Tony Khan reacts to massive star's unannounced AEW return: "Welcome back"
A popular star made an unannounced return to AEW on this week's edition of Dynamite: Winter is Coming at T-Mobile Center in Kansas City, Missouri. The star in question is Toni Storm. She was absent from television for three months.
After Mariah May won this year's Owen Hart Foundation Women's Tournament, she turned on her mentor and brutally attacked her. The two stars locked horns with each other at the 2024 All In in London Pay-Per-View where The Timeless One put her Women's Championship on the line. The Glamour won the match and following her title loss Storm left the arena and wasn't seen in the promotion, until last night.
On Dynamite, Mariah May successfully defended her Women's Championship against Mina Shirakawa, who she betrayed at Full Gear 2024. Following May's win over her former friend, Toni Storm made a surprise return and shocked everyone. The star came back with her old gimmick.
Following Storm's return on Dynamite, Tony Khan went on X (fka Twitter) to formally welcome back the former Women's Champion:
"Welcome back, Toni Storm! Winter is Coming on TBS Wednesday Night #AEWDynamite!"
AEW star Toni Storm wants a title rematch in Australia
Toni Storm immediately went on a hiatus from AEW after losing her title to Mariah May at All In in London 2024. She never got a rematch for the belt she lost earlier this year. During her absence from All Elite TV, the 29-year-old toured Australia to promote AEW's first event in the Land Down Under, GrandSlam: Australia 2025.
Speaking in an interview with ESPN SportsCenter in September, the recently returned star had expressed her desire to get her rematch against The Fighting Princess in Australia.
"I mean, I hope that's the case. I hope I get my rematch here against Mariah May. We did this on her turf last time in Wembley in London... I think it's time to bring it home for me."
Storm is a New Zealand native so booking the match at GrandSlam 2025 could play out to be a good decision. Plus, the match also has the potential to be the main event bout of the night.