Leilani Kai signs WWE legends contract after hip surgery

Leilani Kai, a longtime professional wrestling figure and former women's champion, said she has signed a new legends contract with WWE after the company contacted her while she was recovering from hip surgery in 2025. Kai disclosed the offer in a recent interview, and she has since made several public appearances at WWE events, including Saturday Night's Main Event and NXT live shows.

Kai said she was still hospitalized after hip surgery when WWE representatives called to ask whether the company could cover her medical bill. She said she declined the offer of payment and was then told WWE wanted her to join its roster of legends. "I was surprised. I never thought it would happen," she said, adding that the outreach came from Ben Brown, an assistant who also works with WWE's archives. Kai confirmed she has a legends deal with the company and said she is interested in taking on an active role, particularly as a coach at the WWE Performance Center and within NXT.

The former WWF Women's Champion and two-time Women's Tag Team Champion said she has been attending NXT events to scout talent and to be around the women she hopes to mentor. "I want to be a coach there so bad," she said,...