Former WWE NXT star Elayna Black, who previously wrestled under the name Cora Jade, recently opened up about her post-WWE mindset and the best advice she received from CM Punk during an appearance on Insight with Chris Van Vliet.
Black credited Punk for helping her navigate the intense spotlight and criticism that comes with being in the wrestling business, especially as a young performer with a passionate fan base.
“I feel like he’s told me a lot of things, in very different situations,” she said. “But I feel like the number one thing is to just drown out what everyone else is saying… People are always going to say something. They’re going to love you or they’re going to hate you, and either way, it doesn’t matter… You just have to be you.”
She noted that Punk’s ability to stay true to himself despite being a polarizing figure inspired her greatly.
Black also spoke candidly about the toll of online negativity, specifically addressing criticism labeling her as “injury prone” during her time in WWE.
“When you come for me as a person and you start saying things that aren’t true, like the injury prone thing when you had no idea that I literally almost died, that’s where it’s like, f*** you,” she stated. “You just thought you can poke and poke… but I am a human being.”
“If you don’t like me as a wrestler, as a character, that’s fine. But when it crosses over into dehumanizing me, that’s where the line is.”
Now competing under her original ring name and looking to restart her career outside WWE, Black is determined to remain authentic and empowered by the lessons she’s learned—especially from someone like CM Punk, who has walked a similar path.
Stay tuned to PWMania.com for more on Elayna Black’s journey and the latest wrestling interviews and news.
