Former Stardom Star Thekla Debuts, Attacks Jamie Hayter on AEW Dynamite

Thekla, the Austrian wrestler known as the “Toxic Spider,” made a surprising debut on AEW Dynamite by attacking Jamie Hayter during an in-ring interview segment. Her arrival followed months of teases including spider-themed graphics aired during women's matches and rumors after her departure from the Japanese promotion Stardom in April. Thekla’s character, known for its eerie and violent style reminiscent of Bray Wyatt, immediately established her presence with a brutal beatdown of Hayter, who had just lost in the Owen Hart Foundation tournament finals. Thekla’s wrestling background includes a start in Europe, a notable run with Stardom where she won several championships, and a final storyline involving a violent exit. AEW fans and commentators quickly connected her Stardom persona and departure storyline to her aggressive AEW debut, signaling a menacing new threat in the women’s division. Thekla’s signing had been anticipated for weeks, but her impactful introduction on May 28 delivered a clear message of her intentions in AEW.