Mercedes Mone retains at AEW WrestleDream 2026: has the next AEW Women’s World Champion even signed yet?

AEW

After retaining her AEW Women’s World Championship at AEW WrestleDream 2026, the woman that will beat Mercedes Mone may not be signed yet.

Able to best Thekla to retain the AEW Women’s World Championship, it seems that there is no slowing down Mercedes Mone.

While the roster is full of talent, it could be the woman who eventually takes down the CEO hasn’t even signed to AEW yet.

Could Kairi be coming soon?

After her WWE departure became official in August 2026, fans immediately began to wonder if Kairi could be headed to AEW.

With speculation swirling that the former WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion could debut as soon as WrestleDream 2026, it didn’t come to be.

However, in the end there was no surprise debut from the star with reports suggesting she has yet to sign with the company.

The Bayley Potential

While Bayley has returned to WWE TV, reports still note that she has not officially re-signed a new contract with WWE.

Instead with her contract reportedly expiring at the end of 2026/early 2027 – she could end up All Elite sooner rather than later.

It is worth noting that some reports have suggested Bayley and WWE are likely to agree to an extension but that pen hasn’t been put to paper just yet.

Rising AEW stars

If it is going to be a current AEW talent that ends up ending Mone’s reign as women’s world champion, there are several top contenders.

With Maya World revealing on the AEW WrestleDream 2026 pre-show that she was cleared for an in-ring return, perhaps a feud with the CEO is on the horizon.

Elsewhere, injury to Jamie Hayter could free up her tag team partner Alex Windsor for her own singles run against Mone.

Able to showcase other rising stars like Dani Luna, Hyan and Megan Bayne – the CEO still has to watch her back with the women currently in AEW.

Waiting on the return of Toni Storm?

Another possibility is that Mercedes Mone’s run as AEW Women’s World Champion will continue until the return of another highly popular star from the division – Timeless Toni Storm.

While details regarding Storm’s expected return timeline have been kept relatively quiet, speculation has continued that she will remain out of action through 2026 and into 2027.

With Mercedes Mone in need of an interesting new storyline after her most recent battle with Thekla, time will tell who will end up becoming her next challenger.

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