AEW has had to make a late change to the Women’s Owen Hart Foundation Cup Tournament. A planned participant did not receive medical clearance to stamp her mark in the tournament.
The adjustment comes just hours before AEW Dynamite: Summer Blockbuster, where a highly anticipated tournament match was scheduled to take place.
The affected bout would have featured Sareee against Skye Blue in a first-round tournament contest. However, concerns surrounding Sareee’s health have now altered those plans. Moreover, this has opened a window of opportunity for another competitor to step into the spotlight.
Sareee removed from Owen Hart Tournament after failing medical clearance
AEW President Tony Khan announced on X that Sareee did not receive medical clearance from AEW’s medical team. As a result, she has officially been withdrawn from the 2026 Women’s Owen Hart Foundation Cup Tournament.
According to previously reported information, Sareee had been dealing with a neck injury leading into the event. Despite her hopes of competing, the final decision rested with AEW medical personnel, who determined she was not fit to enter the ring.
The news comes shortly after Sareee discussed her condition in an interview with Tokyo Sports. In that interview, she acknowledged that her neck was not at full strength ahead of her planned return to the United States. Japanese wrestling legend Masahiro Chono had also publicly advised her against taking the risk of wrestling while injured.
With Sareee sidelined, AEW quickly named a replacement. Maya World will now take her place against Skye Blue in the Women’s Owen Hart Cup quarterfinal on the June 10 edition of Dynamite. Although Sareee had traveled with tag team partner Takumi Iroha as a potential backup option, Maya World ultimately received the tournament spot.
The revised Dynamite card from the Andrew J. Brady Music Center in Cincinnati also includes Jon Moxley defending the Continental Championship against Shane Taylor, Swerve Strickland facing Brody King in an Owen Hart Cup semifinal, PAC versus Mark Briscoe, and Orange Cassidy taking on Andrade El Idolo.
For now, Sareee’s tournament hopes are on hold as recovery takes priority.
READ MORE: Killer Kross Comments on Possibly Working With AEW
