In a shocking development that has left WWE executives crying into their protein shakes, AEW has reportedly scooped up former STARDOM standout Thekla, making Tony Khan the proud new owner of yet another wrestling spider.
Yes, the Austrian arachnid enthusiast—known to fans as the “Toxic Spider” and to her enemies as “AHH, WHAT IS THAT?!”—is allegedly all webbed up in AEW contract silk, according to Fightful Select. WWE was apparently very interested too, likely after someone Googled “who is cool in Japan that we haven’t hired yet?”
Thekla’s eight-year journey from the Joshi rings of Ice Ribbon and STARDOM to the American spotlight is a tale of grit, glamour, and occasional creepy-crawly entrances. AEW fans got their first taste this past Dynamite, where her red spider logo flashed ominously during the AEW Women’s World Championship Eliminator Match. Some thought it was a Marvel teaser. Others assumed Toni Storm was starting an avant-garde fashion line.
Nope. It’s Thekla, baby.
Rumors now swirl around where and when she’ll strike: Beach Break, where sunburn meets suplex? Or Double or Nothing, where she may literally double-cross everyone and win something?
Also, in a side note that AEW buried like a last-minute party RSVP, Rhino debuted last week in Detroit. And Josh Alexander showed up recently too, presumably having escaped the Impact Zone through a wormhole.
But make no mistake: AEW’s women’s division just got silkier, sneakier, and spidery-er. And somewhere in Stamford, someone just choked on a protein bar yelling, “GET ME ARAÑA GIRL, NOW!”