNA has given her the perfect environment to rediscover her passion for the business. While discussing her experience so far, Black spoke glowingly about the company’s atmosphere, creative freedom, and support from management.
“It’s been great. You know, I took a break from wrestling for a little bit, which was much needed, you know, just for some mental clarity and everything like that. And I’m so glad I did because I missed wrestling so much and it gave me some time to, you know, think about where where I wanted to be, where I wanted to end up. And I’m so glad I ended up at TNA cuz I’ve had so much fun. I love it. I love the people there, the environment there, like the creative freedom I have and the ability to just feel confident when I go out there because I know what I’m what I’m about to go do is what I want to do and who I feel Elena Black is and everything like that and just having the approval and the having knowing that the bosses have confidence in you and everything like that is is so nice and you know I have so many friends there you know it’s it’s it’s great you know I have no no complaints I love TNA.”
Black also pointed to several former WWE talents who have found new life in TNA, including Ash By Elegance, AJ Francis, and Mara Sadé. According to her, the company has become a place where wrestlers can grow, evolve, and prove themselves after facing setbacks elsewhere. She explained that many released wrestlers develop a renewed sense of determination and use that motivation to become better performers.
“100%. And I think, you know, those are two great examples. I think those are Ash and you know AJ are two people who maybe didn’t get their props in WWE per se or you know maybe people didn’t notice back then or everything like that and I think they got time to evolve and really find themselves in TNA and you know become who they are now and they’re two stars now and I think people see that now and I think you know Mara Shott is another one I think she’s really come into her own and it’s been so nice to see she’s another one of my friends and it’s been you know we got let go at the same time and it was I know it was hard for both of us and she she didn’t take a break she went straight to TNA and she’s been killing it and it’s so good to see but those are just three examples you know there’s so many people who who get let go and they end up be going to TNA or somewhere else or you know just stay on the indies wherever they end up and they end up really finding themselves and I don’t know what it is if maybe it’s having a chip on your shoulder you know I I’ve kind of felt that you know you get a chip on your shoulder and you realize you know I have to prove myself and I’m going to evolve and I’m going to do everything I can to become the best version of me. And I think, you know, TNA brings that out of a lot of people. And I think I feel that as well. And I think I’m very happy to be a part of that and be a part of the people who end up growing and becoming, you know, way more than they ever thought that they could be. And I think that TNA is a really good place to be able to do that.”
One of Black’s strongest comments came when discussing the atmosphere inside the TNA locker room. She credited the roster’s independent wrestling roots for creating a highly competitive environment where everyone is pushing each other to improve every time they step through the curtain. Black said that shared passion for professional wrestling is something that separates TNA from many other locker rooms.
“I just think there’s it’s just a different vibe when you mostly, you know, everyone that’s at TNA came from the indies, you know, like the ones especially that just haven’t been at WWE yet and, you know, TNA is their first stop. Like a lot of people, this is this was their dream. Everyone, a lot of people are just they were wrestling fans and they wanted to make it and they’re living their dreams. And I think there’s just a I don’t know if it’s a vibe or just a common understanding and kind of general idea that you know we all wanted the exact same thing. We’re all on the exact same journey. We all love this. We all want to be the best and we all want to outwork each other every single night. Like we want to be better than I want to be better than the match that was on before me and I want them to try to be better than me. And I think that’s a common theme in TNA and it’s we all just have this common understanding kind of an unspoken understanding that we all want the same thing and we all worked for this and we all love wrestling and I think that’s a very special thing.”
Black has wasted little time establishing herself as a serious player in TNA’s Knockouts division, and her latest comments make it clear she believes she’s exactly where she needs to be. Between the creative freedom, locker room culture, and opportunities available to talent looking to reinvent themselves, she sees TNA as a place where careers can take off in a major way.
What do you think about Elayna Black’s comments regarding TNA’s locker room culture and creative freedom? Do you agree that TNA has become one of wrestling’s best destinations for talent looking for a fresh start? Let us know in the comments and share your thoughts.
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