Thekla, a rising talent in All Elite Wrestling (AEW), was recently surprised to discover she had been placed on probation after her debut, a decision made by AEW President Tony Khan that had not been communicated to her. Since arriving in AEW shortly after Double or Nothing 2025, Thekla has quickly become a fan favorite through her intense performances and compelling storylines.
The Austrian wrestler, known as The Toxic Spider, made a striking initial impact by attacking Jamie Hayter on Dynamite. She has since engaged in a fierce rivalry with Queen Aminata and teamed up with Skye Blue and Julia Hart to form the Triangle of Madness faction. Her momentum continued last month when she defeated former TBS Champion Willow Nightingale, further establishing her presence in the AEW women’s division. The faction also appears to have allied with Megan Bayne and Penelope Ford, amplifying their conflict against several babyface wrestlers, including TayJay, Willow Nightingale, Aminata, Kris Statlander, and Harley Cameron.
Tony Khan revealed last month that he had imposed a probationary period on Thekla after her television debut, delaying full approval of her AEW contract until July. This decision stemmed from Thekla’s scripted assault on Stardom president Taro Okada, which led to her storyline firing from World Wonder Ring Stardom earlier in April. Despite this, during a recent interview on Hey!(Ew) with RJ City, Thekla expressed that she had no idea about the probation.
“I didn’t even know I was on probation to be honest. Nobody told me.” —Thekla, AEW Wrestler
Recent Developments Involving Thekla’s Partners in AEW
On the August 16 episode of AEW Collision, Thekla’s faction members continued to be active in the women’s division. Kris Statlander, Penelope Ford, Anna Jay, and Julia Hart competed in a high-stakes four-way match for a $100,000 prize. Statlander secured the win by making Julia Hart, Thekla’s teammate, submit after a challenging contest. Following the match, Thekla and Skye Blue ambushed Statlander, escalating tensions within AEW’s female roster.
The struggle intensified as Megan Bayne and Tay Melo joined the brawl along with returning wrestler Harley Cameron, who brought a weapon that forced the attacking faction to retreat. These developments have sparked speculation about a forthcoming Women’s Blood and Guts match, potentially marking the first encounter of its kind in AEW‘s history and setting the stage for a dramatic showdown between these groups.
Implications of Thekla’s Situation Within AEW
The undisclosed probation status has created a sense of unease around Thekla’s standing in AEW, reflecting broader concerns about communication between talent and management. Tony Khan’s choice to place Thekla on probation following her controversial Stardom angle demonstrates AEW’s cautious approach to roster integration, especially when past storylines might affect current company image. Going forward, Thekla’s trajectory in AEW remains closely watched as she navigates these internal dynamics while continuing to build her in-ring reputation alongside prominent wrestlers such as Jamie Hayter, Kris Statlander, and Julia Hart.
The potential for the Women’s Blood and Guts match indicates AEW’s commitment to pushing intense and boundary-pushing women’s matches, which could significantly elevate the division’s profile. Thekla’s involvement in these storylines adds to the unpredictability and excitement surrounding her evolution as a key figure in AEW’s landscape.
