Former WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Kairi Sane is reportedly in talks with Tony Khan’s AEW about a new deal.
Regarded as one of the most talented female Japanese wrestlers of the modern era, Kairi Sane parted ways with WWE earlier this year. As part of The Kabuki Warriors with Asuka, the duo were part of the most talked-about storylines on WWE television before the promotion decided to abruptly drop it.
Sane parted ways with WWE earlier this year in Apr. 2026 and remained away from in-ring work. Recently modelling and actively taking part in photoshoots, Sane is now rumored to join Tony Khan’s AEW.
Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select recently reported that Sane’s representatives have been in contact with AEW. “There are a number of companies currently interested in the Japanese star, including outside of the United States,” Ross Sapp wrote in his report. “When we spoke to sources familiar with the situation, we were told Marigold is not expected to end up as Kairi’s home in Japan.”
As of this writing, there has been no confirmed update on the former WWE NXT and IWGP Women’s Champion joining the All Elite roster. In the last few months, several former WWE wrestlers have joined AEW, some of whom include Andrade El Idolo, Tommaso Ciampa, Motor City Machine Guns, and many more. Now, Sane and Ilja Dragunov are top wrestlers who are rumored to join AEW.
Former WWE star Kairi Sane addresses her wrestling future
Last month, in Aug. 2026, ahead of AEW All In 2026, Sane spoke with Weekly Pro Wrestling’s Special Edition magazine, RING PLUS vol.14, where she discussed her future (H/T The Takedown on SI).
“I’ve received offers from so many promotions around the world that I can’t even count them on both hands,” Kairi told. “I actually met with the people who reached out from Japan. I haven’t made a final decision yet. I’m prepared to complete a new story from here, all the way to the end.”
Regarded as one of the most talented female Japanese wrestlers of the modern era, Kairi Sane parted ways with WWE earlier this year. As part of The Kabuki Warriors with Asuka, the duo were part of the most talked-about storylines on WWE television before the promotion decided to abruptly drop it. Sane parted ways with WWE earlier this year in Apr.