Former WWE Women's Champion to debut in AEW and join Jon Moxley's faction? Exploring the chances

The AEW locker room has been put on notice by its World Champion. Jon Moxley and his crew continued their takeover in a major way this past week, and now the rumor mill is picking back up on potential additions to The Blackpool Combat Club. One of the former WWE names being discussed has deep ties to the group.

The Purveyor of Violence violently dethroned Bryan Danielson at WrestleDream to force the end of his full-time career. Moxley joined Marina Shafir, PAC, Wheeler Yuta, and Claudio Castagnoli days later for a Dynamite massacre of The Conglomeration, The Dark Order, and others while The Elite watched in disbelief. Moxley warned that anyone involved with AEW would be targeted as the locker room continued to empty with no luck against the five-person faction.

Marina Shafir can't take on the entire AEW women's division by herself, which points to how the heels need to increase their numbers if they want to take on the entire roster. Shafir seemingly would have no problem finding backup due to her spot in MMA's Four Horsewomen, with Ronda Rousey, Shayna Baszler, and Jessamyn Duke.

The Baddest Woman on the Planet is now being speculated on for AEW's hottest storyline. While she is a free agent these days, Ronda Rousey has said she does not want to return to wrestling full-time. Baszler is obviously unavailable as she's signed to WWE, and Duke has been away from the business, for the most part, since her release in May 2021.

Rousey is still possible for Moxley's takeover because her longtime connection to Shafir leaves the door open, according to proponents of the idea. There's a feeling that the 37-year-old's no-nonsense "Rowdy" persona would also fit the creative direction of the storyline.

UFC's inaugural Women's Bantamweight Champion fueled the rumors and speculation herself this month with a public reaction to a photo of Shafir, Moxley, Yuta, and PAC. Rousey also has a professional link to AEW, as she previously worked for Tony Khan.

Despite retiring after her abrupt WWE departure last year, Rousey shocked the industry by teaming with Shafir to defeat Taya Valkyrie and her old trainer, Brian Kendrick, at an indie show. The two then wrestled Billie Starkz and Athena to a No Contest at another indie show, which led to Rousey's ROH debut coming the next night. Ronda and Marina got the win this time, but Rousey has not worked for Khan since then.

Big Saturday night for AEW

All Elite Wrestling will present the 66th edition of Collision on TNT tomorrow night. The episode was taped on Thursday at Adventist Health Arena in Stockton, CA, along with Battle of the Belts XII, which will air immediately after Collision.

AEW taped nine matches for Collision, along with a few post-match segments. Below is the lineup:

Ricochet vs. AR Fox
Kyle Fletcher vs. Atlantis Jr.
Kris Statlander vs. Harley Cameron
Jamie Hayter vs. Brooke Havoc
Orange Cassidy vs. Bulk Bronson
The Outrunners vs. Rush and The Beast Mortos
The House of Black vs. three enhancement talents
Daniel Garcia and Private Party vs. The Premier Athletes
AEW World Trios Championship Match: The Blackpool Combat Club vs. Top Flight and Action Andretti

AEW taped three matches for the 12th Battle of the Belts special. Continental Champion Kazuchika Okada is set to defend against Kyle O'Reilly, while Women's World Champion Mariah May will face Anna Jay in a Title Eliminator. The Don Callis Family's Brian Cage and Lance Archer will face Jon Cruz and Jack Cartwheel in standard tag team action.

Edited by Jacob Terrell