Samantha Irvin is close to being free to return to pro wrestling after two years of restrictions from her WWE contract.
According to Fightful Select, AEW has had internal discussions about signing her on several occasions, but there are no plans for an immediate debut.
The report added that she is not expected to sign with AEW as soon as her non-compete clause expires this month.
The non-compete began when Irvin left WWE on October 21, 2024. Unlike wrestlers on traditional contracts, she was an employee of the company.
Dave Meltzer wrote in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter in September that her contract allowed her to leave with two weeks’ notice. But because she left WWE before the end of her three-year deal, the 24-month non-compete clause took effect.
At the time, Meltzer also said he didn’t know whether Irvin would join AEW once the non-compete ended.
Interest in a possible pairing between Irvin and her husband, Ricochet, has also been discussed publicly.
During an interview with Ariel Helwani in September 2025, Ricochet said he believed Irvin would consider an offer from AEW. He explained that she wanted to develop a character on TV instead of continuing to work only as a ring announcer.