Cassie Lee and Jessie McKay are officially back on a big stage. After a short return run in TNA, the popular duo known as The IInspiration have now signed multi-year contracts with AEW. Their arrival adds more depth to the growing women’s tag team division and gives fans another experienced team to cheer for.
The IInspiration Are Now All Elite
Cassie Lee and Jessie McKay made their AEW debut at a House Rules live event in Brisbane, Australia. They defeated independent wrestlers Aysha and Frankie B in their first match since leaving TNA Wrestling in January.
Shortly after the match, reports confirmed that both women have signed multi-year deals with All Elite Wrestling. According to Fightful Select’s Sean Ross Sapp, the deal had been expected for weeks. In fact, there was already belief within WWE circles that if they did not appear at the Royal Rumble, they were likely heading to AEW.
This signing was not a last-minute decision. It had reportedly been in place for nearly a month.
Their Journey Before AEW
Before arriving in AEW, the duo were known worldwide as The IIconics in WWE. They captured the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships and became fan favourites thanks to their strong chemistry and entertaining promos.
After leaving WWE, they signed with TNA Wrestling under the name The IInspiration. During their time there, they won the Knockouts World Tag Team Championships.
Here’s a quick look at their tag team achievements:
| Promotion | Tag Team Title Won |
|---|---|
| WWE | WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship |
| TNA Wrestling | Knockouts World Tag Team Championship |
They are currently the only team in history to have won both WWE and TNA women’s tag titles. Now, AEW presents a new opportunity.
Why AEW Is a Big Move
AEW’s women’s tag team division is still growing, but it has been gaining momentum. Adding a team with over a decade of experience instantly boosts the division’s credibility.
During their Brisbane appearance, The IInspiration cut a promo saying they came to AEW to face the best women’s tag teams in the world. That statement clearly shows their ambition.
Interestingly, they did not appear at Grand Slam Australia, even though both are from Sydney. Many fans expected a hometown debut on a major show. Instead, fellow Australian wrestler Lena Kross made headlines with her own AEW debut.
Still, their television debut on AEW Dynamite or Collision is expected very soon.
What Could Happen Next?
With multi-year contracts signed, AEW now has long-term plans for The IInspiration. Some possible directions include:
- A quick push toward the AEW Women’s Tag Team Championships
- Feuds with established teams like Babes of Wrath
- Promo-heavy storylines that highlight their personality
If they manage to win AEW tag gold, they would become the first team ever to hold women’s tag championships in WWE, TNA, and AEW.
That kind of achievement would be historic.
A Friendly Exit From TNA
Reports also confirmed that their departure from TNA was amicable. There were no hard feelings, and the split was handled professionally. They had returned to wrestling last summer on a short-term deal and continued representing TNA even after their contracts technically expired.
That professional approach likely helped make their transition to AEW smooth.
