Anna Jay Update Raises New Questions About Her AEW Future as Contract Expiration Nears

Anna Jay’s status in AEW has quietly shifted into a much more uncertain place, and a new update added new context to why her absence from television may not be accidental.

Earlier reporting had suggested Anna Jay’s AEW contract would run into Spring 2026, but Dave Meltzer clarified in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that her deal is actually up much sooner. According to Meltzer, her contract expires early in the new year, and internal conversations have already started to change around her situation.

Meltzer noted that Anna Jay has not been on AEW television since her loss in the women’s tag team tournament, and that absence has stood out internally.

“Anna Jay’s contract is up early in the new year and talk is that she’s open to other options. It is notable she hasn’t been on television since losing in the tag team tournament. And she’s not on the women focused on.”

He went further, suggesting that AEW’s approach to talent nearing the end of their contracts could explain why she hasn’t been brought back into the mix.

“If she doesn’t sign a new deal, I would doubt she would be put back on television since that’s Tony Khan’s M.O.”

Meltzer also cautioned against assuming a WWE landing spot is automatic, especially given the current depth of the women’s divisions across the industry.

“Obviously WWE, but WWE has of late only expressed interest in people they see as top of the line talent from AEW or TNA… talent from each side that has inquired has been told they are full.”

He added that while exceptions do happen, they are rare and reserved for talent WWE believes can truly stand out.

“There are always exceptions if they think you are a difference maker.”

Even in that scenario, Meltzer noted that Anna Jay would almost certainly begin in WWE NXT, where competition is already intense.

“She’d start almost for sure in NXT, and while everyone gets the honeymoon pop, NXT is so loaded and also filled with so many top level athletes.”

That reporting set the stage for a follow-up update on February 7, when Sean Ross Sapp addressed Anna Jay’s status during a Fightful Select Q&A. Sapp was not asked about WWE interest specifically, but rather about her absence from AEW television and whether anything was happening behind the scenes. Sapp made it clear he has heard nothing regarding creative plans for her in AEW, before offering his own opinion on where she could fit if she becomes available.

“I have not heard that she’s been around a bunch or anything. She hasn’t been used on TV. I haven’t heard of any creative plans or anything like that. Her deal is up in a few months, I believe. If I were NXT, I’d be trying to get her, because I think she’d be perfect for it. I know a lot of people think, ‘Oh my God, well she’s dating Jack Perry,’ no — they’ll hire whoever. They don’t care if anybody’s got an issue.”

Importantly, Sapp did not report WWE contact or negotiations. His comments were framed as analysis based on her usage, contract timing, and fit, not confirmation of talks or an impending exit from All Elite Wrestling.

Still, when Meltzer’s contract clarification is paired with Sapp’s update, the picture becomes clearer. Anna Jay is nearing the end of her deal, has no known creative plans, and remains off AEW television at a time when contract decisions matter most.

With her timeline now reportedly much shorter than expected and no clear direction in place, Anna Jay appears to be approaching a real crossroads in her career. Whether AEW makes a move to keep her, or she ultimately explores what comes next, may become one of the more quietly telling contract situations to watch in the coming months.

What do you think is the best next step for Anna Jay — should AEW find a way to reinsert her into the women’s division, or would a fresh start elsewhere give her the opportunity she’s been missing?