Looking back at what could have been, it turns out that three of WWE’s most successful former grapplers, Shayna Baszler, Zoe Stark (now wrestling as Zoe Serrano), and Sonya Deville (now going by the name Daria Rae), were all sold on the dream of Pure Fusion Collective managing all three brands. But the whole of it was short-lived and did not prosper to the lengths they imagined. Talking to a reporter Denise Salcedo, Basler believes the idea for their band was sound, but it just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time.
“I don’t feel like we’ve ever really put the wheels in the ground with it,” Bassler said. “We had such expectations when we were told about this wonderful group. I don’t even know if Zoey and Daria know, Hunter[Triple H]took me aside and said, I say, “I don’t know.” Let me think about it. So we just thought. “Oh man, there are some great ideas…” Then it’s funny to say now because we all know what happened; we didn’t really get off and run. But then we used to say: “Oh man, doomsday is kind of falling apart right now. Maybe we can move to this place…” We had these visions… I think there were so many stories happening at that point in time… especially when it’s a new character or a faction or something, you have to take the time to tell that story, right? And so I think it was a mix of bad timing.”
Initiated on screen by Devil, the Pure Fusion Collective, linked by extensive knowledge and MMA background, all three stars entered the WWE. Their alliance was formed in the summer of 2024 and ended in the late spring of 2025 when Deville’s contract has expired with no option to renew and: Basler has been released from his WWE contract (although he produced, coached and made several on-screen appearances for WWE NXT). About a year later, Stark was also released as part of WWE’s annual WrestleMania cuts.
Since their departures, all three powerhouses have appeared in TNA, where Basler and Serrano reunited to become the new Knockouts World Tag Team Champions. Bound for Fame. As for Rey, he calls the shots for TNA as its director of on-screen operations.
If you use any of the quotes from this article, please credit “Denise Salcedo” with ah/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.