Thekla said she respects Yota Tsuji’s position on AEW’s relationship with NJPW, speaking with TMZ Sports ahead of Forbidden Door.
Tsuji had suggested earlier this year that NJPW wrestlers should consider skipping Forbidden Door to protect the promotion and its talent. Thekla took no issue with his stance.
“I’ve been seeing the comments that Tsuji has been making. And honestly, I kind of respect him for that because he’s just straight up like, ‘No, we got our own thing here in Japan.’ And he would rather have it all apart from each other,” she said.
She also spoke to her own pride in representing AEW. “I have never been this proud to represent a company, I have to say. This is the most precious bling I’ve ever been holding as a champion. And especially with how Stardom and me, we’re not on good terms, per se.”
Thekla was candid about where the cross-promotional relationship stands: “AEW and New Japan and Stardom and CMLL, I feel like we’re all in one group, one kind of family. But there’s also with comments like Tsuji is making, it’s interesting to see where we’re gonna go. Are we gonna be a happy family or is everybody gonna go their own ways?”
Thekla defends the AEW Women’s World Championship against Starlight Kid at Forbidden Door on Sunday.
