Toni Storm’s AEW hiatus impacted major storyline
On the Dynamite after AEW Revolution, Toni Storm was booked for a No Holds Barred match against Marina Shafir. However, Storm was discovered unconscious backstage in her dressing room by Mina Shirakawa who stepped up and attacked Shafir.
Following the program we reported that Storm’s hiatus was not due to an injury and the real reason remains unknown. The latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter reveals more details on the last minute plans that ultimately impacted a potential feud with AEW Women’s Champion Thekla.
Meltzer wrote:
“Toni Storm has been reported as being out of action until 2027. There are a number of stories floating around but it is obviously something that they want to keep under wraps. It is not an injury situation and it came up on 3/18 the day of the show as all plans until the afternoon were for Storm to beat Marina Shafir to lead to the start of a Thekla vs. Toni Storm program for the title. When they found out she could not wrestle, they laid out the injury angle and will be doing a tease akin to Who Shot JR? with clues and such and multiple potential assailants.”
“Storm did an injury angle on television and did an autograph signing over the weekend not selling any injury at all.”
Additionally it appears like Tony Khan refrained to share details about Storm’s reason for indefinite absence, as well as his status as a candidate to buy WWE in 2023.
“I was told outright before even asking about the subject that the two subjects Tony Khan will not talk about are Toni Storm and the story about his company putting in a bid to purchase WWE in 2023,” Meltzer wrote.
The full edition of this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter is available for subscribers here.
EXCLUSIVE: "Timeless" Toni Storm has been taken out backstage ahead of tonight's #AEWDynamite and her No Holds Barred Match with @MarinaShafir! pic.twitter.com/PcsVjwULrt
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) March 18, 2026
Rosanne Raphael is a wrestling writer with over three and a half years of experience covering all things related to the industry. From a kindergarten teacher to PR Associate to turning her lifelong passion for the industry into a career, Rosanne is currently writing for F4W Online where she focuses on wrestling news, analysis, and storytelling.
Rosanne previously contributed to Sportskeeda as an Assistant Content Manager.
When not consumed by wrestling, Rosanne is a musician and an aspiring artist.