Bea Priestley, formerly known as Blair Davenport in WWE, has officially signed a full-time contract with World Wonder Ring Stardom. She confirmed the move six months after her WWE departure in an Instagram post, referring to herself as a “top gaijin” in her profile.
The signing formalizes a move that began with an announcement at a press conference. Priestley, who previously wrestled for the promotion from 2017 to 2021, is already scheduled for a high-profile match. She will challenge Saya Kamitani for the World of Stardom Championship on September 6.
Her return to Japan follows a brief and limited run on WWE’s main roster. After being drafted to SmackDown in 2024, Priestley spent only eight months with the brand before her release.
Her final televised WWE appearance was a first-round loss in the Women’s United States Championship tournament in November 2024. The company released her three months later in February 2025 as part of a larger round of talent cuts that also included Sonya Deville and Cedric Alexander.
Priestley later stated she believed the release was a result of budget cuts and held no ill will. Reports after her departure indicated that WWE creative had abandoned plans for her, including a pitch to join a faction with Chelsea Green and Piper Niven that had progressed to the point of designing a “secret service outfit” for her.
Announcing her new contract, Priestley wrote on Instagram:
“I have officially signed with @wwr_stardom and am now apart of the full time roster 💕”