Elayna Black, formerly known as Cora Jade in WWE, recently opened up about her admiration for CM Punk, one of WWE’s most beloved stars. Black, who was released by WWE on May 2 after a four-year stint with the company, revealed that she was a huge fan of Punk from a young age.
Growing up watching wrestling from the age of eight, Black idolized CM Punk and attended his meet-and-greet sessions in Chicago, Illinois whenever she had the chance. In a candid interview on Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Black humorously admitted that she probably came off as "crazy" to Punk due to the number of times she met him.
She recalled, "He remembered me because any time he would do anything in Chicago, because I lived in Chicago and so did he, I would be the first in line for every single thing. Borderline crazy, now that I’m thinking about it. I probably scared him. [Met CM Punk] probably 10 times. I was there every time. It got to the point where he would remember me in the line and he would laugh at me because I would be first in line every single time. We laugh about it now. I’m like, Jesus Christ, I was a little bit crazy back then."
Black also shared an interesting encounter with Punk at NXT Deadline in December 2023, where she made her NXT comeback as Cora Jade after a four-month absence. Punk, who had recently returned to WWE after almost a decade, was present at the same event. Black revealed that she joked around with Punk before the show to break the ice, leading to a heartwarming moment between the two.
"I walked up to him in catering, and I said something. I was like, ‘Hey, are you new here?’ and then he looked and realized it was me. He’s like, ‘What the f**k. No, are you new here?’ and then he just hugged me, and then ever since then he’s been my mentor, one of my closest friends now. It’s just crazy how that happens."
Despite her recent release from WWE, Black expressed her desire to return to the company one day. She shared her thoughts on the possibility of wrestling Punk’s wife, AJ Lee, in the future, showcasing her passion for the industry and her determination to continue pursuing her dreams in professional wrestling.
In conclusion, Elayna Black’s admiration for CM Punk not only highlights her love for the sport but also reflects the impact that wrestling icons can have on aspiring talents. Her journey from being a dedicated fan to a respected wrestler is a testament to the power of passion and perseverance in the world of sports entertainment.
