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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