Departing WWE Star Fires Back At Hurtful Fan Label

Newsweek

27-05-2025

Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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Following a series of WWE talent releases in 2025 that included main roster names like Braun Strowman and NXT departures such as Cora Jade, it emerged that Shotzi's contract with the company would also not be renewed.
Despite this news, and a planned feud with Chelsea Green reportedly being scrapped, Shotzi is apparently already being "overwhelmed by interest" from other promotions ahead of her WWE deal concluding in July.
Amid these developments, Shotzi took to social media to forcefully address online fans who have labeled her "injury prone," particularly after an ACL injury sidelined her for much of 2024. She directly refuted these claims, stating, "You idiots don't know what injury prone means one major injury in 12 years is 'injury prone.'"
'Injury prone' is a term that you wanna be smart marks overuse to sound smart. 100% of the wrestlers you are calling injury prone are not, they are just human. https://t.co/4l3q4ORhnE — Shotzi (@ShotziWWE) May 25, 2025
She further criticized the misuse of the term: "'Injury prone' is a term that you wanna be smart marks overuse to sound smart. 100% of the wrestlers you are calling injury prone are not, they are just human."
Shotzi's journey with WWE began with the 2015 season of Tough Enough, though a failed medical led to her early withdrawal from the competition. She officially signed with the company in late 2019, making her mark on the NXT brand as Shotzi Blackheart.
Her distinctive punk-rock inspired persona, complete with a signature miniature tank entrance, quickly resonated with fans, leading to her being named the NXT Breakout Star of the Year in 2020. A significant highlight during her time in NXT was capturing the NXT Women's Tag Team Championship alongside Ember Moon in March 2021.
Randy Orton has some fun in the crowd during Backlash France at LDLC Arena on May 4, 2024 in Lyon, France.
Randy Orton has some fun in the crowd during Backlash France at LDLC Arena on May 4, 2024 in Lyon, France.
WWE/Getty Images
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Promoted to the SmackDown brand in July 2021, Shotzi initially formed a tag team with Tegan Nox and later partnered with Raquel Rodriguez. One of her most prominent main roster moments came when she challenged Ronda Rousey for the SmackDown Women's Championship at Survivor Series WarGames in November 2022.
In 2023, Shotzi was involved in a deeply personal storyline with Damage CTRL, during which she bravely shaved her head on television, an act that also served as a poignant real-life tribute to her sister who was battling cancer at the time. She made a return to NXT in late 2023 and early 2024, briefly aligning with Gigi Dolin and Tatum Paxley, before the recent news of her upcoming contract expiration surfaced.
Given her established name on the independent scene prior to WWE, Shotzi is expected to have numerous opportunities available to her.
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