Three women that could be The Joker in the AEW Owen Hart Tournament

The Owen Hart Foundation Tournament is a beautiful tribute to a talented professional wrestler that the industry lost way too soon. It’s also a fantastic opportunity for AEW to show off some of the best members of the roster. Former champion, Britt Baker is in the first round but she is set to take on The Joker entrant. Fans are curious about what surprise will walk through the curtain when that match occurs, and here are three women that would be a pleasant surprise.

Nixon Newell

The woman formerly known as Tegan Nox was one roster cut that upset many individuals within the WWE. She was a fan favorite who never had the opportunity to show how great she was because of frequent knee injuries. When she was brought to the main roster in November of 2021, it looked like this was a chance to see her in a brighter spotlight. Unfortunately, her team with Shotzi Blackheart was suddenly split, she was drafted to Raw and released before ever having an opportunity to appear on the show.

Now, Nixon Newell is someone that fans would welcome as The Joker. She’s an individual that is talented, having shown the skills to be a strong part of any women’s division. Going up against Baker would be an interesting booking decision, but there wouldn’t be much “backlash” if Baker picked up the win after a hotly contested matchup.

Maki Itoh

Everyone loves the singing Joshi, Maki Itoh. Now that travel is more possible, Itoh making a surprise return to AEW would be well received. The fans in AEW love to sing along with theme music, so why not give them the enjoyment of Itoh’s smiling face?

She and Baker also have a history together. Back at AEW Revolution in 2021, the two women were victorious in tag team action, defeating Thunder Rosa and Riho on the Buy-In. They also teamed together on the following Dynamite. Play off the idea that Baker would expect Itoh to lay down for her and let them have fun in a match that fans would enjoy.

Athena

Athena would perhaps be the biggest free-agent acquisition for the AEW women’s division. Bringing her in immediately creates another name that presents as a top star. It would be interesting to see how she would be booked in a tournament that features Baker and Toni Storm – the one that many see as a future champion for AEW. Fightful has reported that “light talks” between Athena and AEW have occurred, going back to when WWE first released her.

The former NXT champion has stayed busy, recently winning the vacant Warrior Wrestling Women’s Title in a three-way against Shazza McKenzie and Skye Blue. She’s also wrestled against Mia Yim and Swerve Strickland now that she’s back on the independent circuit. Bringing Athena in as The Joker would have long-term, positive implications for AEW’s women’s division.