WWE Eye Up Ex-AEW Star For Surprising Role

WWE appear to be interested in signing a former AEW star, but not for the role that you might expect.

Leyla Hirsch left AEW at the end of February 2025 when her contract with the company came to an end. Hirsch made her debut for the company in October 2020 before officially becoming All Elite the following March.

The Russian star was initially a regular presence across AEW television, but her momentum took a hit when she sustained a torn ACL in early 2022. After being out of action for over a year, Hirsch returned in July 2023 and was mostly used in Ring of Honor from that point forward.

Ex-AEW Star To Referee In WWE?

Fightful Select has reported that WWE reached out to Leyla Hirsch to offer her a tryout with the company. However, that tryout wasn’t for a spot on the roster but rather as a referee. Some in WWE learned the offer was made in the middle of June, but it remains unknown if Hirsch took them up on the offer or if the tryout had already taken place.

It was noted that, despite being rare, starting as a WWE referee doesn’t necessarily mean the end of an in-ring wrestling career. Jessika Carr worked as a WWE referee for several years before she made her wrestling debut as Kalyx on the EVOLVE brand in 2025.