New details have emerged about Britt Baker’s extended absence from AEW following her surprise return at All In: London, held last Sunday at Wembley Stadium.
According to Fightful Select, sources close to Baker said the decision to stop traveling with AEW in 2024 was hers. The reason behind that choice was not disclosed.
That doesn’t mean the two sides only just reconciled. AEW made multiple attempts to bring Baker back during her time away from programming. Those discussions gained momentum after the Rebel Heart Dynamite special was announced, though earlier efforts had not produced a return.
The special is set for September 9 at Akins Ford Arena in Athens, Georgia. The show will honor Rebel, who was diagnosed with ALS in March, and will raise funds for I AM ALS and Team Gleason.
The landscape around Baker had already been shifting throughout the year. In February, she publicly made it clear she did not consider herself retired. The following month, when a fan called for her AEW return, Baker responded that the decision was not up to her. Tony Khan also said in February that he expected to see her back in the company but stopped short of setting any timeline.
Ultimately, the return was a last-minute affair. Baker didn’t travel to London with the rest of the roster, arriving in the city only on the morning of All In. She showed up at Wembley Stadium past the talent call time.
Baker appeared masked during the TBS Championship match and helped Persephone defeat Maya World. After unmasking, she officially aligned with the new champion.