A familiar face made an unexpected return to television this week — though not inside an AEW ring — as Britt Baker resurfaced during a major mainstream broadcast amid her ongoing absence from the company.
The appearance didn’t come with entrance music or a D.M.D. promo. However, it still caught attention, especially given how long she’s been off AEW programming.
Britt Baker appears on TV at the NFL Draft during AEW hiatus
Baker was spotted in attendance at the NFL Draft in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she was shown on the NFL Network broadcast. The moment marked her first notable TV appearance in quite some time, even if it came outside the squared circle.
A Pittsburgh native, Baker shared her excitement on social media (X) after the event, writing, “My fav player ever @_BigBen7 just threw me his terrible towel. Best birthday gift #HereWeGo.”
The post tied her appearance to a personal moment, rather than any wrestling-related development.
Her cameo comes as her AEW absence continues to stretch. Baker has not appeared on AEW television since November 2024, following her last in-ring outing on Dynamite. Since then, speculation about her status has remained — to borrow a wrestling phrase — stuck in a prolonged hold.
In March, Baker indicated that her return timeline is “not up to [her],” suggesting decisions remain with AEW management.
Meanwhile, AEW president Tony Khan has maintained that she is still part of the company. He stated earlier this year that she is “highly regarded and respected” and expected back at some point — though no timeline has been confirmed.
Recently, All Elite Wrestling took to X to wish Britt Baker a happy birthday as she turned 35 on April 23. She happens to share the date with John Cena, who has already confirmed his return for an upcoming PLE. As it stands, there’s still no confirmed update on Baker’s AEW future.
With no official update on her return, Baker’s latest appearance serves as a reminder that while she may be off AEW TV, she hasn’t faded from the spotlight entirely. For now, fans continue to wait — and like a delayed comeback angle, the payoff remains to be seen.
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