From Probation to Promotion: Tony Khan Officially Welcomes “Toxic Spider” Thekla to AEW Roster

After weeks of speculation and silence, AEW President Tony Khan has made it official: Thekla is now All Elite.

The Austrian-born star known as “The Toxic Spider” had a standout debut in late May and began competing regularly in June—but fans quickly noticed one thing missing: the signature “All Elite” welcome graphic. In AEW, no graphic usually means no deal, which sparked questions across the wrestling community.

Now we know why.

“Due to her attack on President @tokada_mh4e + her termination for cause from @we_are_stardom, after her debut June 4 at Fyter Fest #AEWCollision, I placed Thekla on a 45-day probation period before validating her contract,” Khan wrote on social media.“Her probation ended today. @toxic_thekla is All Elite!”

The incident Khan refers to was part of a kayfabe storyline, where Thekla “attacked” Stardom President Taro Okada and was subsequently “fired.” In reality, this was all a setup for her jump to AEW, but the 45-day hold added a layer of intrigue to her arrival.

Thekla’s in-ring performances haven’t disappointed. This past week on AEW Dynamite, she scored a victory in a chaotic fatal four-way match—thanks to interference from Julia Hart and Skye Blue, who appear to be forming a new faction alongside her. The trio brings a dangerous energy to AEW’s women’s division—and now, with Thekla’s status made official, expect that chaos to escalate.

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AEW’s decision to delay Thekla’s official “All Elite” status is telling—and honestly, smart booking.

In an era where contract announcements often feel like formality, AEW used the silence to fuel fan speculation and build mystique around Thekla’s role. It also reflects a shift in tone—not everyone gets handed a contract on Day 1. You’ve got to earn your place in Khan’s locker room, and that’s exactly what Thekla did.

Meanwhile, the women’s division just got a little more venomous. With Thekla, Skye Blue, and Julia Hart forming what looks like a new stable, AEW has the chance to inject fresh storylines—and a darker edge—into a division that’s needed it.