Zayda Steel Says AEW Deal Came Together ‘Really Quick’ After WWE ID Exit

Zayda Steel wasn’t planning on going straight to AEW after leaving the WWE ID program, but she says it happened very quickly. Steel was officially announced as part of the AEW/ROH roster in January of 2026, but she told MuscleMan Malcom in a new interview that it all came together just five days after her WWE ID contract expired.

Steel ended up having a few matches on AEW Collision and several on ROH TV before she had her first AEW Dynamite match in late March, teaming with SkyFlight in a mixed tag team match against The Death Riders’ Jon Moxley, Daniel Garcia and Marina Shafir. She reflected on that match as well. You can see the highlights below:

On Joining AEW:

“I’ll put it simple. After I left WWE ID, my deal was up; I didn’t want to renew. I was going to take a break, go to overseas to Japan. And then literally five days later, Tony contacted me. And I go, ‘You know what? AEW. Real Deal will take over AEW, I guess.

“So yeah, I genuinely was not — I kind of just go life through life, just day by day. I don’t really — I planned some things, you have goals but you never know tomorrow who’s going to text you, what opportunities will come. Just make the most of it. But yeah, it happened really quick, actually.”

On Facing Jon Moxley In Her First AEW Dynamite Match:

“My first wrestling merch was his. I have little 2016 — I was like what, 13? 13-year-old Zayda with little [Sounds of Justice], that version of Moxley… I was a huge [fan]. I mean, I still am. Who isn’t a mark for Moxley? He’s great.

“And having my debut against him — the nerves, guys. The nerves. So I mean, they throw you to the wolves, I guess. But I survived that, too. And sadly, I think I hurt his balls maybe in that match. Yeah. So maybe, I don’t know if they’re planning on having any more kids, but I’m sorry, Renee. Sorry.”

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit MuscleMan Malcom with a h/t to 411mania.com for the transcription.