Toni Storm's Absence Changed EVERYTHING For AEW (AEW News)
AEW boss Tony Khan had GRAND title plans for the injured Toni Storm at All In 2026.
Dave Meltzer has revealed via Wrestling Observer Radio that Toni Storm was supposed to win the Owen Hart Foundation tournament then challenge Thekla for the AEW Women's Title in a featured bout at Wembley Stadium in London, England at All In 2026 on 30 August.
Boss Tony Khan was forced to completely change his plans when Storm was struck down by a mystery/undisclosed injury in late-March. That also robbed the All Elite chief of a potential match pitting Toni vs. Ronda Rousey (who debuted at Revolution following Storm's match with Marina Shafir).
Pivoting, Khan handpicked Willow Nightingale as a replacement Owen Hart Foundation tourney winner, but she also suffered a shoulder injury and had to withdraw. Mercedes Mone then stepped in as a finalist subbing for Willow, and she'll wrestle Maya World in the women's final at Forbidden Door on 28 June.
Whomever emerges victorious from that match gets a title shot vs. Thekla at All In come August. It's clearly a blow for Storm and for Khan that 'Timeless' won't be involved in the bumper Wembley show. Thekla surely would've enjoyed the chance to work such a featured spot on the card opposite one of AEW's biggest stars too, but it wasn't to be.
Facing Mone (the likely winner vs. Maya World) will soften things.
There's no word yet on a return timetable for Toni. The Observer's Bryan Alvarez did say she'd be out of action for "a long time" when news surfaced that she'd be taking a lengthy sabbatical in March.