Latest news with #post-WWE
Newsweek
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
"I Lost Myself" - Released WWE Superstar Breaks Silence On Departure
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Priscilla Kelly, known to WWE fans as Gigi Dolin, has shared a deeply personal and emotional reflection on her WWE release. She has also touched on the challenging period leading up to it. Kelly, who was released from her WWE contract on May 2nd, 2025, alongside several other NXT and main roster talents, took to social media on June 1st with a new promo video. The video showed Kelly burning trinkets related to her WWE career. It also included a recreation of the phone call where she received news of her release. In the message, Kelly spoke of feeling like she "had lost everything." More news: WWE News: Steve Austin Reveals Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation She elaborated on her internal struggles: "I had everything. Everything I worked so hard for so long to achieve and somewhere along the way, I lost myself. Almost entirely." She continued, "I became a shell of the girl I knew. I didn't even recognize the body I saw in the mirror." COLOGNE, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 07: A WWE Logo at the WWE Live Tryout at the Motorworld on November 7, 2018 in Cologne, Germany. COLOGNE, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 07: A WWE Logo at the WWE Live Tryout at the Motorworld on November 7, 2018 in Cologne, revealed a period of profound questioning. "I had asked myself time and time again, did I even love this anymore? I had been through so much in my childhood and in my adult life that I thought surely nothing, and I mean nothing, could break me. But it did," she confessed. "I found myself picking up pieces of my dream, not knowing what glue would be strong enough to put it back together." A significant turning point for Kelly was a serious injury. "Well, it turns out that glue was a torn and flipped meniscus on a Friday morning. I spent every day of my recovery putting myself back together," she explained. This period of rehabilitation seemingly led to a renewed sense of purpose and determination. "I came back with a vengeance and one goal. Show everyone what the hell I'm capable of," Kelly declared. "Break every assumption, every doubt. Bring back a part of me that I thought was dead and work my ass off until... I sat with my thoughts." She ended her reflection on the release with a stark admission: "It had felt like I had experienced a death. Maybe I did." At the time of her release, Kelly was part of an NXT faction with Shotzi (who also recently exited WWE after her contract was not renewed) and Tatum Paxley. Kelly has already had her first post-WWE independent wrestling dates announced, signaling her intent to showcase her capabilities on her own terms in this new chapter of her career. More WWE News: For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports.
Newsweek
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Released WWE Star Set For In-Ring Return
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Just weeks after her WWE release, Jakara Jackson, now wrestling under the name Mara Sadè, has her first significant post-WWE match announced, and it's a world championship opportunity. On Wednesday, Jersey Championship Wrestling (JCW) revealed that Sadè will challenge Masha Slamovich for the JCW World Championship at their July 6th event in Asbury Park, New Jersey, provided Slamovich is still the champion by then. Jackson was released from her WWE contract on May 2, 2025. Shortly after the news broke, she took to social media with a determined video message, making it clear she intends to continue and make a significant impact in her wrestling career. "Do I wish that I could have shown the world what I can do on my own? Hell yes," Sadè stated in the video. "And the way I see it, I'm still going to get that opportunity, just in a different way." Initially indicating she would be known as Miss Jackson, she has since updated her social media profiles to reflect her new ring name, Mara Sadè. More news: WWE News: Steve Austin Reveals Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation Jackson signed with WWE in early 2021 as part of a Performance Center recruitment class. She primarily competed on NXT Level Up. She was later prominently featured on NXT television as part of the Meta-Four faction, alongside Oro Mensah, Noam Dar, and Lash Legend, often serving as a valet and occasional competitor. COLOGNE, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 07: A WWE Logo at the WWE Live Tryout at the Motorworld on November 7, 2018 in Cologne, Germany. COLOGNE, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 07: A WWE Logo at the WWE Live Tryout at the Motorworld on November 7, 2018 in Cologne, moments included her participation in the NXT Women's Championship #1 Contender's Battle Royal in July 2023 and the NXT Women's Breakout Tournament in October 2023. In a case of showing off WWE's then-growing openness to inter-promotional appearances, her most recent televised match before her WWE release actually occurred at TNA Rebellion in April 2025. *JCW BIRTHDAY UPDATE* *JCW World Title Match* MASHA SLAMOVICH (if still champ) vs MARA SADE (fka Jakara Jackson) Plus: Tremont vs Mad Dog Get Tix: Sun 7/6 - 5PM Asbury Park NJ The House of Independents — Jersey Championship Wrestling (@JerseyCW) May 28, 2025 This is where she teamed with her Meta-Four stablemate Lash Legend in a four-way tag team match for the TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championship, which was ultimately won by Heather By Elegance and Ash By Elegance. This upcoming JCW World Championship match against a renowned talent like Masha Slamovich provides Mara Sadè with an immediate high-profile platform to showcase her abilities as she starts on this new chapter of her career. It appears that she plans to continue wrestling on a full-time basis. More WWE News: For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports.
Newsweek
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Released WWE Superstar Reveals New Ring Name
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. In a move following her departure from WWE, a recently released talent has unveiled a new persona as she prepares to navigate the independent wrestling circuit. This development comes on the heels of a substantial wave of releases earlier this month, which saw seventeen performers exit the company, eleven of whom were part of the NXT brand, signaling a shift in WWE's talent roster. Among those released from NXT was Jakara Jackson, whose contract was terminated alongside her former Meta-Four stablemate, Oro Mensah. Jackson, however, quickly made it clear that her journey in professional wrestling was far from over, and the 30-year-old has now taken a concrete step in shaping her post-WWE career by adopting a new ring name. Jackson's tenure with WWE began when she signed a developmental contract and reported to the WWE Performance Center. During her time in NXT, Jackson made appearances on NXT's weekly television show and NXT Level Up. Her most prominent role came as a member of the Meta-Four stable, a faction that also included Oro Mensah, Noam Dar, and Lash Legend. More news: WWE News: Steve Austin Reveals Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation Transitioning to her new identity, Jackson has updated her Twitter profile, changing her name from Jakara Jackson to Mara Sadè. This signals a fresh start and a new chapter for the performer as she steps into the broader world of professional wrestling beyond the WWE umbrella. She is looking to replace her existing Twitter banner, which still features her old ring name, with one that reflects her new identity as Mara Sadè. She posted a direct request to her audience, writing: STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT - JANUARY 28: A WWE logo shines from the WWE world headquarters on January 28, 2024 in Stamford, Connecticut. WWE founder Vince McMahon resigned from the WWE and its parent company TKO as... STAMFORD, CONNECTICUT - JANUARY 28: A WWE logo shines from the WWE world headquarters on January 28, 2024 in Stamford, Connecticut. WWE founder Vince McMahon resigned from the WWE and its parent company TKO as executive chairman and board of directors following allegations of sexual assault in a Connecticut lawsuit. A former employee Janel Grant accused McMahon, 78, of sexual assault and sexually trafficking her. More "Hey gang! Can yall make me a badass profile banner?" The wrestler clearly intends to hit the ground running and is fostering a collaborative relationship with her supporters as she embarks on this new phase of her career. Released WWE star Jakara Jackson has rebranded to Mara Sadè on socials ahead of her free agency — WrestleTalk (@WrestleTalk_TV) May 15, 2025 The departures impacted both the main roster, including names like Braun Strowman and Shayna Baszler, and NXT, with talents such as Cora Jade and Gigi Dolin also being let go. It's important to note that the specific circumstances surrounding each individual's departure, such as a release or contract non-renewal, can differ. It will be interesting to see where she ends up. More WWE News: For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports.
Newsweek
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Released WWE Superstar Set For In-Ring Return
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Former WWE Superstar Shotzi is returning to the squared circle, with Major League Wrestling (MLW) strongly hinting at her arrival for their upcoming "Summer of the Beasts" event. This comes shortly after news of Shotzi's confirmed departure from WWE became public earlier this month. The tease occurred during a recent MLW Azteca Lucha broadcast, where a compelling vignette aired to promote the "Summer of the Beasts" event. The show is scheduled for June 26, 2025, and will emanate from the Melrose Ballroom in New York City. The promotional video clearly indicated Shotzi's impending MLW debut. Alongside striking visuals that included a tank graphic synonymous with her persona, on-screen text declared: "June 26. Hearts Turn Black. The Warning SHOTZ Will Be Fired." This announcement aligns perfectly with Shotzi's recent statements to her fanbase. Following the news of her WWE contract not being renewed, she had assured her supporters that they would indeed "be seeing her soon." Shotzi's WWE tenure is set to conclude, with reports in early May 2025 confirming that the company would not renew her contract. Her full free agency is anticipated to commence in July 2025. Her scheduled MLW appearance on June 26 thus marks one of her first prominent announced bookings in the post-WWE landscape. This move signals Major League Wrestling's keen interest in quickly featuring the popular and energetic performer. Shotzi cultivated a strong connection with fans during her WWE run. Her unique presentation and fearless in-ring style made her a memorable standout. COLOGNE, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 07: A WWE Logo at the WWE Live Tryout at the Motorworld on November 7, 2018 in Cologne, Germany. COLOGNE, GERMANY - NOVEMBER 07: A WWE Logo at the WWE Live Tryout at the Motorworld on November 7, 2018 in Cologne, Germany. More news: WWE News: Steve Austin Reveals Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation During her time with WWE, primarily in the NXT brand, Shotzi achieved notable success. She memorably held the NXT Women's Tag Team Championship alongside Ember Moon, showcasing her tag team prowess. She later transitioned to the main roster, appearing on SmackDown, where she was involved in several storylines, including a notable feud with Damage CTRL. Her unique character always promised an element of unpredictability. Wrestling enthusiasts will undoubtedly be eager to see Shotzi "ride again" and unleash her distinctive style within the MLW environment. The prospect of new matchups and creative directions is sure to generate excitement. This MLW debut offers Shotzi a significant platform to embark on a new chapter and make an immediate statement. For MLW, her arrival brings added star power and considerable buzz to their women's division and the "Summer of the Beasts" supercard. More WWE News: For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports.
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Cal Bloom (Von Wagner) Appears As An Extra On AEW Dynamite
Photo Credit: AEW Former NXT star Von Wagner briefly appeared as an extra on AEW Dynamite. WWE released Von Wagner, real name Cal Bloom, in April 2024. He was absent from the wrestling world, for the most part, until he had his first post-WWE match at a Midwest All-Star Wrestling event on March 15th. There, he faced Shay Diesel. During the March 26th episode of AEW Dynamite, Bloom appeared as a security guard during a brawl between Mark Davis and Powerhouse Hobbs. While he was just on TV for a moment, fans online were quick to spot him, and they took to social media to highlight his appearance. Cal, the son of Wayne Bloom, had a prominent push in the early stages of the NXT 2.0 era. Wagner had a brief run in a team with Kyle O'Reilly. He was eventually paired up with Mr. Stone during his NXT run. Advertisement READ MORE: AEW Dynamite Results: Review, Grades, Card For March 26 The post Cal Bloom (Von Wagner) Appears As An Extra On AEW Dynamite appeared first on Wrestlezone.
