All Elite Wrestling will air AEW Fyter Fest tonight on TBS and MAX at 8pm ET from the Mission Ballroom in Denver, CO. This four-hour special features Dynamite and Collision.
AEW International Championship: Kenny Omega (c) vs. Mascara Dorada vs. Brody King vs. Claudio Castagnoli
FTR vs. Atlantis Jr. & Templario
AEW Women’s Champion Toni Storm & Mina Shirakawa vs. Skye Blue & Julia Hart (Mercedes Mone on commentary)
Mark Briscoe vs. Jon Moxley
LFI (RUSH, The Beast Mortos & Dralistico) vs. Kevin Knight, Mike Bailey & Komander
The AEW women’s division just got a venomous injection of chaos. Thekla, known to Japanese wrestling fans as the “Toxic Spider,” officially made her presence felt in All Elite Wrestling—launching a surprise attack on Jamie Hayter during the May 29 episode of Dynamite.
The ambush came just as Hayter, fresh off her loss to Mercedes Moné in the Owen Hart Cup final, was set to address the AEW audience about her next move. But before she could even speak, the lights dropped—and when they came back up, Thekla was in the ring, laying waste to the former AEW Women’s Champion. The message was loud and clear: Thekla is here, and she’s not wasting time climbing the ladder.
This dramatic entrance follows weeks of speculation. Thekla officially parted ways with STARDOM in April after a four-year stint that saw her evolve into one of the promotion’s most unpredictable and charismatic figures. Her exit was anything but quiet—following a loss to Sayaka Kurara on April 27, Thekla unleashed a chaotic farewell, attacking company officials, flipping off the crowd, and cementing her heel credentials on the way out.
Originally hailing from Vienna, Austria, Thekla broke into wrestling in 2017 in the underground European scene before gaining attention in the German independent circuit. Her career took a major leap when she moved to Japan, first wrestling for Ice Ribbon—where talents like Riho and Hikaru Shida also cut their teeth—before landing in STARDOM.
Aligning herself with Giulia’s Donna Del Mondo faction, Thekla captured both the Goddesses of STARDOM and Artist of STARDOM Championships. Her tag team success with Momo Watanabe and trios dominance alongside Giulia and Mai Sakurai earned her a solid reputation among joshi wrestling fans.
Rumors of Thekla making the jump to the U.S. swirled shortly after her STARDOM exit, with both WWE and AEW reportedly expressing interest. Ultimately, it was Tony Khan’s promotion that secured her signature—and now, it seems Thekla is wasting no time inserting herself into AEW’s title conversation.
What comes next for Hayter remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Thekla’s bite is every bit as dangerous as her bark. The “Toxic Spider” has spun her web in AEW, and the women’s division better watch out.
Pro wrestling fans were in for a nostalgic shock during this week’s AEW Collision as Zach Gowen — yes, that Zach Gowen — made his first national TV appearance in over two decades. For many, it was a “blink and you’ll miss it” moment, but longtime fans of the early 2000s WWE era instantly recognized the one-legged wrestling pioneer in the crowd. And his presence wasn’t just for show — it was a set-up for something much more personal.
Gowen, who famously competed in WWE, TNA, and the original Ring of Honor, was spotted ringside during the show. Things took a dramatic turn after Ricochet’s match with Angelico. The high-flyer, fresh off a heel turn, took a detour into villainy by taunting Gowen — first with some feigned admiration, then turning full-blown disrespectful.
After mocking Gowen’s legacy, Ricochet escalated the situation by assaulting security and attempting to cut one of their hair. That’s when Gowen had seen enough. He stepped into the ring and stood his ground, even getting a few shots in on Ricochet. But the feel-good moment turned brutal when Ricochet targeted Gowen’s leg, ultimately removing his prosthetic limb in a symbolic (and shocking) act of dominance.
“I haven’t been on a national TV wrestling program in 22 years. Thank you to those that remembered me!!! I haven’t forgotten about y’all either,” he wrote. “The magic of professional wrestling is still very much alive in my soul and I’m so grateful I get to share that once again 🙏.”
The good news? This wasn’t just a one-off nostalgia spot. AEW has confirmed that Gowen will make his official in-ring debut for the promotion next week on Dynamite: Beach Break, where he’ll square off against Ricochet in what’s shaping up to be a must-see clash.
It’s a rare chance for fans to see a full-circle moment — the return of a unique talent who broke barriers, now entering a new chapter with a chip on his shoulder and a chance to shut down one of AEW’s most dangerous new villains.
AEW fans were treated to a blast from the past on this week’s Dynamite, as former WWE and ECW star Rhino made a surprise debut — and in his hometown of Detroit, no less. The veteran powerhouse answered an open challenge for the Ring of Honor World Television Championship, setting up an unexpected showdown with rising star Nick Wayne.
The match was hyped with a cryptic tease that Wayne would face “someone from Christian Cage’s past,” adding fuel to the ongoing drama within the Patriarchy. The mystery opponent turned out to be none other than Rhino, a man whose early career was closely linked with Cage’s. Commentary was quick to remind fans that the two were once “inseparable,” making Rhino’s appearance even more compelling given Cage’s current on-screen persona.
Rhino brought his trademark intensity to the match, initially brushing off Wayne’s offense with brute strength. But the young champion showed resilience, eventually chopping the bigger man down. Outside interference nearly swung the tide — Kip Sabian jumped on the apron to distract the referee while Cage tried to trip Rhino. However, the veteran wasn’t fooled and held his own for a bit longer.
Ultimately, Wayne capitalized on the chaos and landed the Killswitch — a move notably tied to Cage himself — to retain the title.
Post-match, the Patriarchy entered the ring to celebrate, but in true Christian Cage fashion, the celebration came with a dose of passive aggression. Cage went to present Wayne with the championship belt, only to let it fall deliberately to the mat instead of placing it around Wayne’s waist — a subtle but pointed gesture that continues to build the tension in their uneasy alliance.
This unexpected moment not only brought Rhino into the AEW fold for the first time but also added another layer of intrigue to the slow-burn storyline between Christian Cage and Nick Wayne.
Could this be the beginning of a longer run for Rhino in AEW or just a one-night pop for the hometown crowd? Time will tell.
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