Shotzi Blackheart didn’t need much convincing when TNA came calling because becoming a Knockout was something she’d wanted years before WWE ever entered the picture. Now that she’s finally signed with the company, Shotzi says the timing feels right and she’s ready to bring some much-needed “ballsiness” to the Knockouts Division.
Speaking on Busted Open Radio, Shotzi opened up about why she signed with TNA after making her return earlier this month. As it turns out, this wasn’t some idea that suddenly popped up after her WWE run ended.
Shotzi actually wrestled a couple of matches for TNA back in 2018 and 2019, and even then, she was hoping it would eventually lead to her becoming part of the Knockouts Division. It didn’t happen at the time, but several years later, she finally got what she wanted.
“Oh, it has been a long time coming! You know, I had like a couple of matches back in like 2018–19 with TNA, hoping I would become a Knockout then, and I’m finally here, and it feels good! It was the right time.”
There’s another big reason TNA appealed to Shotzi, and it goes beyond simply having another place to wrestle. She wants actual stories to sink her teeth into, and that’s always been her favorite part of professional wrestling.
Fans already got a taste of where things could be heading when Shotzi crossed paths with Rosemary and Allie. She’s not giving away exactly what’s coming, but she’s clearly excited about getting weird with those two on television.
“Yes, that’s what really excites me because that’s my favorite part of pro wrestling — the storytelling and, you know, like how wild the stories get. So, I mean, if you saw the last episode of TNA, I have a little bond with Rosemary and Allie.”
For Shotzi, that’s exactly the kind of stuff she wants to spend more time doing. She’s looking forward to having fun with her character rather than simply bouncing from match to match.
“So yeah, I’m excited to see where that goes on TV, and I’m looking forward to having a lot of fun and focusing on a storyline.”
Shotzi also isn’t shy about how highly she rates TNA’s women’s division. She believes the Knockouts have always had something a little different from every other women’s roster in wrestling, especially when it comes to embracing darker characters and letting things get wild.
“I’ve always said the Knockouts division has that extra spice that no women’s division has ever been able to replicate. And, you know, they’ve got their darkness and girls doing wild stuff on TV every week.”
That’s also where Shotzi believes she can bring something TNA doesn’t currently have. In her eyes, nobody in the division is quite doing what she does, and she plans on filling that hole herself.
“But yeah, I feel like nobody like me is on there right now, and I want to bring that ballsiness to the Knockouts division.”
TNA officially announced Shotzi’s signing on October 19, ending any speculation that her recent appearances were simply a short-term deal. She had already made her presence felt after returning to the company earlier this month, but now she’s sticking around for whatever comes next.
The interesting part is that Shotzi isn’t treating TNA like somewhere she simply landed after WWE. Becoming a Knockout was already on her radar back in 2018 and 2019, and now she’s finally getting the chance to do it with years more experience and a character that fits right into TNA’s stranger side.
What do you think about Shotzi Blackheart wanting to bring more “ballsiness” to TNA’s Knockouts Division? Let us know in the comments below.
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