Toni Storm Injury Update, Timeline for AEW Star's Return Revealed in Latest Rumors

AEW star Toni Storm is reportedly expected to miss the rest of 2026 following her involvement in an injury angle on Wednesday's episode of Dynamite.

Fightful's Sean Ross Sapp reported Friday that Storm is not expected to be "cleared to wrestle again in 2026."

Sapp's report came on the heels of Wrestling Observer Radio's Bryan Alvarez (h/t WrestlingInc.com's Sam Palmer) reporting that Storm was replaced by Mina Shirakawa in her scheduled match against Marina Shafir because of a legitimate injury or issue.

At Revolution last weekend, Storm beat Shafir in a singles bout. After the match, former UFC and WWE star Ronda Rousey shockingly showed up and confronted "Timeless" Toni.

Storm was then supposed to face Shafir in a No Holds Barred match on Dynamite, however, Shirakawa replaced her after Storm was shown laying in a pool of blood backstage.

With Storm now reportedly set to miss at least the next nine months of action, it puts the AEW women's division in a difficult position.

As a four-time AEW women's world champion, Storm is the most decorated woman in the history of the promotion, and she has consistently been among AEW's most beloved and entertaining characters.

It seems likely that Mercedes Moné will be the unquestioned top star in AEW's women's division until Storm returns, while AEW women's world champion Thekla, TBS champion Willow Nightingale and Kris Statlander are among those who could receive a bigger spotlight as well.

The injury could also open the door for Rousey to ascend into a top spot, although her contractual situation with AEW is unclear as she prepares for her return to MMA with a fight against Gina Carano in May.