Mariah May Revels in Dethroning Toni Storm as AEW Women’s Champion

One big thing: Mariah May’s favorite part of winning the AEW Women’s World Championship was ending Toni Storm’s reign.

Why it matters: May’s victory at AEW All In last month marked a significant shift in the women’s division, showcasing a new generation of talent and the culmination of a complex mentor-protégé storyline.

The details:

• May defeated “Timeless” Toni Storm at Wembley Stadium using a high-heeled shoe as a weapon.
• The win represents May’s first world championship in professional wrestling.
• May’s betrayal of Storm followed her Owen Hart Cup victory in July.

What they’re saying:

“Winning the championship is amazing — it’s my first world championship — but the fact that I got to destroy Toni Storm was my favorite,” May said on Barstool’s “Rasslin'” podcast.

The backstory:

• May admitted Storm had done nothing to deserve the betrayal.
• She explained her actions: “It’s all about Mariah, and not Toni Storm.”
• May believed dragging out the betrayal allowed her to hurt Storm more deeply.

The inspiration:

• AEW co-owner Tony Khan has stated the May-Storm storyline is inspired by the 1950 film “All About Eve.
• The film depicts an aging actor being usurped by an obsessive fan, mirroring the wrestling storyline.

The bottom line:

May’s championship win and subsequent comments highlight the brutal nature of professional wrestling storytelling, where personal relationships are often sacrificed for career advancement.

What do you think about Mariah May’s attitude towards her former mentor? Leave a comment below with your thoughts on this championship-winning betrayal.