Earlier this month, Austrian wrestler Thekla became the brand new AEW Women’s World Champion together with her win over Kris Statlander. Speaking on “Talk Is Jericho” ahead of that match, Thekla elaborated on her journey to AEW and why she opted against pursuing a cope with WWE.
“Once I first began watching WWE and learning about how things are done over there, I believe generally, I didn’t love the thought of not doing things my way,” Thekla said. “Everybody knows that you’ve to drop your name, and need to do whatever any person tells you. I’m not great with authority. When AEW began, I assumed, ‘Okay, something latest.’ I really like a superb underdog and I just liked the melting pot of people that began there, and it just had more of a punk feel.”
Thekla also revealed that she had made a goal to get to AEW nearly as soon because the promotion got here into existence six years ago, despite being early into her pro wrestling profession. She credits her “cocky attitude” for helping her get there, and it didn’t take long for Thekla to capture gold once she did.
Prior to joining AEW, Thekla spent years wrestling for STARDOM in Japan. She’s a former member of the promotion’s Donna Del Mondo, a faction created by current WWE star Giulia, and Thekla had strong success as a singles star there as well.
Following her victory over Statlander, Thekla’s first challenger will seemingly be a returning Thunder Rosa, based on Wednesday’s “AEW Dynamite.” Nonetheless, Statlander doesn’t seem content to let Thekla keep the Women’s World Championship and not using a fight, and a rematch between the 2 seems likely.
In the event you use any of the quotes in this text, please credit “Talk Is Jericho” and supply a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.