The first defense of Thekla’s inaugural AEW Women’s World Championship reign is officially scheduled, and the champion faces a daunting task. Next Wednesday on AEW Dynamite, Thekla will put her newly won gold on the line against former champion Thunder Rosa in a highly anticipated first-time-ever singles match.
Home State Advantage for the Challenger in El Paso
The championship bout carries additional weight as it will take place in El Paso, Texas—the home state of the challenger. Thunder Rosa made a dramatic and surprise return to AEW programming last Wednesday after being sidelined with a severe injury since the All In Texas event last July. She immediately aligned herself with Kris Statlander to wage war against Thekla and the Sisters of Sin faction. Rosa quickly proved she hasn’t lost a step, defeating Julia Hart on Saturday’s episode of Collision in her first official match back.
Thekla shocked the wrestling world earlier this month when she managed to defeat Statlander to capture the AEW Women’s World Championship. Before the two square off on Dynamite, Thekla is scheduled to appear on this Saturday’s Collision broadcast to address the audience, while Rosa will team with Statlander against Hart and Skye Blue.
For Thunder Rosa, this match represents a crucial opportunity for career redemption. She is looking to secure her second run with the company’s top prize. Her first reign ended abruptly in August 2022 when she was forced to vacate the championship due to a debilitating back injury that kept her entirely out of in-ring action for well over a year. With the hometown crowd firmly behind her in El Paso, Rosa aims to reclaim the championship she never formally lost in the ring.
