The AEW Owen Hart Foundation Women’s Tournament has undergone multiple rounds of reshuffling in 2026, with both original finalists replaced due to separate absences, according to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio.
The original plan was for Toni Storm to win the tournament and challenge Thekla for the AEW Women’s World Championship at All In 2026. Those plans were scrapped after Storm was written off television following the post-Revolution episode of Dynamite, with reports indicating her absence is not injury-related and that she is expected to be out for the rest of 2026.
AEW pivoted to Thekla vs. Willow Nightingale at All In before Nightingale also became unavailable. She vacated the TBS Championship and withdrew from the tournament on the May 20 Dynamite after suffering an injury during a TBS Title defense against Red Velvet on May 16.
The result is a Forbidden Door final consisting of two replacement wrestlers. Mercedes Moné stepped in for Nightingale and Maya World filled in for Sareee, who missed the tournament due to a medical clearance issue. The final takes place at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door on June 28 at SAP Center in San Jose.