Big update on plans for Toni Storm's new AEW gimmick - Reports
Toni Storm has returned to AEW with a strong buzz. After months of competing in other promotions, the multi-time All Elite champion made her comeback this past week with a significant creative twist. Sources are now revealing what's planned for Storm and her not-so-new gimmick.
Timeless Toni arrived in October 2023 and quickly became a fan favorite. Storm had been with AEW for more than one year, but the praise was immense for how she mastered the gimmick of a paranoid starlet from Hollywood's Golden Age. Tony Khan himself publicly lauded the former NXT UK Women's Champion for her work as Timeless Toni. Storm went on hiatus after dropping the AEW Women's World Championship to Mariah May at All In in late August but worked three Stardom shows and one CMLL show between late September and mid-October.
Storm, wearing her older gear, shocked fans and wrestlers when she returned to Dynamite at Winter Is Coming this past Wednesday, right after May retained the Women's World Championship over Mina Shirakawa in the main event. The 29-year-old beat Harley Cameron on the Winter Is Coming Rampage, then defeated Shazza McKenzie on the Winter Is Coming Collision. Still sporting her former look, Storm declared after the match that she was All Elite. She also had odd interactions with Thunder Rosa and Tony Schiavone, who appeared to be strangers to Storm.
The Illustrious is now working an amnesia gimmick in AEW. The Wrestling Observer adds that the current plan for Storm's comeback angle involves her reverting back to Timeless Toni, but it remains to be seen when the pay-off will happen.
Storm's character right now believes she's new to AEW, but she has flashbacks due to amnesia and has no recollection of anything that's previously happened. Storm was praised for having the skills to make the Timeless gimmick work as good as she did, so it will be interesting to see how successful she is with the amnesia angle.
AEW Dynamite Holiday Bash updated lineup
All Elite Wrestling will present its fifth annual Holiday Bash Dynamite on Wednesday from the Entertainment & Sports Arena in Washington, DC. Below is the updated lineup:
- We will hear from MJF
- Continental Classic Blue League: Shelton Benjamin vs. The Beast Mortos
- Continental Classic Gold League: Will Ospreay vs. Darby Allin
- TBS Championship Match: Mercedes Moné (c) vs. Anna Jay
The fourth annual Holiday Bash Rampage will also be taped, to air on Friday night in the usual TNT timeslot. The only match announced as of this writing is Brody King vs. Komander in C2 Gold League action.