Shotzi Blackheart won the Immortal Clusterf— at GCW Joey Janela’s Spring Break: The Immortal Clusterf—.
The match took place late Saturday night/early Sunday morning at the Horseshoe Las Vegas.
Shotzi entered in at number 7 in the match, which lasted approximately two hours and 30 minutes. The final four were Shotzi, Vipress, CPA, and Slade, with Shotzi eliminating Slade last.
Notable moments from the bout included our own Bryan Alvarez entering and pinning Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful in a battle of the wrestling websites. KJ Orso eliminated Alvarez shortly after, but Shotzi then eliminated Orso.
There were 69 entrants in the match this year, though one of them was invisible. The Invisible Man was responsible for 12 eliminations. A group of three dinosaurs, or presumably three people in dinosaur costumes, was also counted as a single entrant.
Fans of the Pro Wrestling NES video game released in 1986 may also be happy to know that the Starman character from the game also appeared in this year’s Clusterf—. He was played by Starboy Charlie.
Shotzi Blackheart has shared some encouraging news after her brother went missing earlier this week.
Late Tuesday night, Blackheart (Ashley Urbanski) sent out a post asking for help locating her brother Deano after he was found missing in the wake of a car crash. She followed up today with an update noting that Deano has been found and is being taken to the hospital.
My brother has been found and is being taken to the hospital.
We are incredibly grateful to everyone who shared the post, reached out, and helped spread the word. The support and kindness from so many people truly means the world to our family.
“My brother has been found and is being taken to the hospital. We are incredibly grateful to everyone who shared the post, reached out, and helped spread the word,” Blackheart wrote. “The support and kindness from so many people truly means the world to our family. Thank you all so much.”
The car accident happened in San Francisco, and security footage showed Deano walking away from his vehicle in a possibly disoriented state. Shotzi noted that Deano has been undergoing dialysis and is not his usual self, so they were especially worried about his safety.
It was announced on Tuesday that Shotzi has re-signed with MLW, which has become her home promotion since departing WWE in 2025. She currently holds the MLW Women’s Featherweight Championship as the promotion gears up to relaunch its weekly Fusion TV series.
Shotzi is advertised for Saturday’s MLW television taping at Center Stage in Atlanta.
Hours after re-signing with MLW, Shotzi suffered a personal tragedy when her brother was announced missing by her on social media.
Shotzi uploaded a concerning post on social media and shared the news of her brother, Deano, missing following a car accident.
“My brother Deano is missing. His car was found crashed near Fort Mason/ Marina District – San Francisco, and security footage shows him walking away from the vehicle afterward. He may be confused or disoriented,” Shotzi wrote. “He is currently undergoing dialysis and is not himself, so we are very worried about his safety.”
More information on how to contact the authorities about any updates on Deano can be found here.
After a lengthy run in WWE, she parted ways with the promotion in 2025. Shortly after exiting WWE, she joined hands with MLW and has remained there since. While the 33-year-old recently renewed her MLW contract, she also actively wrestles for Game Changer Wrestling and House of Glory.
Shotzi Blackheart is sticking around in MLW — a promotion that’s become home to her following her departure from WWE.
While no details about the contract were reported, it was announced today that Blackheart has re-signed with MLW. She debuted for MLW in June 2025 and currently holds the MLW Women’s Featherweight Championship, which she won from Shoko Nakajima in February.
Proving that she can lead a division is one of the reasons that Blackheart chose to re-sign her MLW deal.
“I just think about the goals I have this year, and MLW ticks every box to help me grow and elevate as a performer.” she told The Takedown on SI. “I want to prove that I can lead a division and be the face of a company. They push me to grow as a TV performer.”
Blackheart exited WWE after being informed in May 2025 that her contract would not be renewed. MLW has been the right fit for her creatively since then, with Blackheart feeling like she’s in her “own pro wrestling horror movie” with the way MLW leans into her character.
“I’ve been at every MLW taping since June. They were one of the first companies to hit me up when my WWE contract ended, and it has turned into my favorite creative playground. It’s a company that truly believes in me,” Blackheart said.
“They’ve invested in me creatively. I’ve never had a company understand my character more than MLW. Every time I get a script, I’m like, ‘Oh my God, they understand me,’ or they make a T-shirt for me, and I’m like, ‘That’s so me.’”
Blackheart also competes for indie promotions like Game Changer Wrestling and House of Glory. She was featured on both the main roster and in NXT during her WWE career.
Notes from the new issue which apparently has been the talk of the social media wrestling world:
Seth Rollins injury and how this will lead to numerous changes in booking plans, including what was scheduled short and long-term for Rollins through Mania and after.
Full coverage of Crown Jewel, business notes and match coverage
The Media Ratings Council has questions about the new numbers
Just how far Smackdown has dropped with younger viewers based on the new sampling and NXT isn’t much different, nor is AEW
Konosuke Takeshita beats Zack Sabre Jr. to win the IWGP title, a look at King of Prm Wrestling, WrestleKingdom, first thoughts on Aaron Wolf, and the angles on the show
WrestleDream preview, business notes, as well as Saturday Night’s Main Event in Salt Lake City needs the entire show revamped
Odds for upcoming big matches
TNA Bound for Glory notes
A detailed story on WWE cuts focusing on Ridge Holland and Wes Lee
Pro Wrestling NOAH at Sumo Hall
A huge story on the 2025 Hall of Fame U.S. & Canada candidates
What the awards voting over the last 45 years says about those who fare better not in than those who are in.
The most detailed look at the ratings for all the wrestling shows of the past week
It’s women’s month at Arena Mexico but one person is still the star, a look at the recent main events
A look at two PPV shows from Arena Mexico coming
Who is the obvious choice for tag team of the year that nobody is talking about
Best of the Super Juniors tournament
Japanese referee dies in bear attack
Update on Smashing Machine business
They named a bridge after Stu Hart and more notes
NFL star copying Ric Flair
Fantastica Mania UK
The Andrade situation
Lots of background details on similar stories
Kota Ibushi update
Notes on Chris Jericho and Britt Baker
Darby Allin talks about the cancers that used to be in AEW
Update on a training camp for AEW in Asheville, NC
Rematch of a match of the year candidate coming to AEW show in Edinburg, TX
Updates on YouTube numbers for September
Debate over the new and old Ali Act
Details on Zuffa Boxing deals
How much UFC makes in profit per Saturday show
New UFC fights
Sad BJ Penn story
Stories on fighters getting screwed by promoters
Ticket demand for John Cena’s last show
New WWE hire, usage of AI for wrestling storylines and some are worried about their jobs
Zaria reflected on the one-year anniversary of her NXT debut and looked ahead to her Women’s North American Championship match against Blake Monroe at Halloween Havoc:
1 Year ago today I debuted in WWE. It’s gone by so quickly that it all feels like a dream. I’ve accomplished more than I thought I would in just a year. Iron Survivor, ladder match at Stand and Deliver, tag championship match at Evolution, debuting on Smackdown and now I get to have my first singles championship match at Halloween Havoc.
A championship that belongs to my partner [Sol Ruca]. Someone that has played such a big role in my growth this past year. The friendship that was so unexpected yet the bond is unbreakable. Stepping into a WWE ring for the first time at Halloween Havoc was such a definitive moment for me and now defending the NA Championship for Sol, is a definitive moment for ZaRuca. This moment means everything to me. I won’t let you down
No excuses, this man is a literal example of that. So happy to have run into him and see first hand his progress. If you think you can’t do it, don’t listen to me, look at this man and follow his example. Keep going forward kid!
To promote tonight’s New York Knicks vs. Cleveland Cavaliers NBA game, ESPN created a WrestleMania 28-inspired poster with stars Jalen Brunson and Donovan Mitchell in the places of The Rock and John Cena.
John Cena’s absolutely a legendary pro wrestler who came into the space and became a huge star very quickly on television because he has so much charisma and he’s one of the hardest working people as far as I know in pro wrestling.
I’ve never actually met John Cena. I have a ton of respect for him as a wrestler. He seems like a wonderful person. Everybody I know that’s worked with John Cena has only the very, very best things to say about him. And he’s known for being the utmost professional.
I think he’s also a very, very talented actor. I’m a huge fan of the Peacemaker show on HBO Max…
I think that he’s absolutely fantastic in the ring. And he seems fantastic out of the ring. Certainly on screen, one of the all-time greats. And he came into the wrestling business after many of the top stars were either getting ready to retire or entering the final phase of their career and he really stepped up as one of the biggest wrestling stars of all time. Even though I’ve never met him or talked to him, I have a ton of respect for him.
We built a lot. It’s been six years of AEW, and again, it feels like we started just yesterday. I’m very interested in taking AEW and visiting more of Europe. I think there are more opportunities there. We’ve had great shows in the UK, particularly with shows in London. We’ve set records at Wembley Stadium, and we’ve had great events in Cardiff, Wales. And I’m really excited about this year taking AEW to Manchester for the first time. I think there’s more opportunities there internationally, for AEW…I think that’s very attractive, just international expansion.
TNA Wrestling today confirmed a long-term partnership with Tixr, a global technology leader modernising ticketing and live event commerce, to be an official sponsor and ticket provider for future TNA live events.
The TNA/Tixr partnership kicks off in November, when TNA presents three consecutive nights of live, intense, action-packed pro wrestling at Full Sail University in Orlando, Florida on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, November 13-15.
MLW has honestly been my favorite place to work for right now. It kind of reminds me of my first year at NXT. When I got to NXT, Hunter [Triple H] really got me. They gave me the opportunity to host Halloween Havoc and really let me be me and my character and really understood me. MLW really understands the ‘Ballsy Badass.’ I came in and every creative thing they have given me, they totally get my character. From promos to giving me my ‘Graveyard Shift’ talking segment. Just letting me be myself and understanding my character. MLW gets me. It’s a breath of fresh air to be somewhere where someone enjoys your character and appreciates what I bring to the table and highlights it.
Shotzi noted that, if WWE contacted her to return, it’s not something she would want to do at the moment:
Right now, I can genuinely say if WWE offered me another contract I’d be like, ‘call me back in six months.’ Ask me again in six months because I’m just having so much fun right now. I feel like I’m growing so much as a performer, an in-ring wrestler and a ring leader. I don’t want to stop that right now. I’m learning so much about myself. I don’t trust I would be able to do that there. I just want to develop myself and regain all my confidence and just have a good time right now and not rush back.
Ric Flair was a guest on the Games with Names podcast with New England Patriots legend Julian Edelman. They looked back at Flair’s 1989 Chi-Town Rumble classic against Ricky Steamboat.
WWE has a NXT Homecoming vlog featuring Sami Zayn, William Regal, Mr. Stone, and Rhea Ripley.
Cody Rhodes has topped this year’s Pro Wrestling Illustrated 500 list. The rest of the top ten includes Jon Moxley, Gunther, Hangman Page, Hirooki Goto, Jey Uso, Swerve Strickland, Seth Rollins, Mistico, and Will Ospreay.
Shotzi Blackheart is officially part of the MLW roster and wants to prove she can be the face of the company.
On Monday, MLW confirmed Shotzi will make her debut for the promotion at its Summer of the Beasts event on Thursday, June 26 at The Melrose Ballroom in New York. Her appearance on the show was teased last month in a vignette that aired at Azteca Lucha in Chicago on May 10.
Shotzi spoke with the NY Post recently about wanting to be a leader in MLW after not “being given the ball” in WWE.
“I have just huge motivation right now and just huge balls that I want to bring everywhere I go,” she said. “I think with my fire to change and grow and their fire to change and grow, we just work hand in hand.”
“I just floated at WWE and never really got the chance to be the face of the company, like really hold the ball. I was never given it,” Blackheart said. “I want to go in with so much passion. I want to lead the charge. I want to prove to the world that I can be the face of the company. I can go out there and have really awesome promos and have really awesome matches and be a leader, and I want to do that in MLW.”
Shotzi had been teased for an MLW event in September 2019. However, she didn’t end up appearing on the show as she signed with WWE shortly after. Shotzi told the NY Post that MLW has always been a promotion she wants to work for.
“It’s someplace that I’ve wanted to be for my entire wrestling career,” she said. “Now that I’m finally here, I’m not going to hold back.”
Shotzi was part of WWE’s roster cuts revealed on May 2 after being with the company since October 2019. Her first post-WWE match took place on June 6 at a Hoodslam event in Oakland, the promotion where she originally debuted in 2014. She returned to GCW for the first time since 2019 that same weekend and was back with the promotion on Friday night in Little Rock, Arkansas, where she wrestled Atticus Cogar at GCW Bangin in Little Rock.
MLW Summer of The Beasts Lineup
MLW World Champion Matt Riddle defends against KENTA
MLW National Champion Ultimo Guerrero defends against Alex Hammerstone
MLW World Tag Team Champions Los Depredadores vs. TBA
The new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter is up on the site right now:
WBD will split into two companies, what this means for the future of cable, for AEW, for the legacy of TBS, TNT and CNN, for TNT Sports and what and when this all goes into effect regarding AEW.
More on WrestleMania going back to Las Vegas
The story on Ron Killings being cut why they had to bring him back and all the ramifications regarding it
The story behind Gunther beating Jey Uso for the world tite and set up
Full King of the Ring coverage, as well as Saturday Night’s Main Event main event, Night of Champions, Evolution and future WWE major events.
Full UFC 316 coverage and Kayla Harrison garners one of the most impressive combat sports resumes in history
The story behind Worlds Collide, the history packages, behind the scenes, Mr. Iguana and his background, all the ratings numbers, TripleMania Regia and more.
Ben Askren fights for his life
Latest developments in the Janel Grant lawsuit
Mark Kerr goes into UFC Hall of Fame meaning Dwayne Johnson will induct him
The most detailed look at the ratings for all the pro wrestling shows including comparing cable vs. network, cable vs. streaming, how Rw is really doing, four-hour AEW marathon shows, NBA competition and more
Arena Mexico has one of its best matches of the year
New Japan Dominion noes
Notes on the G-1 tournament
Why Greg Oliver was so valuable to pro wrestling
Bret Hart talks Vince McMahon
Final X notes
Former ROH star retires
Wrestler trading card auctioned off for more than $80,000
Wrestlers who had matches in seven different decades
Former WWF wrestler makes a grandstand challenge for Hulk Hogan
RAF signs Olympic gold medalist
Update on lawsuit against AEW
Grand Slam Mexico notes
All In notes
Komander injury
Dana White and Nick Khan back promoting the biggest fight of 2025 and how it looks to have gone down
WWE uploaded the full Blake Monroe contract signing from last night’s NXT, which ended with the former Mariah May being put through a table by NXT Women’s Champion Jacy Jayne and the rest of Fatal Influence.
New theme music for Jordynne Grace debuted on NXT, drawing “Fire Def Rebel” chants as fans voiced their dissatisfaction with WWE’s music production company.
On social media, Grace acknowledged the backlash her new theme received: “I know what the streets are saying, but yall better suspend that disbelief and vibe with it, GOT IT?”
NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal and New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson are being added to WWE 2K25 as playable characters. They will be available as part of the Dunk & Destruction DLC pack that releases on June 25.
Other Wrestling
Ahead of tonight’s Grand Slam Mexico episode of Dynamite, Tony Khan met with CMLL director Salvador Lutteroth Lomeli. CMLL writes that Khan and Lutteroth reaffirmed the collaborative ties between their promotions.
So the day-to-day operations, not so much. But my thing is I’m trying to lead us into the next iteration of it… My hope for MLW, my whole desire is, let’s get a TV deal. Let’s get some sort of streaming deal. Let’s get the library up on something, be it a FAST channel [free ad-supported streaming channel], whatever. And let’s, slowly but surely, get the money to actually build up a full roster and get this thing going.
And then at the same time, let’s try to put eyes on it when we can… and find cross promotion wherever we can.
When asked how far along MLW is on a TV or streaming deal, Hauser responded:
I can’t say too much because we’re still figuring stuff out, obviously. But we’ve had a couple of offers and we’ve had discussions and we’re just trying to figure out what makes the most sense for everybody. Because it’s one thing for somebody to throw you some money, it’s another to find people that understand and like the product. So, like, we’re kind of looking for somebody who actually likes wrestling and understands the product and wants to see it grow exponentially. Not get some kind of cheapo buyout just to have it up off of YouTube.
Shotzi Blackheart told Denise Salcedo that, when she was let go by WWE, Charlotte Flair was the first person to reach out and offer her support:
She was honestly the first person that called me. Like when that news hit, she was the first person to call me. And she was like, ‘What do you need me to do? What connections can I pull? What do you want? Like, I will help you.’ She has just been such a rock for me. And I hope me for her as well. Because we were doing ACL rehab at the same time. We were just there for each other. And she has been somebody, like, a person that I cried to during that whole process. Yeah, she’s just been so great.
Joe Coffey explained that the reason Gallus haven’t wrestled since their WWE release is because they’re going through the process of getting new visas:
Just to cut a long story short, with the release and the contract, our visa goes with that. So we’re in the process of going through a new visa, which hopefully won’t be too lengthy. It’s costly, but it’s going to be an investment. Unfortunately, just now, we have to be landlocked in the US, so it means we can’t work in the US or get back to Europe or Japan or anything.
It’s just a bit of a waiting game. It’s a bit frustrating because I’ve been wrestling for a long, long time, coming up on 16 years now. It’s what I know. And I’m just itching to get my boots on, tie the laces up, and just get back to work and get back in the ring. So hopefully it won’t be too long.
Kayla Becker (former WWE broadcaster Kayla Braxton) announced that she is now seeking on-air broadcast jobs in sports and entertainment:
After nearly a decade in live broadcasting sports arenas to red carpets I’m currently seeking new on-air roles across sports, entertainment, and lifestyle.
Since leaving WWE, I’ve launched two independent podcasts I’m proud of, but I’m also ready to rejoin a media team where I can collaborate, tell bigger stories, and expand my impact on-air.
Whether it’s live coverage, unscripted interviews, or branded content I thrive when I’m in the moment and on the mic.
Elayna Black will challenge Masha Slamovich for the JCW World Championship at GCW’s Boss of all Bosses show in Dallas on Friday, July 11.
Gabriel Wai, a former WWE Performance Center recruit and rugby player, is part of the cast for the next season of MTV’s “The Challenge” that debuts on Wednesday, July 30. Wai was given the name Eka Brown after signing with WWE but was never featured in NXT.
After making her return to the independents, Shotzi appeared on The Ariel Helwani Show on Tuesday.
She made surprise appearances for Hoodslam and GCW over the weekend. The 33-year-old told Helwani the experience was, at first, bittersweet.
“Obviously, it being my first match back to the indies, it makes it real that I’m not with WWE anymore, so it’s bittersweet. But once I made my entrance and that crowd went insane, and I just got to have a match that was stress free and just wild and balls to the wall. No one was telling me, ‘No, you cannot use glass’ or ‘No, you cannot do that crazy thing.’”
“It was a lot of fun and really helped with my confidence, already,” she added.
Asked if she had started to doubt herself, Shotzi responded:
“Yeah. You start to when you’re not being used. I haven’t really done much in the last year and a half. So it’s hard on your confidence, for sure.”
Shotzi missed 10 months in 2024 after tearing her ACL in February. She then worked in NXT until it was revealed on May 2 that her contract would not be renewed. Helwani noted that Cora Jade and Sonya Deville had ACL injuries shortly before their WWE releases as well.
“When you’re going through such a huge injury like that that puts you out for almost a year, you start getting in your head a little because you’re stuck at home, you’re still in rehab and thinking like, ‘Oh man, what if they’re not gonna use me when I get back? Like, what if it’s it for me?’ You try to stay positive and you hope that, ‘Well, if I work really hard and come back even better, maybe I’ll get rewarded for coming back from such an intense injury.’ But unfortunately for me, I was let go.”
Shotzi said she started to realize around Mania that her contract would not be renewed. She feels WWE knew for some time that she would not be re-signed, as they weren’t using her and ideas for a main roster return were consistently pushed back.
“I probably will never know why they released me, but WWE doesn’t owe me anything,” she continued. “That’s showbiz, right? They just didn’t think that I was money and that’s OK. I can take that.”
Shotzi also said she would love to return to WWE, provided she would be used.
“I would love to be back at WWE. I loved working there. I didn’t love not working there, you know what I’m saying? It was only when I wasn’t being used that I was unhappy. But anytime I was being used, good time. Loved the locker room, loved everyone I was working for.”
Shotzi also named AEW as the company she is most interested in signing with. When asked why, she answered:
“I love their freedom. I have a lot of friends there who are doing really awesome things. I’ve heard many stories of how Tony treats talent. So yeah, I do love that he really cares for his talent. That is super important to me.”
“And like, hot girls get to make out with each other,” she added with a laugh.
Shotzi has several independent events lined up in the coming months. Her next GCW booking is set for June 20. She will also debut with Maple Leaf Pro on July 5 and appear for F1rst Wrestling in September.
Her full appearance on the show is available below:
After making her surprise return to Hoodslam and debuting for GCW this past weekend, the 33-year-old has announced several upcoming indie dates.
Shotzi will return to GCW on June 20 at Bangin in Little Rock, where she’s scheduled to wrestle Atticus Cogar. Also announced for the card is Elayna Black (FKA Cora Jade) vs. Joey Janela, Billie Starkz vs. Adam Priest, and Blake Christian vs. Miyu Yamashita.
Shotzi’s next GCW appearance will be on July 11 in Dallas. As previously announced, she’ll also be part of GCW’s three-day tour of Japan later that month. She’s also scheduled for shows with F1rst Wrestling and Maple Leaf Pro.
Shotzi made her surprise return to the independents on Friday at a Hoodslam show in Oakland. She started her career with the promotion in 2014. On Saturday, she made her unannounced debut for GCW at Tournament of Survival X in Atlantic City. She joined the opening round match between Matt Tremont and Jimmy Lloyd, making it a three way. Tremont won the match en route to winning the tournament.
Shotzi posted to social media that she’s the new “Indy God.” This led to Matt Cardona claiming he’s sent her a cease and desist.
Shotzi, once again going by Shotzi Blackheart, is back on the independents.
The 33-year-old appeared unannounced at a Hoodslam event in Oakland, California on Friday night. Blackheart, who is from Santa Clara, began her career with Hoodslam in 2014.
She posted on social media after the show:
“SURPRISE! I had to kick off this next chapter of my career where it all started for me! Wrestled one of my OG trainers last night in an emotional and sentimental match that really epitomized what you all are about to see from me. Watch it on @Triller_TV HOODSLAM FEARLESS”
SURPRISE! I had to kick off this next chapter of my career where it all started for me! Wrestled one of my OG trainers last night in an emotional and sentimental match that really epitomized what you all are about to see from me. Watch it on @Triller_TV HOODSLAM FEARLESS https://t.co/9UKG1uFmal
Shotzi has several other independent bookings coming up. She is scheduled to debut for Major League Wrestling at Summer of the Beasts on June 26 at the Melrose Ballroom in Queens, New York. She is also set to face Nina Samuels in a “Pick Your Poison” match at PROGRESS Wrestling: Chapter 181 on June 29 in Manchester, UK. Additionally, GCW has announced Shotzi for its three-show tour of Japan from July 28 to July 30, with events in Shinjuku, Itabashi, and Korakuen Hall in Tokyo.
Shotzi signed with WWE in 2019 and reported to the Performance Center that October. She debuted on the main roster in July 2021. It was reported on May 2 that her WWE contract would not be renewed, and she was moved to the alumni section of the company’s website the following day.
Shotzi Blackheart returned to Pro Wrestling last night at Hoodslam In Oakland! 💚🖤
In a new interview following her WWE departure, Shotzi confirmed that she was slated to appear in the 2025 women’s Royal Rumble match before being replaced by the returning Alexa Bliss.
Shotzi told Daria & Toni Unwrapped that, the day before the show, she got a last-minute call from WWE about being in the Rumble match. She flew out to Indianapolis and was all set to compete before being informed that she actually would not be participating. Shotzi was getting makeup done when she received the news.
“So I heard mixed messages. Like, a couple producers said that I was always in the Rumble. But then they just told me last minute. Yeah, I don’t know, I was very confused by it. But they didn’t relay anything to me until the day before,” Shotzi said. “It was like 3 p.m. the day before Rumble and they were like, ‘Hey, can you get on a flight in a couple hours?’ And then I’m like, ‘Oh my God, I’m not ready for this.’ Just like packed my bags, I don’t even know what I put in the bags. Got to the airport in like an hour, and then it led to nothing.”
Bliss returned as a surprise entrant in the Royal Rumble, wrestling for the first time since giving birth to her daughter Hendrix in 2023. But whether Bliss was going to take part in the Rumble was legitimately up in the air until the last minute. There was a contract situation where Bliss’ new five-year deal with WWE was not completed until shortly before the match.
Shotzi noted that Bliss was gracious about the situation and apologized to her over taking her spot.
“Honestly, if you’re going to take me out for anyone, at least make it be the biggest pop of the night,” Shotzi said. “And I have to say that Alexa had no idea that someone was getting replaced. She had no idea any of that was going on. She felt so bad and she came up to me afterwards. And she was like, ‘Oh my God, I’m so sorry. I didn’t even realize they were taking someone out of the Rumble to get me in there.'”
Last month, Shotzi announced that she is departing WWE with the company choosing not to renew her contract. She is taking indie bookings and has been teased for MLW’s Summer of the Beasts show that is being held in New York City on June 26.
The full episode of Daria & Toni Unwrapped is available to watch below. The podcast is hosted by former WWE wrestler Sonya Deville (Daria Berenato) and her wife Toni Cassano.
A vignette aired during the promotion’s Azteca Lucha show on Saturday featuring green text that read, “June 26. Hearts Turn Black. The Warning Shotz Will Be Fired,” before cutting to an ad for MLW Summer of the Beasts. That event takes place June 26 at the Melrose Ballroom in Queens, New York.
The vignette begins around the 1-hour, 50-minute mark in the video below.
In a since-deleted post to X, Shotzi noted that she is free to wrestle for other promotions beginning in July. “Just to clarify, I still have a good amount of time on my contract,” she wrote. “But come July I will be full time balls to the walls!”
Shotzi was part of the WWE roster cuts revealed on May 2 and was reportedly informed that her contract would not be renewed. On May 4, she announced that she’s accepting independent bookings. Her profile was moved to the alumni section of WWE.com earlier this month.
While Shotzi has never wrestled for MLW, there were rumors in 2019 that she was headed to the promotion before she ultimately signed with WWE. She also appears to be teasing a possible angle in House of Glory involving either Indi Hartwell or Miyu Yamashita.
I dont care just let me fight them both! @HOGwrestling
Shotzi is keeping a positive attitude as she enters post-WWE life.
It was confirmed last weekend that Shotzi is departing WWE amid a string of roster cuts made by the company. Shotzi was not officially released, but she was informed that her WWE contract will not be renewed when it expires. She will be free to wrestle elsewhere this July.
On Busted Open Radio today, Shotzi gave her first interview since the news of her WWE departure broke. After mostly just sitting at home for the last couple of years, Shotzi is excited to get back to work.
“Honestly, I didn’t expect this but I just feel so free. And I just feel like this weight is lifted off me,” she said. “I just feel like clarity and I just feel extremely motivated and excited for the future. And I’m just ready to get to work. Because I have just been sitting at home it feels like for the last two years. And I’m just excited to get back at it.”
Shotzi was sidelined for 10 months in 2024 after suffering a torn ACL during a match on NXT. She returned to action in December but was not reintroduced to the main roster aside from her last match for the company taking place on WWE Speed.
“When they’re utilizing you, it’s the best job in the world,” Shotzi told Busted Open. “It’s so much fun and it really is the best. But like when you’re in the dark and you’re pitching things and it just feels like no one wants to talk to you and it just feels like no one believes in you and you’re just sitting at home or you’re sitting in catering for months, it’s mind-numbing. And it’s confusing. And it’s boring as hell. So I’m just excited to finally get to go out there and just kick ass on my terms — and I get to make my schedule. Like, I’m not going to put myself in catering. I’m going to get out there and I’m going to wrestle my butt off.”
Shotzi said she’s “so grateful” for the five-plus years she spent in WWE, and her initial NXT run in particular was the greatest year of her life. She praised the WWE women’s locker room and is thankful for all of the awesome women she got to work with.
In her second NXT stint, Shotzi was aligned with Gigi Dolin & Tatum Paxley. She fell in love with working with them and was hoping the trio would go to the main roster together. But Dolin also departed WWE as she was released in this round of talent cuts. Paxley is still with the company.
Shotzi mentioned that WWE had plans for her to come back to the main roster for a storyline with Chelsea Green, but it kept getting pushed back and never happened.
When asked about potential opponents she’d like to face, Shotzi named TNA’s Masha Slamovich and AEW/ROH’s Billie Starkz. She’s open to wrestling both men and women on the indies. Shotzi is already taking bookings and is excited by the overwhelming response she’s received.
Shotzi still has a bit of time left before she’ll officially hit free agency.
Over the weekend, it was confirmed that Shotzi is departing WWE in a round of roster cuts made by the company. Unlike most others who are being let go, Shotzi was not released by WWE but was instead informed that her contract would not be renewed when it expires.
Shotzi posted a tweet (that has since been deleted) saying that it won’t be until July until she’s free to wrestle elsewhere.
“Just to clarify, I still have a good amount of time on my contract,” she wrote. “But come July I will be full time balls to the walls!”
Shotzi had been appearing on NXT before her departure, where she was aligned with Gigi Dolin & Tatum Paxley. Dolin was released by WWE last Friday in these roster cuts.
