NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
NEW YORK – All Elite Wrestling (AEW) Women’s World Champion Thekla seemingly had every chance of not getting into a four-way dance with her title on the line at Double or Nothing on Sunday.
Thekla faced Jamie Hayter, Kris Statlander and Hikaru Shida for the title. And quickly, his opponents jumped on him as soon as the bell rang. The idea was to keep the “toxic spider” in its own web while the other three tried to gain the upper hand on each other.
ZERO BS. JUST DAKICH. TAKE THE DON’T @ ME PODCAST ON THE ROAD. DOWNLOAD NOW!
Hikaru Shida attends the AEW Double or Nothing event in Queens, New York on May 25, 2026. (Lee South/AEW)
Statlander and Shida were more aligned with each other than Hayter was with anyone else. But it didn’t last very long. Shida hit Statlander with a kendo stick to break up a pinfall attempt. Statlander and Shida then came to blows after Shida slapped his tag team partner in the face.
Thekla would not be dissuaded. Although she was kicked out of the match several times, she waited for the right moment to strike. Hayter and Shida were outside the ring and collided as they each tried to hit a double clothesline.
Thekla presents Kris Statlander in wrestling gear at the AEW Double or Nothing event in Queens, New York on May 25, 2026. (Lee South/AEW)
Thekla competes in the women’s 4-way match at AEW Double or Nothing in Queens, New York on May 25, 2026. (Lee South/AEW)
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON PK Press Club
It was Thekla’s time to shine with Statlander alone in the ring. Statlander was stunned and confused when Thekla nailed her with a nasty stomp. She pinned Statlander for the victory and retain the AEW Women’s World Championship.
The Austrian-born AEW star won the title from Statlander on “Dynamite” in February. Since then, she has made six successful title defenses.
Thekla with the championship at the AEW Double or Nothing event in Queens, New York on May 25, 2026. (Lee South/AEW)
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PK Press Club APP
What happens next for Thekla is unclear. She suggested during the post-show scrum that she was closely watching Owen Hart’s women’s tournament and had picked Triangle of Madness teammate Skye Blue to win it.
