By Andrew Ravens
Copyright newsweek
Shotzi Blackheart, known for her time in WWE, is no longer with the company. Her contract expired this year, leading to her return to the independent wrestling circuit.
She first appeared on the WWE competition show Tough Enough in 2015. Shotzi officially signed with the company in 2019, joining the NXT brand.
Shotzi Discusses Her WWE Departure
During an appearance on Saraya’s Rulebreakers podcast, Shotzi spoke about her WWE release. Saraya asked if she was expecting her contract not to be renewed.
“Yes and no. I had just came back from an ACL tear. So, coming back from a huge injury and not being on TV for like almost a year, I was kind of not surprised. They’re just like we lasted a year without you, so we’ll just let you go now that your contract is up. In that aspect, I wasn’t realized surprised.”
While she understood the business aspect, Shotzi also expressed her disappointment. She felt that the company, and specifically Triple H, had given up on her.
“I don’t know, I always thought that Hunter really believed in me, so it was a little disappointing. Yeah, I just felt like, dang, they gave up on me.”
US business executive and former pro-wrestler Paul Levesque aka Triple H, attends Netflix’s “WWE Monday Night RAW” premiere at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California on January 6, 2025.
More news: WWE Superstar Announces Retirement Match
Success on the Independent Circuit
Since leaving WWE, Shotzi has become active on the independent scene. She has competed for promotions like Game Changer Wrestling, House of Glory, and Black Label Pro.
She has also captured championships, including the Garage Beer World Championship in GCW. Shotzi told Saraya that if WWE called her to come back tomorrow, she would decline, as she wants to become undeniable on her own first.
While Shotzi carves out her new path, her former NXT Women’s Tag Team Championship partner, Athena, continues a decorated run in AEW. Athena is the reigning ROH Women’s World Champion.
More WWE News:
Released WWE Superstar Retires From Pro Wrestling
Released WWE Star Breaks Silence On Departure
Released WWE Star Wants To Join AEW
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