Starlight Kid vs Thekla feud explodes ahead of Forbidden Door
STARDOM's Starlight Kid is AEW Women's World Champion Thekla's Forbidden Door opponent on June 28, and their feud exploded after Thekla invaded Japan, attacked STARDOM president Taro Okada again, was ejected, and claimed she is now 'banned' in Japan while Starlight Kid held the AEW title belt high.
The buildup to AEW's crossover weekend has been one of the most talked-about stories on the wrestling circuit. Thekla called for STARDOM's best to defend her title at Forbidden Door after weeks of disrespect, including spitting on the promotion's logo.
Key Takeaways
- Starlight Kid is set to meet Thekla at Forbidden Door on June 28 in San Jose, California, with Thekla vowing to destroy her at the pay-per-view.
- At STARDOM The Conversion on June 20 in Tokyo, Thekla tried to shave Okada's head and whip him with her belt before Starlight Kid made the save.
- Thekla was corralled by STARDOM wrestlers, ejected from the building, and later said she is 'banned' in Japan.
- On TMZ Inside the Ring, Thekla said she projects past boss grievances onto Okada and called Tony Khan 'very safe' for now.
- PWInsider reported TNT aired a Forbidden Door Countdown show following Collision on June 27.
What happened between Starlight Kid and Thekla in Japan?
Per Cageside Seats, the angle escalated across multiple nights. After Hazuki lost to Mercedes Moné in the Owen Hart Cup, Thekla mocked the defeat and handed Hazuki cash to tell Okada to buy a first-class ticket to Forbidden Door so he could watch her destroy Starlight Kid.
At STARDOM The Conversion on June 20, Okada was addressing the crowd when Thekla appeared behind him and tried to shave his head. She attempted to spit on the STARDOM logo, but Okada shielded it with his body. Thekla whipped him with her championship belt instead.
Starlight Kid ran to the ring for a showdown and gained the upper hand, sending Thekla reeling. STARDOM talent corralled the AEW champion and escorted her backstage. Starlight Kid then posed with the AEW Women's World Championship, smiling as the crowd reacted.
Why does Thekla say she is 'banned' in Japan?
Backstage footage showed security ejecting Thekla from the venue. Cageside Seats reports she is now storyline 'banned' in Japan after laying hands on the STARDOM president and targeting the promotion's logo again.
Cageside Seats notes Thekla was previously fired from STARDOM for attacking Okada before finding success in AEW and winning the women's world championship. She has kept the rivalry alive with repeated invasions and insults.
What did Starlight Kid say about Forbidden Door?
On social media, Starlight Kid addressed Thekla directly. She thanked her for traveling to Japan but stressed that STARDOM's ring is not a place for Thekla to do as she pleases.
Starlight Kid pledged to fly to America on June 28, take the AEW belt, and protect STARDOM from Thekla. She told fans in Japan to cheer her on as she represents both the promotion and the country.
What did Thekla say about Okada and Tony Khan?
In a June 24 appearance on TMZ Inside the Ring, covered by 411MANIA, Thekla explained her heat with Okada. She said she projects frustrations from past bosses who disrespected or underpaid her onto the STARDOM president, adding that beating him is personal fun after five years in Japan.
Asked whether AEW owner Tony Khan fears her, Thekla said he seems to avoid her a little but is 'very safe' for now. She laughed that nobody has barred her from approaching Okada and that 'everybody's scared at this point.'
What else is on AEW's Forbidden Door radar?
PWInsider's June 27 news roundup noted TNT would air a Countdown to Forbidden Door following that night's Collision taping. Sammy Guevara posted on X that his latest chapter was ending, congratulated Sky Team, and teased focusing on his 'real destiny.'
Will Ospreay also did a San Jose radio interview with 107.7 The Bone ahead of the pay-per-view. STARDOM released several YouTube videos tied to the Forbidden Door buildup, keeping the Starlight Kid versus Thekla program in the spotlight on both sides of the Pacific.