Wild Card Entrant For AEW Women’s Owen Hart Tournament

AEW/WWE

On the May 20 edition of AEW Dynamite and Collision, Willow Nightingale announced that she had suffered a serious shoulder injury that forced her to relinquish the TBS Championship and remove herself from the Owen Hart Women’s Tournament.

This led to an announcement that a special “Wild Card” entrant would replace Nightingale in this year’s tournament.

In the past, the Wild Card entrant in the Owen Hart Cup has traditionally been a debuting or returning star, so it could be any number of names who fill this spot this year.

Here are ten potential Wild Card entrants for the AEW Women’s Owen Hart Tournament.

10. Harley Cameron

At the tailend of 2025, Willow Nightingale teamed with Harley Cameron to form the Babes of Wrath in the AEW Women’s World Tag Team Championship Tournament.

Then at AEW Dynamite: Winter Is Coming 2025, Babes of Wrath made history by defeating The Timeless Love Bombs in the tournament finals to become the inaugural AEW Women’s World Tag Team Champions.

After losing the titles to Divine Dominion, Babes of Wrath went their separate ways with Cameron being lost and alone without Nightingale.

Now that Willow is on the shelf with a shoulder injury, it might be time for Harley to step up and take her place as the Wild Card entrant in the Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Tournament.

9. Kris Statlander

Kris Statlander is Willow Nightingale’s best friend and someone who has been closely tied to her throughout her time in All Elite Wrestling.

Whether it be as an opponent or a partner, Statlander has been connected to Nightingale and could step in her place in the Owen Hart Cup.

While Statlander has the opportunity to become a two-time AEW Women’s World Champion at Double Or Nothing 2026, her failure in the four-way match at the event could lead to her getting another opportunity through the tournament.

Statlander stepping in for Willow would be very fitting based on their time together as best friends and could see her work her way back to the top of the AEW women’s division at All In: London 2026.

8. Jamie Hayter

Another participant in the AEW Women’s World Title four-way match at Double Or Nothing 2026 is Jamie Hayter.

After returning to All Elite Wrestling, Hayter tried to find her way back to the AEW Women’s World Championship by entering the 2025 Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Tournament.

If she comes up short in the title match at the PPV, Hayter could get her way back into the tournament to get another opportunity to get a shot at the gold in her home country.

With an AEW Women’s World Title shot up for grabs at All In: London 2026, Hayter could step in as the Wild Card in the Owen this year and might be a favorite to win the whole thing.

7. Hikaru Shida

The other challenger in the AEW Women’s World Championship four-way match at Double Or Nothing 2026 is Hikaru Shida.

Since making her return to All Elite Wrestling, Shida has proven to be one of the more intriguing characters on AEW TV.

The former three-time AEW Women’s World Champion has put herself in position to get a huge opportunity to walk into All In: London 2026 as the titleholder.

However, a loss at Double Or Nothing 2026 could lead to Shida being the Wild Card in this year’s Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Tournament.

6. Riho

Riho has been someone who always gets the call to make her return to All Elite Wrestling when the company needs her.

The first ever AEW Women’s World Champion has had more of an inconsistent presence on the company’s programming over the past several years.

Considering her lengthy absence from AEW it feels like the right time to bring her back into the promotion for the Owen Hart Cup.

Being a returning star on the roster, Riho would be a worthy individual to compete in the Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Tournament this year.

5. Nyla Rose

Another former AEW Women’s World Champion who could make their return in the Owen Hart Cup is Nyla Rose.

The former AEW Women’s World Champion hasn’t appeared on the company’s television since November 2024.

After over a year-long absence from All Elite Wrestling, it feels like the right time to have “The Native Beast” come back to the company.

Rose returning to the promotion as the Wild Card in the Women’s Owen Hart Tournament would make sense considering her recently announced appearance for Marigold later this year.

4. Dani Luna

After two years with the company, Dani Luna left TNA Wrestling and is now officially a free agent.

Luna has made a name for herself in TNA and across the independent scene as one of the most talented and impressive in-ring competitors.

With her unique look and undeniable intensity, Luna has been a standout anywhere she has gone throughout her career.

Considering many fans have been asking for AEW to bring her in, Luna feels like someone who would be able to excel as the Wild Card entrant in the Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Tournament and have a good chance to win.

3. Charlie (Dakota Kai)

After nearly a year away from the ring, Dakota Kai, now known as Charlie, made her return to the squared circle at EVE: Wrestle Queendom VIII.

Taking Kris Statlander to the limit on this night. Charlie showcased why she was considered one of the most underrated female stars on the WWE roster prior to her release in May 2025.

Getting a stamp of approval from Statlander and Will Ospreay, it should only be a matter of time before Charlie gets signed and could make an impact on the AEW women’s scene.

Coming in as the Wild Card in the Owen Hart Cup, Charlie could make an immediate difference in the women’s division and earn the opportunity to challenge for the AEW Women’s World Championship at All In: London 2026.

2. Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D.

Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D. has not appeared on AEW television since November 2024.

After over a year away from All Elite Wrestling, it feels about time for Baker to be brought back into the fold.

With the likes of “Timeless” Toni Storm and Willow Nightingale currently on the shelf, Baker is the kind of star that the AEW women’s division desperately needs right now.

Making her return as the Wild Card in the Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Tournament, Baker would immediately become one of the favorites to win for the second time and advance to Wembley Stadium for a shot at the top prize in the AEW women’s scene.

1. Mercedes Moné

Many fans were surprised to see the Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Tournament bracket not include Mercedes Moné this year.

Last appearing in January 2026, Moné has been trying to regroup after losing the TBS Title and the rest of her championship collection.

“The CEO” felt the individual to be the odds-on favorite to win this year’s Owen and advance to win the one title that has eluded her since signing with All Elite Wrestling.

Mone returning as the Wild Card entrant feels like a no-brainer move that would position her to be the number one contender for the AEW Women’s World Championship at All In: London 2026.

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• AEW
• Owen Hart Cup Tournament

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