4-Time WWE Champion Open To AEW Move Following Release

A former WWE star recently admitted that they were open to joining AEW.

Charlie, fka Dakota Kai, was among the list of several wrestlers released by the Stamford promotion on May 2, 2025.

She has not stepped inside the squared circle ever since, having last wrestled in March of that year.

In December, Pro-Wrestling: EVE, a British independent women’s professional wrestling promotion, revealed that Charlie would return to action at Wrestle Queendom 8 at The O2 Arena on March 8.

She will face former AEW Women’s Champion Kris Statlander.

While speaking on a recent Busted Open podcast with David LeGreca and Nic Nemeth, the 37-year-old was asked about a future in either TNA or AEW, to which she replied that she was open to all possibilities.

Once I get back into it, [TNA and AEW] and so many more have people that I would love to face in the ring. I haven’t really pinpointed it to any particular thing, I just think once I do this match and get the wheels turning, wherever my path may lead, I’m open to it completely.

Charlie is a 4-time WWE Champion, having won the NXT and Raw tag titles each twice.

Will Ospreay Reveals Reaching Out To Former WWE Star

AEW star Will Ospreay serves as a producer for Pro-Wrestling: EVE while also known for being a member of the creative team.

During a virtual appearance on a recent podcast with Grapple Theory, the 32-year-old revealed how he was able to book former WWE star Charlie for a match at Wrestle Queendom 8.

I wanted to try and find a wrestler that wasn’t attached to any other major company. I just had this moment, ‘Dakota Kai doesn’t work there now. I wonder if she’s free.’

I didn’t see anything because she doesn’t really post that much. I think she has a Twitch stream. I just dropped her a message and said, ‘What are the chances of making this happen?’ She got back to me right away. Super eager to do it.

The back and forth between us was so good. She really wants to come to EVE and celebrate this huge show and really wanting to wrestle Kris Statlander.

H/T: Fightful