Ash by Elegance: From Becoming TNA Knockouts Champion to Being Forced to Retire

WWE Couldn’t have Happened at a Worse Moment

Her stepson, Junior, was a fan. The first time they met, he said to his Dad, Ash’s husband, Ulysses Diaz, “Do you know who she is? I play her in video games.” When Junior was diagnosed with bone cancer in the leg, Ash wanted to stay by his side. He said no, “I love watching you on TV. You give me hope, and you give me motivation to fight.”

That day, she was supposed to be in a PLE, but the decision was reversed. WWE told her they were about to release her from her contract. Once again, her stepson gave her a life lesson at a moment when she was disheartened. Ash says, “He looked at me and he said, ‘You don’t know this, but this is probably the best thing that could happen to you right now.”

Tommy Dreamer Gave Her Vocation Back

After a few months off, taking care of Junior, who’s in remission now, Ash had the call that “saved her life.” TNA Senior Producer and Head of Talent Relations, Tommy Dreamer, called her and said, “Kid, I’ve watched you. You were never given a fair shot.” He took her under his wing. “I was very hands-on with Ash early, like I am with most talents when they come to TNA. And I’m there for a reason. I have to adapt them to a newer system.

Dreamer adds,

“When you lose your job or someone tells you you’re not good enough to be in their company, that also affects you mentally, or you don’t have answers, and then just one day you’re no longer employed. I have to show them that they have worth, they have value, and they have more value than they ever have to a whole other company. It’s different coaches, different eyes on you that see you from a different perspective. And I’ve always seen her as a Champion.”

The Ash by Elegance character is Her Opposite

“Developing this Ash by Elegance character was quite the ride, I must say, because it’s so far from really who I am. But with that being said, it’s so much fun to tap into a side that you aren’t.” Ashley wasn’t used to being booed. “Ash by Elegance” has a certain style and conducts herself with grace, power, and money,” explains The Personal Concierge, George Iceman.

“I’m usually the first person out there wanting to get cheered, high-five kids, but really, I have to channel something completely different. I need them to hate me. I want them to boo me,” confesses Ashley. And that worked.

Struggles to Convince TNA that She Could be the Face of the Company

Having a Knockouts Championship match was a long and difficult process until she was finally able to face Jordynne Grace at Slammiversary 2024.

Dreamer says:

“I always thought Ash was a great in-ring performer and Jordynne was the face of this division. The match that they had really helped elevate Ash to be a real contender to the throne.” Ash adds, “With my ideas and her (Jordynne) ideas coming together, it was magic.”

The TNA Knockouts World Title Match by Elegance ended up convincing TNA.

“It was so entertaining, but they tore it up, and then that was like a defining moment for that management was like, ‘Oh, maybe Ash is the woman.’ I was like, ‘Yeah, dude. She’s been the woman the entire time.'”

Winning the TNA Title in NXT Was Sweet Revenge

Ashley says:

“What they did with me was kind of a slap in the face, but I’m ready to go back and show them why I deserved a chance and why I’m going to go back there and bring that title home. going into NXT land, going into their stadium, into their evening, their big night. That alone is a big deal for TNA. One door closes, another opens,”

WWE released her to make her come back stronger. She showed them why she deserved a chance.

After her NXT Heatwave win, Ash made it clear:

“Bringing home that title means everything for the company because it means that the little engine that couldn’t could. I am so blessed, first and foremost, to be in a promotion that actually gives people a chance. A chance to do what they’ve studied to do what they’ve dreamed about becoming, and that’s here at TNA.”

Retiring but not Leaving TNA

The celebration didn’t last long. “I have the biggest detour that was put in my path that I have to step away from my dream,” she says.

Ash by Elegance is no longer medically cleared to wrestle, but not to let the company down. Ash is still a part of The Elegance Brand, supporting Maggie and Heather on TV.

At a virtual signing event, she announced,

“I might not be in the ring, but I’ll still be busy. TNA has opened its doors for me and allowed me to do things backstage. Just not in the ring. Never say never, so maybe one day again…”

Life may send you curveballs. In the end, like Ash says, “Never give up.”