The Modern-Day Witch Arrives: 5 Shocking Facts About Isla Dawn's Explosive AEW Debut

The arrival of Isla Dawn in All Elite Wrestling (AEW) marks one of the most significant free-agent acquisitions of late 2025, immediately injecting a fresh, supernatural presence into the women's division. After a highly successful, yet ultimately curtailed, run in WWE's NXT brand, "The Modern-Day Witch" has found a new home, and her debut has been the subject of intense speculation and excitement among wrestling fans worldwide. As of today, December 17, 2025, Dawn is set to become a cornerstone of the AEW and Ring of Honor (ROH) women's roster, bringing her unique, dark aesthetic and technical wrestling style to a whole new audience.

The transition from a two-time WWE champion to a top prospect in AEW is a rare feat, and the Scottish star's debut on *AEW Saturday Collision* was a moment that wrestling purists had been anticipating since her sudden release earlier this year. Her career has been a fascinating journey through the global wrestling scene, culminating in a highly-anticipated arrival that promises to shake up the established hierarchy of the women's locker room.

Isla Dawn: Complete Professional Wrestling Biography & Profile

Isla Dawn, known for her captivating "witch" persona, has built a career on a blend of technical precision and unnerving character work. Her journey began in the independent circuit of her native Scotland before she became a fixture in WWE’s developmental system.

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• Ring Name: Isla Dawn
• Real Name: Courtney Florence Stewart
• Born: February 2, 1994
• Birthplace: Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
• Age: 31 (as of December 2025)
• Billed Height: 5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)
• Professional Debut: December 21, 2013
• Trainers: Damian O'Connor, Mikey Whiplash, Tommy End (Malakai Black)
• Nicknames/Gimmicks: "The Modern-Day Witch," "The White Witch," The Unholy Union (Tag Team)
• Wrestling Style: Technician
• Signature Moves: Dragon Sleeper (Dragon Slayer), Air Raid Crash, Call of the Quarters (Half Nelson Suplex), Bright Star (Armbar)

Career Highlights & Major Accomplishments

Dawn's career is highlighted by her success in WWE's tag team division, particularly her time in NXT.

• NXT Women's Tag Team Champion: 1 time (with Alba Fyre)
• WWE Women's Tag Team Champion: 1 time (with Alba Fyre)
• NXT UK Star: A prominent figure in the now-defunct NXT UK brand.

The Shocking WWE Release and Path to AEW

Isla Dawn’s release from WWE in February 2025 sent shockwaves through the wrestling community, especially considering she and her tag team partner, Alba Fyre, were reigning WWE Women's Tag Team Champions at the time. The duo, known as "The Unholy Union," had recently been called up to the main roster, making their departure even more surprising. [cite: 4, 5, 6, 11 in step 1]

The release was part of a larger batch of talent cuts, but for many fans, it felt premature given the team's momentum and unique presentation. Dawn herself later stated that she was "not surprised at all" by the decision, hinting that she may have been ready to move on to new opportunities. [cite: 9 in step 1]

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Following her 90-day non-compete clause, speculation immediately turned to All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and its sister promotion, Ring of Honor (ROH). AEW officials reportedly had significant interest in Dawn, and she was soon seen backstage at AEW TV tapings, fueling the rumors of a major signing. [cite: 6, 11, 12 in step 1]

The decision to join AEW was a clear choice for a wrestler like Dawn. The company, led by Tony Khan, has a reputation for giving talent more creative freedom, which is a perfect fit for a character-driven performer known for her distinct supernatural persona, "The Modern-Day Witch." Her signing is widely viewed as a major coup for the AEW women's division, adding a veteran presence with main-roster experience.

The AEW Debut Timeline: Collision, Dark, and the Future

Isla Dawn's debut was not a one-off event but a strategic rollout across multiple AEW and ROH platforms, signifying her importance to the overall women's roster. Her initial appearances set the stage for a major push in late 2025 and early 2026.

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The First Appearance: AEW Collision

The official televised debut was highly anticipated, with the first major announcement placing her on the August 23rd episode of *AEW Saturday Collision*. [cite: 1 in step 1] However, earlier in the month, a match against Aleah James on the August 3rd *Collision* was noted as her first post-WWE match, indicating that AEW wasted no time in introducing her to their audience. [cite: 7 in step 1] These initial matches allowed her to re-establish her menacing presence and technical dominance.

Testing the Waters: AEW Dark & ROH

To maximize her exposure and get her back into ring shape, Dawn was also featured on the independent-focused programming. A notable match took place against Marina Shafir on *AEW Dark*, a contest that pitted two technically gifted and hard-hitting women against each other. [cite: 16, 17 in step 1] Her work on the Independent Circuit and for Ring of Honor (ROH) in the immediate aftermath of her release also allowed her to sharpen her skills and connect with a dedicated fanbase. [cite: 8, 15 in step 1]

Potential Future Feuds and Partnerships

Dawn's arrival immediately opens the door to several dream matches and compelling storylines in AEW. Her supernatural gimmick naturally positions her against other unique characters, but her technical ability means she can challenge for any title.

• Marina Shafir: The initial match against Shafir on *Dark* suggests a potential long-term rivalry between two of the most legitimate, hard-hitting women in the company.
• The Unholy Union Reunion: The biggest question remains the status of her former partner, Alba Fyre. A reunion of The Unholy Union in AEW would instantly create the most dominant tag team in the division.
• Mercedes Moné: A high-profile feud with a top star like the current TBS Champion or former Women's World Champion would immediately elevate Dawn to main-event status.
• Julia Hart: A storyline pitting two "witches" against each other—Dawn's traditional, dark aesthetic versus Hart's House of Black-influenced persona—would be a compelling clash of dark forces.
• Megan Bayne: Early reports of a match against Megan Bayne also point to a future program with one of the most powerful and rapidly rising stars in the AEW women's division. [cite: 7 in step 1]

Why Isla Dawn is the Must-Watch Talent of 2026

Isla Dawn is not just another former WWE talent making the jump; she represents a specific, highly marketable niche that AEW has been missing. Her character work is impeccable, her in-ring style is a seamless blend of European technical wrestling and hard-hitting strikes, and she has proven she can succeed on the biggest stages.

Her time in NXT UK and NXT 2.0, where she captured the tag team gold, provided her with invaluable experience. Now, as a freelancer working across the Independent Circuit, ROH, and AEW, she has the freedom to fully realize her potential. [cite: 8, 15 in step 1] The anticipation surrounding her official signing and her continued appearances on *Collision* suggest that Tony Khan views her as a major player.

For fans curious about the next big star in the women's division, Isla Dawn is the answer. She is a ready-made main-eventer who brings legitimacy, an established character, and championship pedigree to a roster hungry for new blood. Keep a close eye on her trajectory; The Modern-Day Witch is ready to cast a long shadow over All Elite Wrestling.