Tony Khan interested in KAIRI as AEW plans return for Toni Storm

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After introducing two high-profile former WWE titleholders at two of their past three PPVs, a lot of folks hope AEW president and head of creative Tony Khan isn’t done signing big-name free agents. That’s why this report was boosted before WrestleDream Saturday: Former World of Stardom, IWGP & NXT Women’s, WWE NXT and Women’s Tag champ KAIRI, fka Kairi Sane, has been a free agent for months. The above isn’t the first time she and AEW have been linked by wrestling media or fans. Naturally, Khan was asked about KAIRI at the post-PPV media scrum early Sunday morning (Oct. 18). He replied: “She’s a fantastic wrestler. I can’t speak to that at this time but I am very aware and excited to see that she’s a free agent. I think that that’s very, very interesting, and I’m very intrigued by the possibility of that.” Another inquiry from the media assembled in Orlando, Florida’s Addition Financial Arena this morning was about someone whose presence is greatly missed at scrums, and any other time cameras are on AEW — Timeless Toni Storm. The four-time AEW Women’s World champion is already under contract, of course. But she mysteriously disappeared seven months ago after a backstage attack angle, and amidst reports that she’d be out a long time but wasn’t injured. TK’s answer doesn’t give anything away about Juice Robinson’s wife’s absence, but it also doesn’t refute the prevailing theory about why she’s out: “Timeless Toni Storm is certainly on a lot of our minds, and I can’t say when or where, but I know Timeless Toni Storm will be back in AEW and looking to get payback for whoever it was that took her out.” The boss also praised the women’s division for stepping up in Storm’s absence, and really, women’s wrestling in AEW is remarkably upgraded from where it was five years ago. That’s due to both free agent acquisitions and growth of existing AEW talent. Bringing in KAIRI and welcoming back Storm will make it even better, but also create more of a time crunch. Let us know if you think TK should sign the Pirate Princess, how excited you are about the Timeless One’s return, and/or share your evaluation of the AEW women’s scene in the comments below… or with a longer take in The Feed!