According to a new report from Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select, WWE has expressed interest in former All Elite Wrestling talent Leyla Hirsch, but for a non-wrestling role. The report states that WWE reached out to Hirsch about a potential tryout with the company as a referee.
Hirsch departed from AEW earlier this year and has been active on the independent circuit over the last few months. The interest from WWE marks a significant and surprising new development in her career path.
A Different Kind of Role
The Fightful report notes that the communication between WWE and Hirsch took place around mid-June. “Sources within WWE tell Fightful that they reached out to Leyla Hirch about a potential tryout with the company as a referee,” the report states. It is currently unknown if Hirsch accepted the offer or if a tryout has already taken place.
The move would be an interesting one for Hirsch, who is known for her intense, legitimate grappling-based in-ring style. Her background as a former amateur wrestler would provide her with a deep understanding of the rules and mechanics of a professional wrestling match, making her a knowledgeable candidate for an officiating role.
A Path Back to the Ring?
While a move to a referee position is rare for an active wrestler, the report notes that it does not necessarily mean the end of an in-ring career. The example of current WWE referee Jessika Carr is cited, who joined the company as an official but later returned to wrestling on the EVOLVE brand under the name Kalyx in 2025. This precedent leaves the door open for Hirsch to potentially return to wrestling in the future, should she accept the referee position.
Leyla Hirsch, nicknamed “Legit,” signed with AEW in 2021 after making several appearances on AEW Dark. During her time with the company, she was involved in feuds with wrestlers like Kris Statlander and Red Velvet. Before signing with AEW, she had a successful run in promotions such as Stardom and Beyond Wrestling.
