WWE Debuts Recently Departed AEW Star in Shocking Moment

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Fernando Quiles Jr. | Last updated Jun 3, 2025 10:24 PM ET

A huge AEW star has jumped ship to WWE.

For months, speculation had run rampant on the future of former AEW Women's World Champion Mariah May. Several reports confirmed that May had been in her contract year. Following her "AEW Revolution" loss to "Timeless" Toni Storm, many suspected that May would be WWE bound.

Following a report from PWInsider revealing that May wrapped up her time with AEW, WWE has put "The Glamour" on TV. May made her debut on Tuesday's episode of "NXT." The former AEW star made it clear that her goal is to capture the WWE "NXT" Women's Championship.

SHE'S HERE!!!

THE NXT WOMEN'S DIVISION JUST GOT A LOT MORE GLAMOROUS!!! @MariahMayx #WWENXT pic.twitter.com/A6wRE3SHbS
— WWE (@WWE) June 4, 2025

It's a big loss for AEW, and one that has left some criticizing the company. AEW built May to be a massive star through the storyline with Storm. It had been reported by Fightful that many backstage were surprised the company didn't keep May under contract for a longer period of time, given how strongly she was presented on TV.

May is the latest top wrestling talent to leave AEW for WWE. Other names have included current "NXT" North American Champion Ethan Page, Ricky Starks, Penta, and Rey Fenix.

"NXT's" women's division gets a much-needed boost with May on board. The developmental brand recently lost Stephanie Vaquer and Jordynne Grace to the main roster. May figures to fill the void in terms of star power. She also has enough experience to assist less seasoned up-and-comers.

There is currently no word on who May's first opponent will be or if she will immediately jump into a program with current "NXT" women's titleholder Jacy Jayne, who is a heel. May's popularity soared when she turned heel on the AEW brand, but there's no word on the role she will play to begin her WWE run.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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