It has been announced that Thunder Rosa is no longer the AEW Women’s World Champion. The news came during the November 23rd edition of AEW Dynamite, and means that Jamie Hayter now assumes the role of World Champion, dropping the Interim tag after winning the gold at Full Gear.
It has also been confirmed that Toni Storm’s run as Interim Women’s Champion which lasted from All Out until will now be recognised as a lineal World Title reign.
Thunder Rosa Out Of Action For A Number Of Months
Thunder Rosa had been scheduled to defend the AEW Women’s World Title at All Out against Storm, but pulled out through injury. She hasn’t appeared on AEW television since. Her hiatus came as the star was surrounded by speculation regarding her conduct backstage and issues with Britt Baker. In Rosa’s absence, Storm was crowned Interim Women’s Champion, a title she held until being defeated by Hayter.
Speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer has now offered an insight into how the situation played out, and when Rosa might be back. Meltzer notes that Storm had been scheduled to beat Rosa at All Out, but the injury obviously changed plans. Rosa was initially given chance to return but when it became clear she wouldn’t be fit before the end of the year, she relinquished the title. Furthermore, it is now expected that the former Women’s Champion won’t be back until February 2023.
“The deal with Rosa was that, when she went down, she was going to lose the title at that pay-per-view (All Out) to Toni Storm. They expected her back November/December, in that timeframe, and I think the feeling was, because of what happened with Punk, where they gave him a couple of months, to be consistent they would have to do the same thing here. Now it’s looking like February, so now I think they’re saying February’s too long.”
After the announcement about the future of the title was made Thunder Rosa took to social media to thank fans for their support.
“Thank you #ThunderArmy for all the support and @aew for being there for me. Dream-like moments happened in this run, and this is not how I wanted to lose the championship, but you deserve a present champion; on to the next chapter.”
Jamie Hayter was back in action of Dynamite where she teamed with Britt Baker to defeat Skye Blue & Willow Nightingale and Tay Melo and Anna J-AS.
H/t to WrestleTalk