WATCH: Toni Storm's NY debut captured in exclusive behind-the-scenes AEW footage
Toni Storm continues to prove her mettle as one of AEW's most compelling performers. The 29-year-old star recently appeared in a backstage video shared by the company ahead of her match in New York City.
The Tony Khan-led promotion taped this week's special Dynamite on 34th Street, set to air on Christmas Day, on December 22 at the Hammerstein Ballroom. The episode laid the final groundwork for AEW's upcoming pay-per-view Worlds End 2024, and presented multiple Continental Classic matches to that end, among other things.
The Christmas edition of Dynamite also featured a singles match between Taya Valkyrie and Toni Storm, following her interaction with La Wera Loca and the latter's Vendetta ally Deonna Purrazzo on Collision last week. The official X/Twitter profile of All Elite Wrestling recently shared exclusive behind-the-scenes footage of the former Timeless One ahead of her match at the Manhattan Center. The video depicted her interacting with fans and other company personnel, including coach Jerry Lynn and announcer Tony Schiavone.
Storm's conduct throughout the video was in keeping with her current character, who seems to believe that she is a new AEW signee even though she has been with the promotion since 2022 and is a former Women's World Champion. The former WWE Superstar returned after a long hiatus at Dynamite: Winter is Coming, confronting current All Elite Women's World Champion and former protege Mariah May after her title retention against Mina Shirakawa.
AEW Women's Champion Mariah May on her relationship with Toni Storm
Mariah May's betrayal of Toni Storm was one of the highlights of AEW's 2024 programming. The Glamour completed her mission at All In 2024 by defeating her former mentor for the Women's World Title, a belt she retained against another former friend she turned on recently - Mina Shirakawa - at Dynamite: Winter is Coming earlier this month.
However, in light of Storm's comeback immediately after May's victory, things seem to be far from over between the two women. Speaking in an interview with Niko Knows Best, The Fighting Princess emphatically denied having any kind of relationship with The Illustrious One, claiming that Storm had been merely an instrument she had planned to use.
"I've always been a Toni Storm fan, that's why I chose to follow her and to learn everything from her, and to steal her life. I always knew coming in I was going to use Toni Storm. I have no relationship with Toni Storm. Mina [Shirakawa], I love, we're still friends, I love Mina, I gave her a chance, she couldn't get the job done which I'm not surprised. But Toni is not my friend, she's never been my friend, and she never will be my friend." (H/T WrestlingInc.)
It remains to be seen when Toni Storm and Mariah May will lock horns once again, although the match could take place at AEW Grand Slam Australia next year.