Following a long run of independent wrestling appearances in Europe, Thekla found her way into Japan in 2019, where she slowly emerged as one of the biggest names. However, following a stint of almost six years, Thekla was kayfabe fired from Japan before she made her way into AEW.
Recently speaking to ClutchPoints in an exclusive interview, Thekla opened up about her run in Japan, how it helped shape her career, as well as her jump to All Elite Wrestling. Talking about Stardom shaped her career, Thekla answered, “Stardom very much shaped my career. That’s where I learned the ropes, more or less. Became more of a technical wrestler, and just learned to be able to deal with very harsh schedules. Did everything from TV to interviews to being on the road for days, the tour bus life, and then also tried out new things,” she continued. “But also, at some point, you know, do my own thing as the Idol Killer, which was probably the most fun I had had in my career until that point.”
Spending almost five years at World Wonder Ring Stardom, Thekla came out of the promotion with several positive memories, including some with her arch-nemesis, Taro Okada. “All of those memories are very fun and happy memories, except for getting fired, of course. That was a little bit of a sad memory, but I also cherish the moments I get to have now because every time I see him [Taro Okada], he evokes feelings of aggression in me. So, as I said, happy memories from this weekend when I flew to Japan for 14 hours and beat the living hell out of him again. I’m thankful for that. I’m very happy, balanced, zen, you know [after beating Taro Okada].”
Now a part of the AEW roster, Thekla opened up about her experience with the promotion. “It has been only great. I love working with all the people there. I love being around so many legends and people who have done great and big things for the wrestling industry. The locker room is fun. There are a bunch of nasty girls, obviously, as in every locker room. But most people are f***ing phenomenal, so I couldn’t be happier. Actually, I think I may have finally found my wrestling home in AEW.”
While fans know about her public feud with Taro Okada, she believes AEW boss Tony Khan might not face a similar fate with her. Addressing her creative liberty in AEW, she said, “For me, as a strange and aggressive Austrian lady, great because I think there may be some fear involved, you know, when it comes to the people who are working with me. So creative, yeah, I’ve never been more creative. Honestly, I really cannot complain.”
A few days ago, Thekla crashed a Stardom event in Japan and attacked Okada. She attempted to cut his hair with clippers, a moment which she revealed to be the most proud of in her career. When asked if Tony Khan should stay aware of her, she said, “Safe for now. Tony Khan is… He does not have to fear any attacks from his AEW Women’s World Champion. For now.”
Thekla on her AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door plans
At the upcoming AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door PPV on Jun. 28, 2026, Thekla is scheduled to defend her Women’s World Championship against Starlight Kid. Addressing her opponent, she said, “I think she does because she’s a very good wrestler, an outstanding wrestler. I’ve seen her have very challenging matches in Japan that she, that she managed to win. So I would like to play her down, but I do know the challenge she brings. But at the same time, I have a strong belief and self-confidence that I can overcome her as well.
“She’s beaten me before. Yes, we have crossed paths many times. It’s important in a way that I can, after this Sunday, I can cross her off my list of b**hes that I’ve beaten and gone through and humiliated.”
When asked whom she would like to face at All In: London between Mercedes Moné and Maya World, Thekla answered that she doesn’t care who her opponent would be. Although she had hoped to face her Triangle of Madness partner, Skye Blue, at the PPV.
When asked about her next Forbidden Door PPV opponent, the Austrian wrestler expressed her interest in facing Persephone. “Well, Persephone and I have had a little bit of an exchange before, one time in CMLL and one time in AEW. And when we were facing each other in CMLL, it was down to me and her after one hour. Almost one-hour match that we were having with a bunch of other b**hes. She actually happened to win that particular match. So I’m looking forward to, you know, face her in a one-on-one situation at some point.”
Thekla reveals her wrestling role models and motivation
In the final moments of her exclusive with ClutchPoints, Thekla opened up about her wrestling role models while growing up in Vienna, Austria. “When I first started watching pro wrestling, I was watching WWE. So I enjoyed a lot of people. First, of course, Rey Mysterio caught my attention with his athleticism. Stone Cold Steve Austin caught my attention with just being a cool badass, who was drinking beer in the ring and all that stuff. And then, of course, newer people were also great. I did enjoy watching some people, like even Jon Moxley, formerly known as Dean Ambrose.”
While Austria had a very small wrestling scene, Thekla believes it was not challenging for her. “In Austria, it wasn’t very challenging at all, honestly, because I was a standout student from day one, and I think somewhat of a natural when it comes to pro wrestling.”
Although she learnt a lot about the struggles of pro-wrestling while performing in Japan. “Of course, coming up in Austria with a very small wrestling scene, that was very tough. Chances of making it out of Austria were very slim. Being in Japan later on in my career and actually starting my career over there was a big struggle as well because I started during COVID. So there were obviously some problematic situations then. Wrestling in front of very little to no audience. And then later on, being in STARDOM and enjoying a lot of success in front of a bigger audience, You know, having setbacks like injuries that had me not be able to participate in very big tournaments in, in STARDOM like the 5Star Grand Prix, you know, getting kicked out of Japan and getting fired from STARDOM, and now being in AEW where I had to face a lot of very strong opponents as well and managed to beat the s**t out of every single one.”
At 33-years-old and feeling right at home in AEW, Thekla currently has “no aspirations of changing promotions.” She wants to continue her journey in AEW and learn more about the sport. “What motivates me is just getting better at what I do, and hopefully at some point reaching a level where I’m actually confident and happy with my work without ever questioning it. So there are still a few things that I’m learning, and I keep my ears and eyes open to understand and learn the last secrets of what makes pro wrestling good.”
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