In a recent episode of “The Ariel Helwani Show,” host Ariel Helwani engaged in a candid conversation with former WWE star Shotzi Blackheart. The discussion centered on Shotzi’s departure from WWE and her future aspirations in professional wrestling.
Shotzi Blackheart would love to join AEW
Shotzi expressed a strong desire to return to WWE, highlighting her affection for the organization and her positive experiences there. When asked whether she’d like all-indie wrestling now or have a wrestling home, Shotzi preferred to join AEW. Her interest in being All Elite comes from the creative freedom and supportive environment fostered by Tony Khan, which are key attractions.
Shotzi’s comments prioritized wrestling in an environment that cares for their well-being and creative input. She specifically praised AEW for its freedom and the way Khan treats talent, emphasizing the importance of a caring approach. However, she hilariously added, “And hot girls get to make out with each other, so like that’s cool,” referencing AEW Women’s Champion Toni Storm kissing her opponents.
Shotzi Blackhert shares why AEW would be her top choice if she were to return to a full-time wrestling position:
“AEW, for so many reasons. I love their freedom. I’ve heard many stories of how Tony treats talent. I do love that he really cares for his talent. That is super… pic.twitter.com/3wXcxL33GS
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 10, 2025
She also recalled being mostly happy throughout her WWE run. The only time she felt bad was when she was not utilized. The episode has more insights into Shotzi’s career and her vision for the future, offering fans a glimpse into the personal and professional considerations.
Shotzi feels R-Truth’s release was not a work
In the same episode, Shotzi spoke about Ron Killings, formerly known as R-Truth, to WWE. Shotzi discussed the circumstances surrounding Killings’ departure and subsequent reinstatement, attributing his return to the power of fan support. She noted that WWE’s decision not to renew Killings’ contract initially sparked significant backlash from fans, leading to widespread “We Want Truth” chants at WWE events.
This fan pressure ultimately influenced WWE to reconsider, resulting in Killings’ surprising return during the Money in the Bank event. Shotzi highlighted the emotional impact of this turnaround, emphasizing how it demonstrated the fans’ influence on WWE’s decisions. She also touched on the potential for Killings to evolve into an “anti-establishment hero,” leveraging his age and experience to connect with audiences in a new way.
“I do think that they actually let [Ron Killings] go. I just feel like because at the same time Carlito and Sarah Logan, they told them that their contract was wasn’t getting renewed. I think it would be really messed up of WWE to like capitalize on that to, you know.
I think… pic.twitter.com/htQ9vEXbYD
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 10, 2025
She also thinks Truth’s release actually happened because at the same time, Carlito and Sarah Logan were also let go. They must’ve thought it to be just another set of releases, where people would remember the stars for their careers and only mourn. However, the revolt was so huge that they had to work on their contracts and sign back Killings.