AEW has a stacked women’s division. With Mercedes Mone, Athena, and Toni Storm at the top across both AEW and Ring of Honor, there’s a lot to look forward to within that division. There are several names worth mentioning when talking about who has “next” within the group. One name who can’t be overlooked is newcomer, Thekla. She’s primed for a main event run, and fans need to be ready because she’s going to claim that Women’s World Championship for herself.
The “Toxic Spider” made the jump to AEW in May and has been on a tear ever since. She’s yet to be defeated in singles action and is poised for a big feud against former AEW Champion, Jamie Hayter. Even as Hayter has suffered with injury issues, that’s the perfect feud to welcome Thekla into the fold because it pits her against a fan favorite and performer who remains near the top of the division. Expect Hayter to lose out on the rivalry, which shouldn’t hurt her credibility with fans, while making Thekla look like a bigger deal along the way.
Even though she, Julia Hart, and Skye Blue make sense as the trio known as the “Triangle of Madness,” there’s something special about Thekla that stands out on television. Her character and look are quite different than most in AEW. Akin to what Ruby Soho brought to the roster when she was active. She looks and performs differently in a way that helps her differentiate herself from a division that typically has a bunch of performers who fit within a “mold.” Thekla thrived during her time in Japan, but getting to AEW will be the breakthrough that leads to higher heights.
“I love AEW,” Thekla said while on the latest episode of AEW Unrestricted. “For those that have been reading interviews and listening to stuff I’ve said before, that was kind of the dream. I was watching some of the first pay-per-views with my friends when I was still a backyarder back from where I’m from in Austria. I’d be pointing at the tv like, ‘Guys, give me a couple of years but I’m gonna be on TV.’ Now, my friends from back then, they’ll be watching the pay-per-views and they’ll be like, ‘Yeah, she actually did it!”
Thekla’s arrival is at a perfect time because the division is at a point where it needs to move beyond Toni Storm and Mercedes Mone as the two dominant forces. Both women are in the midst of strong reigns, but there’s a slow push by fans to see them come to an end. There are debates about who will be the right people to take the titles off either woman, but Thekla should certainly be on the short list for either.
The AEW women’s division is bursting with talent. There are performers who’ve been there for years, and others just stepping into the company, but several are worth consideration when thinking about future champions. Thekla is one of those names to watch, and she’s a winning bet to be an AEW Women’s World Champion in the future.