Kayla Becker is continuing to build her post-WWE career in a new direction, with the former Kayla Braxton outlining three upcoming movie projects: Paper Made, Chicken Head, and Stranglehold.
Becker departed WWE in 2024 after becoming one of the company’s most recognizable broadcast personalities. Since then, she has pursued acting opportunities that align with a longtime interest in horror while also taking on work outside that genre. In an interview conducted in August, Becker discussed where each of the three films stands and what fans can expect from her expanding slate.
The first project she addressed was Paper Made, which Becker described as a martial arts movie. At the time of the interview, she said its premiere was set for that weekend in Tampa.
“One of the movies I did, the premiere is actually this weekend in Tampa. The next one is in September and there’s another one after that,” Becker said. “The one I just did is called Paper Made, it’s a martial arts movie. The premiere is actually this weekend.”
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The description makes Paper Made a notably different entry from the horror-focused work Becker has spoken enthusiastically about since beginning her transition into film. While she did not reveal details about her role, the plot, or the broader cast, the project represents an opportunity for Becker to work within a martial arts setting rather than solely within the suspense and horror lane she has embraced.
‘Chicken Head’ Brings Becker Into Horror Comedy
Becker also highlighted Chicken Head, identifying the project as a horror comedy and making clear that it is a film she is particularly excited for audiences to see. She said the movie was scheduled to arrive in September.
“Then the one, Chicken Head, is my horror comedy. I’m so excited. That one will be coming out in September,” Becker said.
Horror comedy offers a natural meeting point for two elements that have been central to Becker’s public personality: a stated love of the horror genre and a quick, personable presence developed through years of live television work. Her comments did not establish whether Chicken Head has received a wider release beyond the timeframe she mentioned, nor did she disclose story or character specifics. Still, her excitement about the film was unmistakable.
The project is also significant because it places Becker in a genre that demands a particular balance. Horror comedy can require performers to move between tension, absurdity, fear and humor without allowing one tone to overwhelm the other. Becker did not offer a detailed breakdown of the production, but categorizing it specifically as a horror comedy sets it apart from a conventional fright film and from the martial arts backdrop of Paper Made.
‘Stranglehold’ Has Been in the Works for Two Years
The third title on Becker’s list is Stranglehold, a film she said she shot two years ago. Unlike Paper Made, which had a premiere tied to the weekend of her interview, and Chicken Head, which had a September release window, Becker gave no precise arrival date for Stranglehold. She did, however, indicate that it would be coming soon.
“Stranglehold, the one I filmed two years ago, will be coming out soon as well. So just keep an eye out,” Becker said.
The extended gap between filming and release is not unusual in independent and smaller-scale film production, where post-production, distribution plans and release strategies can develop over time. Becker did not provide further information about the reason for the wait, the nature of her part, or a confirmed premiere date. Her update simply establishes that the project remains on the way after being completed two years earlier.
Together, the three movies show that Becker’s acting work is not limited to one production or a single type of role. Paper Made is identified as a martial arts movie, Chicken Head as horror comedy, and Stranglehold as another forthcoming project from earlier in her acting run. The range of titles gives Becker multiple avenues to explore as she develops a body of work away from wrestling television.
Becker’s Horror Favorites Reveal Her Taste in the Genre
Becker’s enthusiasm for horror is not merely a professional consideration. Asked to name some of her favorite movies in the genre, she offered a list stretching from major classics and franchise staples to recent releases. Her selections also reflected an appreciation for horror that can be supernatural, psychological, brutal, suspenseful or darkly comic.
Among the films Becker singled out was Drag Me to Hell, which she called “a great one.” She also cited The Shining as an all-time great, while mentioning Justin Long during the discussion of her genre interests.
“Drag Me to Hell is a great one. I’ve talked about Justin Long. Obviously [The Shining] is an all-time best,” Becker said.
When discussing more recent viewing, Becker praised Talk to Me, Bring Her Back, and Obsession. Her reaction to those titles was emphatic, particularly when she described Talk to Me as “amazing” and called Obsession “absolutely incredible.”
“If we’re talking about recent ones I would say Talk to Me is amazing, Bring Her Back, Obsession which just came out, absolutely incredible,” Becker said.
Her recommendations did not stop with standalone films. Becker also gave a nod to the Friday the 13th franchise, saying she enjoys any of those movies. She additionally named Hush as a “great movie.” The mix is revealing: The Shining stands as a widely celebrated psychological horror landmark, Friday the 13th is a defining slasher series, and Hush is built around a more contained suspense premise. They are different styles of horror, but all fit into a broad genre interest that Becker is now bringing into her own acting work.
Becker was just as direct about a recent movie she did not enjoy. Discussing The Passenger, she offered an unequivocal negative assessment.
“I saw The Passenger recently, don’t your time. It was terrible,” Becker said.
The blunt response was delivered in the same candid spirit as the rest of her horror discussion. Becker did not elaborate on what specifically did not work for her about the film, but the comment underscored that she approaches the genre as an engaged viewer rather than simply as an actor looking for a professional opening.
A New Chapter Following WWE
Before her departure in 2024, Becker was known to WWE audiences as Kayla Braxton, serving in prominent interviewing and broadcast roles. Her work regularly placed her alongside WWE’s biggest names and positioned her as a familiar presence across programming. The move into film marks a meaningful change of medium, but it does not diminish the value of the skills she developed in wrestling.
Live wrestling television requires composure, adaptability and an ability to communicate clearly in unpredictable moments. Acting presents a different challenge, especially in genre projects that can call for character work far removed from the polished, on-camera hosting role wrestling fans knew. Becker’s initial projects demonstrate an interest in accepting that challenge across varied settings rather than restricting herself to an obvious or narrowly defined screen persona.
Her comments also reinforced that horror has a special place in her plans. While Paper Made gives her a martial arts credit, Chicken Head directly connects her with a horror-comedy production, and her extensive list of favorites showed genuine familiarity with the genre’s history and newer releases. Whether through suspense, comedy, supernatural elements or more traditional slasher material, Becker has identified horror as an area she is eager to explore.
For now, the clearest updates are the three titles themselves. Paper Made had a Tampa premiere planned for the weekend of Becker’s August interview. Chicken Head was expected in September. Stranglehold, filmed two years before the interview, remains forthcoming. Becker has urged fans to keep watch for further information as each project reaches audiences.
As she continues establishing her acting career after WWE, the combination of a martial arts movie, a horror comedy and a delayed but anticipated release provides an early indication of the variety Becker is pursuing. Her enthusiasm for horror remains especially evident, and Chicken Head could become a key project for viewers interested in seeing the former WWE personality take a more substantial step into the genre she openly loves.
Darryl Polo
Darryl Polo is a passionate wrestling fan covering WWE, AEW, TNA and beyond. He loves great rivalries, breakout stars and the moments that keep fans talking long after the bell. How we work.