Samantha Irvin is about to be a free agent. The former WWE ring announcer’s non-compete agreement expires this month, ending two years of restrictions since her 2024 departure — and AEW has already discussed bringing her in, according to Fightful Select.
Known to fans as one of WWE’s most recognizable voices, Irvin (real name Samantha Johnson) could soon join her husband Ricochet in AEW — though anyone expecting an immediate Dynamite debut should temper expectations.
Samantha Irvin (Credits: Ringside News)
Samantha Irvin’s WWE Non-Compete Expires in October 2026
When Irvin chose to leave WWE in 2024, the company placed an actual non-compete restriction on her — different from the termination periods often mislabeled as non-competes when WWE releases talent. That restriction has effectively frozen her out of wrestling for the past two years, and its expiration this month marks her first real opportunity to explore wrestling-related options.
The AEW connection is obvious. Her husband Ricochet is on the company’s roster, and she has been backstage at dozens of AEW events over the past two years, maintaining a strong relationship with the promotion. AEW has discussed bringing Johnson into the company in an on-screen role on multiple occasions, per Fightful Select.
Will Samantha Irvin Join AEW — and in What Role?
An immediate appearance is not planned, it was said — if she does eventually join AEW television, it would likely happen further down the road. But the more interesting question is what she would actually do.
Irvin has previously expressed little interest in returning to ring announcing, despite becoming one of WWE’s most recognizable voices behind the microphone. That leaves the door wide open: a non-wrestling on-screen role, a managerial position, or something entirely new.
Either way, with the non-compete finally coming to an end, the next decision is hers. And AEW clearly has not forgotten about her.
Also Read: Spoiler: Sami Zayn to Open October 23, 2026 WWE SmackDown Ahead of Crown Jewel
Source: Ringside News — read the full story there.
