Summary

Thekla says Mio Shirai was one of the most important influences on her development as a wrestler.

Reflecting on her time in Japan, the AEW Women's World Champion said she trained under Shirai during the pandemic while working in Ice Ribbon. With fewer students around at that time, Thekla said she received more direct coaching and still uses some of what Shirai taught her.

Thekla has held the AEW Women's World Championship since February and has already made five successful defenses. Her most recent title defense came against Alex Windsor on the Spring BreakThru edition of Collision.

Quote from Thekla

Speaking about the coach who shaped her the most, Thekla said:

"I think who shaped me most is one of my teachers when I was wrestling with Ice Ribbon in Tokyo. Her name is Mio Shirai. She is actually the sister of IYO SKY in WWE. She used to be my coach during the pandemic time where most of the students decided to stay at home, so I had a lot of time dedicated to me, and she gave me some of the moves that I'm still using to this day, and she really lit a fire under my pro wrestling green ass."

How Mio Shirai's coaching connects to Thekla's AEW run

Thekla tying her current style back to Mio Shirai matters because it gives more context to the version of her now leading AEW's women's division as champion. It also reinforces that her current run is built on lessons from her Ice Ribbon years, not just the momentum she has created in AEW over the last few months.

Mio Shirai worked in Ice Ribbon as a wrestler, referee, and trainer. Thekla wrestled for the promotion from 2019 to 2021.

Sources

Thekla while speaking with Rob Wolkenbrod of Forbes