Toni Storm may be facing a lengthy absence from All Elite Wrestling, with a new report indicating the situation could be more serious than initially believed.

Storm was pulled from the March 18, 2026 episode of Dynamite at the last minute, raising immediate questions about her condition. According to Fightful Select, she had originally been scheduled to compete but was not medically cleared before the show.

She had been advertised for a No Holds Barred match against Marina Shafir. However, in a sudden change, a backstage segment aired showing Storm laid out in a pool of blood. AEW then confirmed on the broadcast that she was not cleared to compete.

The situation now appears to extend beyond a short-term issue. The report notes that AEW is preparing for the possibility that Storm may not be cleared to return at any point during the remainder of 2026. While no official timeline has been confirmed, the company is already adjusting its creative plans to account for a prolonged absence.

In response, AEW has moved forward with a storyline centered around the unknown attacker responsible for the backstage assault. This angle is expected to play a key role in upcoming programming, providing direction for the women’s division while Storm remains sidelined.

Mina Shirakawa stepped in as Storm’s replacement on Dynamite and defeated Shafir. The focus of the segment quickly shifted from the original match to the mystery surrounding the attack, suggesting that what appeared to be a storyline development may also reflect a real-life situation.

Storm’s absence would represent a significant change for AEW, as she has been a central figure in the women’s division. If the reported timeline holds, the company will need to continue building new storylines and talent in her absence throughout the rest of the year.

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Matt Hardy believes Oba Femi could reach a major milestone in his WWE career if he defeats Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 42.

Speaking on the Extreme Life of Matt Hardy podcast, Hardy shared his thoughts on the match and its importance for Femi’s future. He described a potential victory over Lesnar as a defining moment that could elevate Femi to a new level within WWE.

“I think too, this is going to be like a career defining moment for Oba,” Hardy said. “You know, they do this, and he beats Brock, and it is a career-defining moment, no doubt about it.”

Hardy also spoke positively about how WWE has handled Femi since his arrival on the main roster. He noted that the company has presented him well and avoided early missteps that can often slow down new talent.

“I do not have anything to be critical of so far,” Hardy said. “They have done a good job with him and the way they present him. He has got something going on. And I think even putting him on podcasts, those are really good for new acts. That humanizes them. It lets you peer inside the actual human being that is behind the performer.”

Hardy pointed to the key moment that helped spark the WrestleMania program, when Femi made a strong statement by taking down Lesnar in a quick and decisive fashion.

“That angle of him coming out and dropping Brock just like that, so quickly and explosively, was a big deal for him,” Hardy said.

He added that he expects WWE to handle the match outcome carefully, given its importance.

“I am very confident they will do the right thing,” Hardy said.

WrestleMania 42 is scheduled for April 18 and April 19 at Allegiant Stadium. The match between Femi and Lesnar is expected to be one of the key bouts on the card, with significant implications for Femi’s long-term position in WWE.

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All Elite Wrestling originally planned to announce Will Ospreay’s return as part of the promotional rollout for All In 2026, but that strategy changed when the company decided to use him as a surprise at Revolution, according to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

The report states that Ospreay had been medically cleared roughly two weeks before his appearance at AEW Revolution. However, AEW chose to keep that information private. The original idea was to reveal his return alongside the ticket on-sale for All In 2026 at Wembley Stadium, using his comeback to generate added interest for the event. The pre-sale for All In launched the day after Revolution, while general ticket sales began on March 20.

Instead, AEW shifted direction and brought Ospreay back as a surprise during Revolution. The moment quickly became one of the most talked-about highlights of the show, changing the initial promotional plan but delivering a strong reaction from fans.

Ospreay made an immediate impact upon his return by confronting Jon Moxley, who had just defended the AEW Continental Championship against Konosuke Takeshita. The confrontation set the stage for a major program expected to continue into AEW All In 2026 at Wembley Stadium on August 30.

Meltzer also highlighted the speed of Ospreay’s recovery. He had undergone double fusion neck surgery and was cleared in less than six months, which is considered a fast timeline for that type of procedure. Ospreay had been out of action since September 14, 2025, following an attack by Moxley and the Death Riders inside a steel cage at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door.

The decision to adjust plans reflects AEW’s flexibility in maximizing key moments, with Ospreay’s return now positioned as a major storyline heading into one of the company’s biggest events of the year.

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LA Knight has revealed that he still does not know what his plans will be at WrestleMania 42, but he believes that uncertainty adds to the overall excitement of WWE’s biggest show of the year.

WrestleMania 42 is set to take place in Las Vegas for the second consecutive year. Unlike last year, when Knight entered the event as United States Champion, his direction this time remains unclear. Despite that, Knight said the unpredictable nature of the situation can work in his favor.

“There’s a lot of uncertainty at this time with a lot of things which I think adds to a little bit of the excitement just for the fact that anything can happen. When you’re talking about two years in a row in Las Vegas, that means that if you did one year and it was good and you’re doing the second year, you know, we got outdo the year before. So, we’ll see what that brings and, in the next, we got a month and some change before we get there. So, plenty of time for this to build,” Knight said.

Knight confirmed that WWE has not yet informed him of his plans for WrestleMania. However, he made it clear that being in that position motivates him to deliver at a higher level.

“I’m going to tell you this. I don’t even know what to expect from me at WrestleMania because I have no idea where my direction is, what I’m doing yet. And in a lot of ways, that’s the most dangerous position in the best way. So, what you can expect from me is if you’re going to see me on any show, whether it’s WrestleMania or anywhere, I’m going to do my damn just to make sure that if it’s your first time ever seeing me, you get your money’s worth.”

Knight added that fans attending the event, especially those seeing him for the first time, can expect a memorable experience regardless of the circumstances.

With several weeks remaining before WrestleMania 42, WWE still has time to finalize its plans. Knight’s comments highlight the fluid nature of the card as the company continues to shape its biggest event of the year.

LA Knight Uncertain About WrestleMania 42 Plans But Embraces Opportunity

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