Credit: WWE.com
Former WWE star Shotzi Blackheart has spoken candidly about her departure from WWE, revealing the emotional impact of being released and her complex relationship with the company’s leadership. In an exclusive interview on the Rulebreakers podcast with Saraya, Shotzi expressed that she felt WWE “gave up on me,” especially disappointing given the timing of her release shortly after returning from injury.
A Sudden Departure Amidst Recovery
Shotzi’s WWE contract officially ended in May 2025, and the company chose not to renew it. This came as a shock to her because she was just coming off an injury and felt optimistic about her wrestling future inside WWE. “I was hopeful for what was next, especially since I had set a personal goal of having my most active year in 2025,” she revealed during her recent interviews.
Sources close to WWE indicate that her release was part of the company’s broader roster cuts in 2025, which saw numerous talents let go early in the year, divergent from the traditional post-WrestleMania season releases. However, insiders suggest that Shotzi’s release carried a particular weight given her long tenure and fan-favorite status within WWE’s women’s division.
The Hunter Factor: Feeling Believed In and Then Let Down
Shotzi highlighted her admiration and respect for Triple H, WWE’s Chief Content Officer and a key figure in talent development. She stated, “I always thought that Hunter really believed in me,” emphasizing the confidence she felt from him throughout her WWE journey. This makes her release all the more difficult to process, as she believed she was on an upward trajectory within WWE’s system.
According to a backstage source with knowledge of WWE’s creative process, “Shotzi had strong support from the NXT leadership, and Triple H personally was invested in her character’s development. However, balancing the evolving WWE roster and shifting creative priorities meant some talent like Shotzi unfortunately got lost in the shuffle.”
The Iconic Tank: WWE’s Refusal to Return a Career Symbol
One of Shotzi’s trademarks in WWE was her dramatic entrance riding a tank, a unique and memorable persona element that endeared her to fans. Since her release, she has requested the return of the tank, even offering to purchase it outright, but WWE has reportedly denied her request. Shotzi explained, “It was such a big part of my career and my entrance is always such a huge deal for me… I’m still hoping to get it back someday”.
This refusal highlights WWE’s strict policies around proprietary entrance props and memorabilia, which often remain in the company’s warehouse regardless of talent departures.
Life After WWE: Embracing the Independent Scene
Following her departure, Shotzi wasted little time returning to the independent wrestling circuit. By June 2025, she was competing in various promotions such as Hoodslam, Game Changer Wrestling (GCW), and Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling. Her GCW debut included a high-profile deathmatch that marked a distinct shift from her WWE style, symbolizing her fresh start as the self-styled “Indy Goddess”.
She has also begun making appearances in Major League Wrestling (MLW), engaging in new storylines and matches, demonstrating her versatility and eagerness to explore creative freedom outside WWE’s structured environment.
Fan and Industry Reaction
Fans expressed mixed emotions about Shotzi’s release. Many praised her charisma and unique character work, especially her tank entrance, while wrestling analysts questioned WWE’s direction for women’s division talent by releasing a performer with such distinctive appeal.
A wrestling journalist close to the industry commented, “Shotzi is a classic example of how WWE sometimes undervalues creative presentation and fan connection in favor of corporate roster strategies. Her tank entrance and persona had niche appeal that built a solid, loyal fan base. Her post-WWE success shows she has more wrestling to offer”.
What’s Next for Shotzi Blackheart?
Shotzi remains optimistic about her wrestling future despite her WWE exit. Her recent matches and emerging feuds within independent promotions signal her determination to redefine her career trajectory on her own terms. She hinted at potentially exploring opportunities with larger promotions outside WWE, although she remains focused on building momentum on the indie scene for now.
Her resilience and candid reflections provide a blueprint for many wrestlers facing uncertainty about their future in the highly competitive wrestling industry.