Former WWE star Shayna Baszler has commented on the possibility of joining rival promotion AEW.
Baszler was among the many names released at the start of May 2025 and one of the more high-profile departures. Now a free agent, the former Women’s Tag Team Champion is free to compete at any promotion she chooses. Given that AEW is the second-biggest promotion in the United States and that the former MMA fighter has history with Marina Shafir, who is also signed with the company, there have been rumours that Baszler could become All Elite.
While speaking with Ariel Helwani, Baszler first confirmed that there have been talks with other promotions, while also referencing her history with Shafir:
“There have been talks. There are some indie companies that, at the time I signed with WWE, it was for the Mae Young Classic. We did the Mae Young Classic and I hadn’t officially signed on full-time yet. The discussion or understanding at that time was, ‘Just sign and when you need to drop all those titles on the indies, we’ll let you go back and take care of those.’ That never came to fruition and these companies have reached out and been like, ‘Hey, remember that title?’ There have been some talks. Obviously, it’s not a secret, I’m really good friends with Marina (Shafir). I have a lot of friends there (at AEW). There have been some discussions as to what the future could hold.”
Is Shayna Baszler Open To Joining AEW?
Later in the interview, Baszler was asked on the possibility of joining AEW, to which she responded that to her, the letters of the promotion are irrelevant as long as she can compete:
“I’ve said almost exactly this statement when people were talking about UFC to WWE transition, I don’t care as much about the letters behind it. I just want to practice my craft and if I can do that alongside my friends, that’s always a great place to be. I’m not going to say a hard no to any of that.”
Baszler joined WWE back in 2017 and remained with the company until her release earlier in the year. Along with 3 reigns as Women’s Tag Team Champion, Baszler was also the first-ever 2-time NXT Women’s Champion. Baszler also made multiple appearances at Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport, and is undefeated at the event.
H/t to Fightful for the use of transcriptions.
Featured image: WWE
