Shotzi Blackheart has addressed the reaction to her recent comments about WWE denying her request to work with TNA Wrestling, explaining that her remarks were not intended as criticism of her former employer.
The recently signed TNA star discussed the situation during an appearance on the Generation of Wrestling podcast, revealing that she had attempted to secure a run with TNA while still under WWE contract following her recovery from a torn ACL in 2024.
Blackheart explained that she had been in contact with Tommy Dreamer, who was interested in bringing her into the promotion, but WWE ultimately did not approve the arrangement.
“I was trying, I was kind of talking to TNA when I was still signed with WWE. When I had just gotten back from my ACL surgery, I was really hungry to get in the ring and I was begging WWE to let me have a run with TNA. I was talking to Tommy Dreamer for a little bit and he was totally down, but for some reason I wasn’t allowed to,” Blackheart said.
Her comments subsequently generated speculation about WWE’s reasoning for declining the request, prompting Blackheart to issue a clarification on social media on Wednesday, October 28.
According to Blackheart, she was already working in NXT at the time and was also being considered for a potential SmackDown storyline. She explained that managing commitments across three different shows would have presented additional challenges.
“There was no negativity behind my comment. At the time TNA was utilizing NXT talent. I was working in NXT, but I was also being pitched to start a potential SmackDown storyline, so my understanding was that adding a third storyline would have been a lot to juggle.”
Blackheart emphasized that her original comments were simply intended to demonstrate her longstanding interest in joining TNA rather than suggest there had been any issues with WWE.
“The intention of my comment was simply to express how much I’ve always wanted to work with TNA and my enthusiasm for making it work alongside an already full schedule.”
She also expressed frustration with how some outlets had presented her remarks.
“I have been through too much these past few weeks to deal with all your fake ass headlines.”
There was no negativity behind my comment. At the time TNA was utilizing NXT talent. I was working in NXT, but I was also being pitched to start a potential SmackDown storyline, so my understanding was that adding a third storyline would have been a lot to juggle.
The intention of my comment was simply to express how much I’ve always wanted to work with TNA and my enthusiasm for making it work alongside an already full schedule.
— Shotzi Blackheart (@ShotziTCB) October 28, 2026
During the original podcast appearance, Blackheart also discussed her decision to spend time on the independent wrestling circuit following her WWE departure in May 2025, when the company opted not to renew her contract.
Rather than immediately signing with another major promotion, she wanted an opportunity to rebuild her confidence and rediscover her passion for wrestling.
“And then when I got released, I needed a second to be on the indies and do me before signing another big contract,” she explained.
Blackheart said that the experience ultimately helped prepare her for the next chapter of her career.
“After a year and a half of just doing me and gaining my confidence back, I felt like, ‘Okay, this is time for me to get back on TV, come to TNA on absolute fire with the most confidence and the biggest balls I have ever had in my career.’ So, I’m really coming to TNA fired up.”
The former WWE star also reflected on the difficulties she experienced while recovering from the ACL injury she suffered during an NXT match against Lyra Valkyria. Although the physical rehabilitation was demanding, Blackheart admitted that the mental challenges were particularly difficult.
“Yeah, it’s almost more grueling mentally than physically, showing up to PT and doing the workouts that you’re told to do is the easy part, right? But the mental part of the pain and the struggle to walk and the struggle of knowing whether or not you’re going to be able to come back to doing the thing that you love is so so hard.”
She credited her support system and personal interests, including spending time outdoors and writing, with helping her through the recovery process.
“Getting past that mental point is so difficult. But I just tried to stay focused on the physical and hang out with friends as much as possible, finding my support system and seeking out nature and writing a ton. I did a lot of writing while I was recovering from my ACL surgery and just reconnecting with all the things that you love.”
Following her WWE departure, Blackheart competed for several promotions, including GCW, MLW and Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling, before officially signing with TNA earlier this month.
She made her TNA debut during a television taping in Dothan, Alabama, finally securing the opportunity she had originally hoped to pursue while still under WWE contract.
Blackheart has since identified winning championship gold as one of her primary objectives as she begins the next chapter of her wrestling career.
