AEW Signs Taya Valkyrie - Former WWE & IMPACT Star Debuts On Dynamite!

Taya Valkyrie debuted on last night's AEW Dynamite, challenging TBS Champion Jade Cargill.

by Andy H Murray
Taya Valkyrie
AEW

Taya Valkyrie is #AllElite, signing with AEW after debuting on last night's Dynamite.

The former IMPACT Wrestling and WWE star had been heavily rumoured as Jade Cargill's mystery TBS Championship opponent. Cargill was lined up against a mystery Canadian opponent on Dynamite, which took place in Winnipeg. With Valkyrie recently declaring herself a free agent, cancelling an Australian indie tour in the process, the stars appeared to be aligning for her.

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Indie legend Nicole Matthews turned out to be Jade's opponent instead. Squashed in a matter of seconds, Matthews offered scant opposition in her return to American wrestling, leading to Cargill asking if she was the best Canada had to offer after the bell.

Enter Taya, who went face-to-face with Jade, seemingly establishing a future TBS Title fight.

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AEW founder Tony Khan has welcomed Taya to the team via the customary tweet:-

Meanwhile, the Canadian's AEW debut match has been announced for Rampage, where Valkyrie will face Ava Lawless.

Fightful Select reported around the time of Khan's tweet that Valkyrie had either signed a long-term AEW deal - or intended to do so. The outlet notes that Taya had informed other companies she had been working with of her plans, with promotions made aware of her intentions as far back as February.

 
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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.