Thekla had plenty to say about Forbidden Door, AEW, Stardom, NJPW, and where all of these promotions stand with each other. She also made it very clear that her pride in AEW is on a totally different level from what she felt in Stardom.
During her conversation with TMZ’s Inside the Ring, Thekla was asked about Forbidden Door and Yota Tsuji’s comments about wanting NJPW to focus on its own lane. Thekla said she actually respects that point of view, because there is something real about a company wanting to stand on its own. Then she shifted to what AEW means to her right now.
“I do, I have never been this proud to represent a company, I have to say. So I’m especially, this is the most precious bling I’ve ever been holding as a champion.”
Thekla then brought up her own rocky feelings about Stardom. She said things between her and the company are not exactly warm, and she admitted she never had this kind of pride representing them.
“And especially with how Stardom and me have, you know, we’re not on good terms per se. So, and I’ve never been that proud to represent Stardom anywhere.”
She also said Forbidden Door creates an interesting situation because AEW, NJPW, Stardom, and CMLL all look connected on the surface, but there may still be some tension under the hood. Then Thekla summed up her view of Forbidden Door.
“It’s interesting to see how it’s all going to play out, honestly, because 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’s making, it’s interesting to see where we going to go, you know, as a, are we going to be happy family or is everybody going to go their own ways, you know?”
“I think the Forbidden Door is there to be kicked down and burn. But also, you know, there’s something to New Japan trying to get back on their feet just all by themselves. That’s what I think.”
Thekla clearly has no problem representing AEW now, but her Stardom feelings are a different story. She didn’t dance around it, either. She said AEW’s title means more to her, and she never felt that same pride carrying the Stardom banner.
What do you think about Thekla saying she was never that proud to represent Stardom? Was she right to be that blunt, or should she have kept that part quiet? Leave your feedback below.
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