News

Taya Valkyrie Joins AEW

By Lyle Kilbane • Published 16th March 2023
Taya Valkyrie

In recent weeks, speculation had ramped up that former IMPACT Wrestling and NXT star Taya Valkyrie was on her way back to WWE or set to join AEW, and now we know exactly where her future lies as she made her debut on Dynamite.

Taya Valkyrie has had a very successful career over the last decade. She has won championships in multiple promotions including Impact Wrestling where she was the longest reigning Knockouts Champion for a record 377 days. Valkyrie is also a two-time and current Knockouts Tag Team Champion.

In February 2021, Valkyrie signed with WWE using the name Franky Monet on the NXT brand. She only wrestled a hand full of times on the brand however before she was released in November of the same year.

Reports had suggested that Valkyrie was either in line for a return to WWE or to turn up in AEW where many have speculated she could be the surprise Canadian challenger for Jade Cargill and the TBS Championship on Dynamite and that was close to happening.

Jade Cargill had set out an open challenge to any Canadian to face her for her title in Winnipeg and that challenge was answered by Nicole Matthews. The dominant champion made quick work of Matthews and then asked if that was all Canada had to offer.

That brought out Taya Valkyrie who stared down the champion until she took to her heels and fled the ring, but that left Leila Grey to be taken out by Valkyrie who dropped her with Cargill’s own Jaded finishing move. It was then later confirmed by Tony Khan on social media that Taya Valkyrie was indeed All Elite.