Update On Thunder Rosa’s AEW Status

The contractual status of Thunder Rosa has been fuelled with rumours and misconceptions, but it seems she’s sticking around for a while longer.

Thunder Rosa hasn’t appeared on AEW programming since she temporarily gave up the AEW Women’s World Championship, doing so ahead of her scheduled title clash with Toni Storm at All Out. She’s injured, though the exact nature of her medical status isn’t known.

What is known, though, is Thunder Rosa’s situation as it pertains to the company as a whole – she isn’t going anywhere. News circulated on 7 September that Rosa had requested her release, but this was quickly shot down. Fightful’s Sean Ross Sapp, and the Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer and Bryan Alvarez all dispelled the rumour.

Anyway the report that Thunder Rosa asked for her release is not true.

— Dave Meltzer (@davemeltzerWON) September 7, 2022

How long, exactly, Thunder Rosa has left with AEW remains a mystery. She signed with the Tony Khan-helmed promotion on 22 July 2021, having been working on a per-date deal since the prior September.

The then-NWA World Women’s Champion first appeared for AEW ahead of All Out 2020, where she wrestled Hikaru Shida. Rosa has since contested career-defining bouts with Dr Britt Baker, D.M.D, one of which – their 2021 Lights Out match – is celebrated as a benchmark in women’s wrestling history.

News of Thunder Rosa’s injury came alongside reports of her having heat with both Baker and Jamie Hayter. It’s believed her issues with Hayter came after Rosa broke her nose in August, while she and Baker appear to have had beef between each other for well over a year.