• Released WWE Star Lands Role In Machine Gun Kelly’s Music Video
Elayna Black, formerly known to WWE fans as Cora Jade, continues to take on projects outside wrestling as her in-ring future remains undecided.
Black revealed that she appears in the latest music video from Machine Gun Kelly. She is featured in the video for the song ‘Times Of My Life,’ marking one of her more high-profile appearances since leaving WWE.
Got a sick opportunity to be a part of this for @machinegunkelly go check it out ❤️🔥 https://t.co/1tpXRVSVU8
— Brie Coda (@ElaynaBlack) January 2, 2026
Cora Jade was released from WWE in 2025 after establishing herself as a prominent name in NXT. Following her departure, she stated that she would be stepping away from wrestling rather than immediately pursuing bookings elsewhere.
Since then, she has focused on subscription-based content platforms like OnlyFans, where she has reportedly become the highest-earning woman from wrestling through fan subscriptions. That financial success allowed her to purchase her first home in September 2025, just months after her WWE exit.
• Joe Hendry’s SmackDown Segment Proves Vince McMahon Is Still Running WWE
Former WWF/WCW/TNA writer Vince Russo believes Vince McMahon still has influence over WWE’s creative direction, and he pointed to a recent SmackDown segment as evidence.
McMahon officially stepped away from WWE twice – first in July 2022 amid a hush money investigation, then again in January 2024 following allegations outlined in Janel Grant’s lawsuit. Despite those exits, Russo argued on his The Coach & Bro Show podcast that McMahon was never truly gone.
Russo claimed that WWE’s leadership changes were more about optics than actual control. He suggested that internal votes against McMahon were meant to reassure shareholders, not remove his authority, adding that McMahon still held leverage behind the scenes.
To support his belief, Russo pointed to a recent SmackDown parody segment involving Joe Hendry. Russo highlighted the comedic tone and lyrics of the segment – particularly Hendy’s concert centered around The Miz’s tiny balls – saying that the style closely matched McMahon’s long-established sense of humor.
According to Russo, that type of humor has historically come directly from McMahon, and seeing it featured prominently on SmackDown convinced him that McMahon remains creatively involved.
Russo concluded by saying McMahon likely finds it amusing that many fans believe he has been completely removed from WWE operations, insisting that nothing he’s seen suggests McMahon has truly stepped away.
“Did you hear the lyrics to Joe Hendry’s SmackDown song? The entire song was built around Miz’s ‘tiny balls.’ Who does that sound like to you? Who would be cracking up in the gorilla position over something like that?
Give me a break. This guy is still involved. Vince is somewhere slapping his leg, thinking this is hysterical. Everything we’ve learned tells us he’s never truly not been involved.”
• WWE Dropped A Major Plan For Gunther
WWE’s long-term plans for Gunther shifted more than once in 2025.
The company originally expected Gunther to generate overwhelming negative reaction after defeating John Cena in Cena’s retirement match. While the finish achieved its purpose, the audience response reportedly fell short of what WWE had anticipated.
According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer, WWE had actually explored taking Gunther in the opposite direction earlier. Meltzer reported that a babyface turn was briefly discussed internally before Gunther underwent surgery after his SummerSlam 2025 loss to CM Punk for the World Heavyweight Championship.
Those discussions were ultimately dropped well before other creative changes took place. Meltzer noted that the idea was shelved prior to Ludwig Kaiser adopting the El Grande Americano role following Chad Gable’s injury.
Gunther defeated R-Truth via submission on this week’s RAW.
