Athena, the reigning ROH Women’s World Champion, has issued a clear warning to Toni Storm ahead of their scheduled match at the AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door event on August 24. Holding the ROH title for over 900 days, Athena is targeting Storm’s AEW Women’s World Championship, intensifying the stakes with this high-profile showdown.
After securing her shot by winning the All In: Texas Women’s Casino Gauntlet in July, Athena has maintained her focus on Toni Storm. The challenger’s momentum grew after she pinned Storm during an earlier tag team match, boosting her confidence as she aims to claim the AEW Women’s title at Forbidden Door.
Recent Confrontations Build Tension Between Athena and Toni Storm
The tension between Athena and Toni Storm escalated during last week’s AEW Dynamite, where the two clashed in a heated exchange. The confrontation escalated further when Storm’s ally Alex Windsor and TBS Champion Mercedes Mone, also a participant in Forbidden Door, joined the fray. Consequently, Storm challenged Athena and the AEW CEO to a tag match scheduled for the upcoming Dynamite episode in Scotland.
Additionally, Athena and her associate Billie Starkz caught Toni Storm by surprise during last Saturday’s AEW Collision event. The attack was interrupted by Mina Shirakawa, preventing further harm to Storm. In the days since, Athena has used social media to emphasize her intent by sharing images of the ambush while reiterating her mission to dethrone Storm as the Women’s World Champion.
Highlights from Last Week’s AEW Collision in Cincinnati
The August 16 episode of AEW Collision aired from Cincinnati’s Andrew J Brady Music Center and featured seven matches. Notable results include:
- Jon Moxley and Wheeler Yuta, representing The Death Riders, defeating JetSpeed (Kevin Knight and Mike Bailey)
- Ricochet earning a victory over Ace Austin
- Kyle O’Reilly and Roderick Strong from Paragon overcoming Blake Christian and Lee Johnson
- Kris Statlander winning a four-way $100,000 match against Anna Jay, Julia Hart, and Penelope Ford
- Juice Robinson defeating Bryan Keith
- Nigel McGuinness prevailing over Daniel Garcia, Hechicero, and Lee Moriarty in a contenders’ match for Zack Sabre Jr.’s IWGP World Heavyweight Championship
The results from Collision have built anticipation around Tony Khan’s plans for the upcoming Glasgow event, where Athena and Toni Storm will face off amid rising tensions.
Implications of Athena’s Pursuit of the AEW Title
Athena’s long reign as ROH Women’s World Champion and recent confrontations indicate a potential shift in AEW’s women’s division hierarchy. Her rivalry with Toni Storm promises high drama as the Forbidden Door event approaches, with the possibility of a new champion emerging in Glasgow. Fans and analysts will closely watch how this clash affects the wider AEW women’s landscape going forward.
