Will Britt Baker Ever Wrestle Again For Tony Khan and AEW?

With the 2026 women's Owen Hart Foundation Tournament underway, fans are revisiting one of AEW's most puzzling mysteries.

Two weeks ago, All Elite Wrestling revealed this year's bracket. Surprise entrants like Hazuki and Sareee immediately piqued our interest, as Athena and Willow Nightingale became early favorites to win.

Unfortunately, Nightingale sustained a shoulder injury, forcing her to vacate her title and withdraw from the tournament. As such, AEW replaced the former TBS champion with a wild card entrant set to compete against Alex Windsor during the June 3 episode of Dynamite.

Although Mercedes Moné is a safe bet, some fans have predicted that Britt Baker could finally return as the Windsor's mystery opponent. After all, the company was also building anticipation with Nightingale's "Comeback Killer" gimmick, and there were only three big names that could justify such a tease.

However, this raises questions again about Baker's status and whether she will ever appear on AEW programming again.

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Where Is Britt Baker?

To say that the situation surrounding Baker has been strange would be a massive understatement. At one point, the inaugural women's Owen Hart Cup winner was among the biggest stars in the company.

So much so that some fans believed the Pittsburgh native should've been one of its four pillars. Nevertheless, we haven't seen her since her match against Penelope Ford on Nov. 13, 2024, and her 17-month absence is still unexplained.

Earlier that year, Baker revealed that she had suffered a transient ischemic attack that kept her out of action longer than expected. She ultimately returned at Forbidden Door to challenge Moné, but it's unclear if she is dealing with health concerns again.

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The former AEW women's world champion has also been involved in her fair share of controversy. Her on- and off-screen rivalry with Thunder Rosa and her suspension following a heated backstage incident with MJF have both sparked speculation.

Even her last appearance was contentious as she looked straight at the camera and said, "Nobody cares," as Serena Deeb attempted to set up her next feud. This led to rumors that she is "wildly unpopular" in the locker room.

Still, Tony Khan has maintained that she's still on the roster and that he would like to work with her again. When asked about her status during an interview with the Battleground Podcast, he gave a similar response.

"Britt's still somebody very highly regarded and respected here in AEW," Khan said. So, I would expect to see Britt back in AEW. I just don't wanna say when."

What's Next?

Khan doesn't release wrestlers often. Instead, he usually opts to let their contracts expire, so there is plenty of reason to believe Baker will return.

The 35-year-old reportedly signed a five-year deal in 2021. However, she could owe additional time for the 10 months she spent recovering from multiple injuries, potentially making her a free agent in 2027.

Given her last appearance, Moné makes much more sense as a credible participant in the women's Owen Hart Cup. This will likely give her a path back to All In: London and the world title.

Don't close the door on Baker's long-awaited comeback just yet, though. With Toni Storm out for the rest of the year, AEW could use its first legitimate homegrown talent.

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It's still unclear if the embattled star can excel on a much more talented roster. Her feud with Moné was disappointing, but there are so many fresh matchups and opportunities for a wrestler who can cut a strong promo.

A jump to WWE could still be a possibility, but it's hard to imagine how that would play out if she doesn't regain some momentum first. Returning to AEW after a long hiatus with an established fanbase would work better than an introduction to a completely different audience with no buzz.

Baker doesn't have the same element of surprise that Jade Cargill and others enjoyed because they were recently on TV elsewhere. She will have a much tougher road ahead, and questions about her volatility will continue to surround her.

Never say never, though. We've seen more improbable comebacks in pro wrestling, and there isn't enough information to conclude that this is an untenable situation.