CM Punk has privately reached out to Cora Jade following her WWE release, maintaining their mentor-protégé bond that began when a teenage Jade first met her wrestling inspiration in their native Chicago. The 23-year-old broke her silence with an emotional social media post confirming her next chapter under original indie name Elayna Black.
“Dropping out of high school at 15 to chase my dreams was scary but I’m so thankful it worked out,” Jade wrote, reflecting on her NXT tenure that included a Women’s Tag Team Championship reign. “TRUST that this is not the end…I have so many ideas and am excited to show what I truly am capable of.”
Punk, who frequently counseled Jade and Roxanne Perez since his 2023 WWE return, has historically supported released talent – having previously endorsed Chelsea Green’s post-WWE reinvention. Jade’s declaration suggests immediate plans to revive the edgy “Elayna Black” persona she developed before joining WWE in 2021, potentially on the independent circuit.
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The release severs one of NXT’s most organic mentor relationships, as Punk often praised Jade’s work ethic during their shared Chicago roots. Industry observers anticipate strong demand for the free agent, given her youth (23), established fanbase, and proven adaptability between bubbly babyface and brooding heel characters during her developmental run.
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