Updated

Updated · Fox News · Jul 23

Elayna Black Vows Aug. 23 TNA Lockdown Spot, Targets Xia Brookside's Knockouts Title

Updated

Updated · Fox News · Jul 23

Elayna Black Vows Aug. 23 TNA Lockdown Spot, Targets Xia Brookside's Knockouts Title

Q: Can Elayna Black use her hometown advantage to dethrone the seasoned champion Xia Brookside at Lockdown?

Yes—but only as a plausible edge, not a clear prediction. Black does have a real hometown advantage. She is a Chicago native, trained in the area, and Lockdown is set for Aug. 23 at Credit Union 1 Arena in Chicago. She has made clear that wrestling in front of friends and family gives her “extra motivation,” and the local response appears strong, with more than 1,500 tickets already distributed. In a steel-cage environment, crowd energy and emotional momentum can matter, especially for a wrestler like Black who says hardcore-style matches are “my cup of tea.” That said, dethroning Xia Brookside would still be a major challenge. Brookside is the reigning Knockouts champion after winning the title at Slammiversary on June 28 and has already come through a heated program with Léi Yǐng Lee, including a successful No Disqualification rematch defense on July 9. Her résumé is deeper and more seasoned, with experience across Stardom, NXT UK, the Mae Young Classic and multiple title runs before TNA. The biggest caveat is that a Brookside-Black title match has not been officially confirmed for Lockdown. Black has publicly targeted the championship and warned Brookside to “watch your back,” but wanting the match and having the match are not the same thing. If the bout is made, the cage and the Chicago crowd could give Black her best opening yet. But based on the available facts, Brookside remains the more proven champion, and Black’s hometown boost alone would not make her the favorite.

2 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 23

Aug. 23's Lockdown card in Chicago will include Elayna Black one way or another, the hometown wrestler said, adding that Xia Brookside should "watch your back" as she eyes the Knockouts title.
Chicago and the all-steel-cage format are driving Black's push: she said cage and hardcore matches are her strength, citing her fandom of Jon Moxley, a deathmatch before signing, and prior WarGames experience.
Brookside enters Black's sights just after winning the Knockouts championship from Lei Ying Lee at Slammiversary, setting up a possible title clash at TNA's next pay-per-view.
Lockdown is scheduled for Credit Union 1 Arena, where every match will be contested inside a steel cage, giving Black what she called extra motivation in front of friends and family.