JPN
At the 4-Way Match at New Japan Pro-Wrestling's January 5th Tokyo Dome event, Athena was defeated by Watanabe Momo. This defeat was triggered by interference from Thekla, who was in Momo's corner. An enraged Athena challenged Thekla to a rematch for the ROH Women's World Championship, which she holds, and the match was scheduled to take place in Stardom. Thekla has stated that she will use the ROH belt as a stepping stone to the world stage... Athena
makes the first move, but Thekla brushes it away. They lock up, and Thekla pushes her back and puts her hand around Athena's neck. Athena fights back and locks up again, driving Thekla to the ropes. Thekla slaps Athena as they break the hold. As Athena charges forward, Thekla throws her to the outside. Thekla slams Athena into the apron and throws her into the audience. Athena lands an elbow, and Thekla retaliates by slamming her into the ring post. She then throws her into the audience in another direction and returns her to the ring. Tekla lands a big boot to the side of Athena's head on the apron, followed by a sickle hold. Tekla lands an elbow, climbs to the corner, and applies a hanging figure-four neck lock. As Tekla climbs to the corner, Athena lands a jumping high kick, followed by a backflip from the corner. Tekla counters, landing a series of elbows to the back. She grabs Athena's neck and swings her around with a reverse giant swing. She lands a series of elbows, a corner attack, another elbow, and Athena dodges a front flip charge but lands a big boot. She hangs Athena in the corner and kicks her in the back. Tekla gets up but Athena lands an elbow to the back and another elbow from the front. Athena climbs to the corner but Tekla gets up and lands an elbow, a superplex, and a plancha to the outside. Back in the ring, Athena lands a buzzsaw kick, but Athena counters. Tekla applies a submission hold, but Athena escapes. Tekla lands a big boot, but Athena lands a back drop. Both wrestlers exchange elbows and end up down. Ten minutes have passed. Athena, on her knees, delivers an elbow, which Thekla blocks and who lands an elbow of hers. Athena provokes Thekla and gets slapped. Thekla spits at Athena, who retaliates with a series of elbows, four powerbombs, and finishes with a sit-down. Thekla kicks out, and Athena grabs both of her arms and lifts her up. From there, she delivers a sit-down powerbomb. H.A.T.E. interferes, but Athena drops a dropkick at both of them. She then performs a tope suicida to the outside. Athena lifts Thekla up once more. Thekla counters with a spinning leg lock. Athena kicks out, and Thekla delivers a swinging DDT. Thekla attempts a Curb Stomp, but only gets a two count.
Thekla lands a well-aimed spear. She attempts a Poison Spider Death Drop, but Athena counters with an elbow. She lands an O-Face (Eclipse) for the three count.
Tekla: "Athena! You real bitch! But that's why I like you.
" Athena: "Tekla, I want to fight you again. You said this belt is your ticket to the world, but I want to fight you again anywhere. America would be fine. You're a clean bitch. I'm the same, buddy." Athena
and Tekla shake hands and then hug.
Athena: "Japan, it's always been my dream to fight in this country. I've traveled all over the world and finally this opportunity has come. Thank you, thank you. Thank you. Thank you. If possible, let's meet again soon. Thank you very much. I am the eternal ROH (Women's) Champion. We will definitely meet again!"
"I'm sad. For some reason, today is my last match of this tour. In Japan, I did the Kuma Dance (laughs). I've made friends here in Stardom. And I'm very sad to leave because I love Japan, I love Stardom. I have very mixed feelings about leaving because it was so much fun. Not only as a fighting champion, my passion, but as someone who has been involved in professional wrestling for nearly 20 years, if this were America, I wouldn't shed tears. Absolutely not. Because I'm tough. I'm a wrestler. But today is special. This is my dream, and I've finally made it here. If possible, I'd like to come back and wrestle again. I'd also like to wrestle Tekla. Stardom, you guys, I'm sure you'll see me again. Four Ring Goods, American Joshi. I've traveled the world with many nicknames, and this time I've finally been able to embody the nickname American Joshi. Thank you, Stardom. Thank you everyone. See you again. Arigato gozaimasu."