Tony Khan names Thekla the ‘MVP’ of AEW’s new signings

It has been less than 12 months since Thekla’s debut in AEW, but she has already made a great impression on her boss. 

Tony Khan discussed Thekla and some of the other talent he signed in 2025 during an appearance on The Masked Man Show.

“I think when you look at the champions on the women’s side, I would say absolutely Thekla would be … the MVP of the new arrivals as world champion,” Khan said. “And she’s been fantastic.” 

Khan pointed out how Jamie Hayter was Thekla’s first rival in the promotion. 

“When [Thekla] arrived, she had a goal of winning the world title, but the very first thing she did was go after Jamie Hayter,” he said. “And Jamie Hayter been a huge part of AEW, one of our most popular stars, a former world champion. And Jamie Hayter versus Thekla I think is a really compelling, exciting rivalry, and I’m excited for their match this weekend at AEW Dynasty. I think Thekla’s been a huge part of the company on the women’s side.”

Khan also called his current trios champions “fantastic signings.”

“All three of them,” he said. “They represent very different places in their careers, different experiences, different backgrounds, but three great wrestlers that we’ve signed in the past year in Mistico and Speedball Bailey and of course the Jet Kevin Knight. I can’t believe those two have only been around for a year. I’m the biggest Speedball fan in the world. They’ve had an incredible run.”

Mistico & Speedball Bailey & Kevin Knight will defend their AEW World Trios Championships against the Dogs on Collision this Saturday, April 11. The next night, Thekla will defend her AEW Women’s World Championship against Hayter this Sunday, April 12, at AEW Dynasty.