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It has been reported by Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful that Toni Storm and WWE have parted ways. The news came just five days after Toni's televised SmackDown Women's Championship match against Charlotte Flair.
The report suggests that Toni Storm specifically asked for her release from the company. Many of the promotion's recent releases have been cited as budget cuts, but this particular release does not fall under that bracket, according to Sean Ross Sapp.
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It appeared that things had been looking up for the New Zealand-born superstar on SmackDown recently as she was in the midst of the biggest push of her main roster tenure. Sadly, it has now come to an end, on her own terms.
Her last appearance for the company came at the December 28 house show in Washington, DC. Storm competed in a Triple Threat match for the SmackDown Women's Title involving champion Charlotte Flair and Sasha Banks.
This list will take a look at the five best moments of Toni Storm's career in WWE.
#5. Toni Storm's WWE debut in 2017
What a year it was for Toni Storm in 2017. She made headlines across the independent scene by becoming the first-ever Progress Wrestling Women's Champion in the UK.
She also competed in Japan for Stardom, winning the 2017 Cinderella Tournament and the 2017 5★Star GP.
She got her big break in the United States when WWE came calling and asked her to compete in that year's Mae Young Classic. The inaugural tournament also saw the likes of Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair and Shayna Baszler compete.
Toni Storm managed to make it all the way to the semi-finals, defeating Ayesha Raymond, Lacey Evans and Piper Niven A.K.A. Doudrop before eventually being eliminated by tournament winner Kairi Sane.
Storm spoke to FOX Sports about competing in the first-ever all-women's tournament:
"That was nerve-racking. I was out doing all the tapings, all of the interviews and getting ready for it for about 10 days in Orlando. It was just 10 days of nerves, I was terrified. It was so nerve-racking because it’s WWE, it’s the top place, it’s where I’ve always wanted to be. I nearly had a heart attack." (h/t Wrestling Inc.)
It certainly capped off an incredible year for Toni Storm, who was finally introduced to the WWE Universe for the first time.
#4. Toni Storm officially signs with WWE in 2018
In May 2018, Toni Storm signed with WWE after impressing the year before in the Mae Young Classic. Toni was assigned to the newly-formed NXT UK brand and was immediately thrust into the spotlight.
One of her first assignments was facing Killer Kelly and Isla Dawn to become No.1 contender for the NXT Women's Championship. It eventually started the rise of her character to the summit of WWE, despite losing her title opportunity to then-champion Shayna Baszler.
#3. Toni Storm competes in her first Royal Rumble
It was a dream come true for Toni Storm in 2020, when she competed in the Women's Royal Rumble match. Storm entered the match at number twenty, and lasted 18:40 minutes before being eliminated by Shayna Baszler.
It marked the first time Toni had competed in a Royal Rumble match. She was brought to tears of joy in an interview after the match which highlighted her emotions.
She once again competed in a Royal Rumble match the following year in 2021, this time entering at number seven and lasting 11:21 minutes.
#2. Toni Storm wins the NXT Women's Championship in 2019
NXT UK TakeOver: Blackpool in 2019 will be remembered by many for years to come, including Toni Storm. In front of a sold-out crowd, Toni captured the NXT Women's Championship by defeating Rhea Ripley.
It was a sweet moment for Storm, who had competed for many years on the UK's independent scene. She finally had her big moment in front of fans who had seen her grow in the business from the very start.
The win also marked Toni Storm's first major singles championship victory in WWE.
#1. Toni Storm wins the 2018 WWE Mae Young Classic
Toni Storm's finest moment in WWE came when she won the Mae Young Classic tournament in 2018. After reaching the semi-finals the year before, Toni made it count the following year.
She defeated Jinny, Hiroyo Matsumoto, Mia Yim and Meiko Satomura to advance to the final. The finale itself took place at the first-ever women's pay-per-view, WWE Evolution.
Toni Storm defeated Io Shirai to claim the prize and was handed the trophy and flowers by Triple H and Stephanie McMahon.
It was a historic night for the women of WWE, and in particular, Storm, who cemented her name with the WWE Universe.
What was your favorite Toni Storm moment in WWE? Let us know in the comments below.
