Thekla shocked the wrestling world by defeating Kris Statlander to claim the AEW Women's World Championship. The 32-year-old Austrian, who discovered wrestling at a punk rock show at age 19, has developed immense confidence in her abilities over the past year or two. 'Love it or hate it, I'm the face of AEW now,' proclaimed the new champion.
Thekla describes herself as 'Japan-bred' where she gained most of her wrestling experience. She credits her creative background, combining art forms like drawing, music, and fashion, with her unique approach to wrestling that isn't bound by traditional influences. 'I draw from everything,' she says of her distinctive character that has quickly made her stand out in AEW.