Mara Sadé Reportedly Signs With AEW After WWE and TNA Talks

Mara Sadé has reportedly signed with All Elite Wrestling after brief discussions with WWE and TNA, giving the former Jakara Jackson a new opportunity to establish herself in AEW.

Mara Sadé is reportedly set to begin the next chapter of her professional wrestling career in All Elite Wrestling after choosing the Jacksonville-based promotion following conversations with WWE and TNA.

The 31-year-old performer, previously known to WWE fans as Jakara Jackson, has already competed for multiple major wrestling companies. After beginning her career in WWE and spending time in NXT and on the main roster, she moved to TNA in 2025 before becoming a free agent in 2026.

AEW had been linked with Sadé for some time, and a recent update on her personal website appeared to suggest that a deal had been completed. Although the wording was subsequently removed, a report from Fightful Select has since stated that Sadé is under contract with AEW.

Mara Sadé Reportedly Signs With AEW

Speculation around Sadé’s future intensified after her website briefly described her as being part of AEW. The information was later removed, creating uncertainty over whether the wording had been published accidentally or represented an early disclosure.

According to the cited Fightful Select report, however, Sadé has signed with AEW. The report also states that she had brief discussions with WWE and received an offer from TNA before ultimately choosing AEW.

The reported decision gives Sadé another major platform after her previous runs in WWE and TNA. It also places her in a promotion where several performers have built careers after moving between different wrestling companies.

AEW has not yet revealed the details of her first storyline or announced when she will make her television debut.

From Jakara Jackson to Mara Sadé

Sadé became familiar to WWE fans under the ring name Jakara Jackson. She competed in NXT and was associated with the Meta-Four faction during her WWE run.

Her time in WWE gave her experience performing for a major wrestling audience before she moved to TNA in 2025. The transition allowed her to continue developing her career outside the WWE system.

Her TNA contract expired in 2026, and she did not renew it. That made her available to explore other opportunities, eventually leading to reported conversations with multiple promotions.

Her move to AEW also gives her the opportunity to continue performing under the Mara Sadé name rather than returning to her former WWE identity.

WWE and TNA Were Also Reportedly Options

The report surrounding Sadé’s AEW deal indicates that AEW was not the only promotion interested in her services.

She reportedly had brief conversations with WWE and also received an offer from TNA. Her previous experience with both companies meant that either option would have represented a return to a familiar environment.

Instead, she reportedly selected AEW.

The decision is significant because Sadé now has the chance to work for a third major North American wrestling promotion. Her experience across WWE and TNA could give her a useful foundation as she begins another run with a new company.

Why Sadé’s AEW Arrival Has Created Interest

Sadé’s arrival comes with several elements that could make her debut interesting to AEW fans.

First, she already has experience in WWE’s NXT system and TNA. Second, she has developed a distinct identity as Mara Sadé after moving away from the Jakara Jackson name. Third, she has a personal connection to the AEW roster through her relationship with Kevin Knight.

These factors give AEW several potential ways to introduce her without relying solely on her previous WWE history.

Her exact position in the women’s division remains unknown, though. She could begin with singles competition, enter the tag-team scene or become involved in a larger storyline after her debut.

Kevin Knight and Mara Sadé Are Now in the Same Promotion

Another notable part of Sadé’s AEW move is her relationship with former TNT Champion Kevin Knight.

The two wrestlers have made their relationship public, and they have occasionally shared moments from their lives together on social media. They recently posted about a movie date, further confirming their relationship to fans.

With Sadé reportedly joining AEW, both wrestlers will now work for the same promotion.

However, there has been no confirmation that AEW plans to use their real-life relationship as part of an on-screen storyline. Their personal connection should therefore be separated from the question of how Sadé will be booked professionally.

Could Mara Sadé Join the Don Callis Family?

One possible storyline has emerged from comments made by Kevin Knight about the Don Callis Family.

Knight was previously asked about changes he would make to the group. He suggested that the faction could expand its roster and include women, mentioning Queen Aminata and Red Velvet as performers whose in-ring styles could fit the group.

Given that Sadé is now reportedly joining AEW and is Knight’s partner, fans could naturally speculate about whether she might eventually become involved with the faction.

However, there is currently no confirmation that AEW intends to add Sadé to the Don Callis Family. Knight’s comments were made before her reported signing and did not establish that she would be part of the group.

AEW could ultimately choose a completely different direction for her character.

What Role Could Sadé Have in AEW?

Sadé’s immediate role remains one of the biggest unanswered questions surrounding her signing.

AEW’s women’s division includes established singles competitors, tag teams and faction-based storylines, giving the company several possible entry points for a new signing with previous television experience.

Some potential directions include:

• Singles competition: AEW could introduce Sadé through individual matches and gradually build her position in the division.
• Tag-team competition: She could become involved in AEW’s women’s tag-team stories if the company chooses to emphasize that part of the division.
• Faction storyline: Her arrival could eventually lead to an association with an existing group, although no such plan has been confirmed.
• Feud with an established star: AEW could immediately place her against another member of the women’s roster to establish her character.

The eventual presentation will be more important than the signing itself when it comes to determining her place in AEW.

Sadé Brings Experience From WWE and TNA

One advantage Sadé brings to AEW is familiarity with different wrestling environments.

Her WWE experience exposed her to the company’s developmental system and main-roster environment. Her subsequent TNA run gave her another opportunity to compete regularly after leaving WWE.

That background means AEW is not signing a wrestler without major television experience. Sadé has already worked under the pressure of large wrestling promotions and has had opportunities to develop her presentation in front of established audiences.

Her AEW run can therefore focus on developing the Mara Sadé character rather than simply introducing her as a completely unknown performer.

AEW Has Not Announced Her Debut

Despite the report confirming her contract, there is still no announced date for Sadé’s first AEW appearance.

The company could introduce her on Dynamite, Collision or another AEW event. Her debut could also take place without immediately revealing a long-term storyline, allowing the creative team to establish her character first.

Until AEW officially announces her first appearance, any claims about a specific opponent or faction should be treated as speculation.

What Her Signing Means for Her Career

The move to AEW represents another major stage in Sadé’s career. She has already moved from WWE to TNA and now reportedly joins AEW after becoming a free agent.

Each promotion has provided a different environment for her development. AEW gives her another opportunity to establish herself while working alongside a roster that includes performers from numerous wrestling backgrounds.

The move could also help separate her current identity from her previous WWE persona. As Mara Sadé, she can build a character and career in AEW without necessarily relying on her past as Jakara Jackson.

Fans Will Have to Wait for AEW’s Next Move

The report of Sadé’s signing answers one major question about her future but leaves several others open.

Her first AEW match, potential storyline, position in the women’s division and possible connections with existing factions remain unknown. Her relationship with Kevin Knight adds another point of interest, but there is no indication yet that AEW will incorporate it into television programming.

Likewise, speculation about the Don Callis Family is based on Knight’s previous comments rather than an announced creative plan.

The clearest confirmed development is that Sadé has reportedly chosen AEW after exploring opportunities elsewhere.

Final Verdict

Mara Sadé has reportedly signed with AEW after brief discussions with WWE and an offer from TNA, according to the cited Fightful Select report. The former Jakara Jackson had been linked with AEW for some time before the brief appearance of AEW-related wording on her website fueled further speculation.

Her move gives AEW a wrestler with previous WWE and TNA experience and adds another established name to its women’s roster. Her relationship with former TNT Champion Kevin Knight also means she already has a personal connection within the company.

However, AEW has yet to announce Sadé’s debut or reveal her first storyline. While speculation about the Don Callis Family and other potential directions will likely continue, her eventual on-screen presentation will determine how the company plans to use her.