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A former WWE name has officially re-signed with the Stamford-based promotion. Leilani Kai, a legendary figure from the 1980s "Rock 'n' Wrestling" era, has returned to the company under a new agreement. Kai was a foundational member of the women's division, capturing both the WWE Women’s Championship and the WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship during her tenure in the 1980s. Apart from her time working for Vince McMahon, she also competed internationally, including for promotions like All Japan Women's Pro-Wrestling (AJW) and later had a stint in WCW. Earlier this year, Kai was spotted sitting in the audience during WWE programming. These appearances led to questions regarding her status, as she has been retired from in-ring competition for a long time. It has now been confirmed that Leilani has officially signed a WWE Legends Contract. In a recent interview with veteran wrestling journalist Bill Apter, Kai discussed her return, revealing she recently underwent hip surgery and explaining how Triple H and the company used the opportunity to reconnect with her. More news: WWE Superstar Announces Retirement Match The veteran performer, who is no longer able to wrestle, detailed how WWE reached out to her with a generous offer while she was recovering. She explained that the company offered to pay her medical bills before formally welcoming her back into the WWE "family." “Well, I had finally my surgery on my hip and they found out… I’m still not over it yet, but I was in the hospital. And after my surgery, a couple of days later, they called me and asked if they could take care of my hospital bill or if there’s anything they could do." Kai explained her response to the offer and what followed. "And I told them, no, I was taken care of. I was fine." "And then they told me they wanted me to join their family.” This gesture is part of a widely noted effort under the Triple H-led creative regime to mend relationships with past performers and honor their contributions. A Legends Contract typically allows WWE to use a star's likeness for merchandise, inclusion in video games, and documentary content, and it also secures them for non-wrestling appearances as brand ambassadors. Kai's legacy is firmly cemented in WWE history. She defeated Wendi Richter in February 1985 to win the WWE Women's Championship. She would carry that title into the inaugural "WrestleMania" one month later, where she lost the championship back to Richter in a historic match that featured pop star Cyndi Lauper in Richter's corner. This bout was a cornerstone of the "Rock 'n' Wrestling Connection" that launched WWE into the mainstream entertainment world. Leilani Kai’s new Legends Contract brings her back into the WWE fold just as the company prepares for one of its "Big Four" annual events, "Survivor Series: WarGames." The event is scheduled to take place on November 29, 2025, at Petco Park in San Diego, California. More WWE News: Released WWE Superstar Retires From Pro Wrestling Released WWE Star Breaks Silence On Departure Released WWE Star Wants To Join AEW
