Thekla to Defend AEW Women’s World Championship Against Starlight Kid at Forbidden Door 2026

AEW Women’s World Champion Thekla’s next title defense has been confirmed for Forbidden Door 2026.

During tonight’s episode of Collision, Tony Khan took to social media to announce that Thekla would defend her gold against STARDOM’s Starlight Kid at the June 28 event in San Jose, California.

The announcement came in the wake of Thekla’s recent verbal attacks on her former promotion, ranging from her wishing death upon it to spitting on its logo last Saturday. On tonight’s show, Tony Schiavone attempted to apologize for Thekla’s actions on behalf of AEW before the champion cut him off.

The Women’s World Champion launched yet another verbal attack on STARDOM, claiming that her saliva is more valuable than the entire STARDOM locker room. She claimed that she did a favor to her former promotion by spitting on its logo, as it became a talking point among fans. Thekla then offered to defend the AEW Women’s World Champion against a STARDOM talent at Forbidden Door. She also offered President Taro Okada a first-class ticket so that he could witness in person “the monster” he created.

“STARDOM, you had me; you fired me, but baby, look at me now. I’m the AEW Women’s World Champion. On top of the world. The biggest attraction in this business. That’s right, and when I spat on that STARDOM logo last week, I did you a favor. That was the best thing that ever happened to you, because everybody is talking about STARDOM, and it’s because of me. My saliva is worth more than anything you have in that STARDOM locker room. That’s right, and guess what? I know that the whole STARDOM locker room is trying to get a piece of me now. I saw your little tweets. You know, guess what? Why don’t you send me your best girl, and at Forbidden Door, I’m going to give them a shot at this.”

Following that, Tony Khan announced Starlight Kid as her opponent for Forbidden Door 2026.

Just as Tony Schiavone was attempting to apologize to our partners at @wwr_stardom, AEW Women's World Champion @Toxic_Thekla interrupted!

Watch #AEWCollision on TNT & HBO Max pic.twitter.com/5hifXKaQCI

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) June 14, 2026

"STARDOM. You had me. You FIRED me, but baby look at me now!"

AEW Women's World Champion @Toxic_Thekla sends a challenge to the @wwr_stardom locker room for #ForbiddenDoor!

Watch #AEWCollision on TNT & HBO Max pic.twitter.com/6Ac0WsHmti

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) June 14, 2026

#ForbiddenDoor
8e/5p, HBO Max PPV
Sunday, 6/28

AEW Women's World Title@Toxic_Thekla vs @StarLight_Kid11

World Champion Thekla declared war on @wwr_stardom, but Stardom’s Starlight Kid has beaten Thekla before, and she’s stepping up to fight The Toxic Spider at Forbidden Door! pic.twitter.com/xK4Caw747o

— Tony Khan (@TonyKhan) June 14, 2026

AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door 2026 will emanate from the SAP Center in San Jose, California, on Sunday, June 28.

Below is the updated lineup:

* Women’s Owen Hart Cup Tournament Finals: TBD vs. TBD.
* Men’s Owen Hart Cup Tournament Finals: Swerve Strickland vs. Will Ospreay.
* Kenny Omega vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
* AEW Women’s World Championship Match: Thekla vs. Starlight Kid
* 12-man Steel Cage Match: Team MJF vs. Team Mark Briscoe. If Briscoe’s team wins, he will earn an AEW World Championship match against MJF.