10 Wrestlers Who Could Be The Jokers In The AEW Owen Hart Tournament
5. Nixon Newell
Much like Athena, Tegan Nox's WWE career was marred by injury.
In a harrowing scene, almost her entire knee was destroyed in a 2018 Mae Young Classic quarter-final opposite Rhea Ripley. She tore her ACL, MCL and meniscus, and dislocated her patella. She actually suffered her first knee injury at just 13. If you believed in that sort of bullsh*t, you might think she's cursed. If you're not, you'd still be wary, if it was your money, you'd spent a lot, and your network was in a state of flux, of awarding Nixon Newell a contract.
You'd also agonise over the decision because Newell is so good, or at least was. A very likeable and engaging presence who had the wits to lean into that and wrong-foot the crowd when she worked a very impactful style, she got over big (and challenged various imports for the loudest crowd reaction) when she made her name in WCPW.
Every phase of her run following that was fitful. The cruel irony of course being that, when she worked tirelessly to get back, and make main roster money, she was unceremoniously dumped.
AEW is in desperate need of more women's talent, and the best, restored version of Nixon Newell has Ace potential - but the Joker is presumably going over Britt Baker.
That's an additional risk. Such a booking manoeuvre should only be reserved for acts that Khan wants to push with maximum conviction.
Or are they going over Baker...?
Probability: 55%