By: Jeff Brown
All photos by Masahiro Kubota
Thekla is an artist, be it in the wrestling ring or in a studio. Her work can be seen in arenas and galleries, as wrestling and painting are two ways in which she expresses herself. Thekla (pronounced with a hard T, like tech or tequila) is respected and accomplished in both fields. Thekla recently had an exhibition of her paintings entitled Fractured at THE GALLERY HARAJUKU , a series of paintings done during her time in a cast. Nothing deters the Toxic Spider of H.A.T.E. as she turned a seemingly negative into a grand positive enjoyed by fans and art aficionados the world over. She had just challenged for the ROH Title against Athena at Korakuen Hall, and while unsuccessful she will surely make a positive of this as well. Thekla took time backstage to talk with Bodyslam about her goals and the parallels of art and wrestling.
What are your thoughts on 2025 so far? You had your art exhibition Fractured and challenged for the ROH title at Korakuen Hall.
I have to say despite the loss this has been a brilliant year so far. I really can’t complain, it’s very busy. I don’t have time to recall anything but it’s really good and how I like it. The exhibition was phenomenal, so many people from all over the world came. Athena is very tough but being able to compete for a Ring of Honor championship with her is massive and from now it’s just going to go up.
Do you find any parallels between your artwork and your wrestling?
Absolutely yeah, one influences the other, the ring is my canvas and when I’m at home I let my thoughts go back to everything that happens in the world as a professional fighter.
What’s next for Thekla? What do you have your sights set on this year?
I’m going to continue what I’m doing right now, but just ten times harder, ten times more successful. I’m definitely going to travel the world this year and I think my name is going to be in a lot of peoples mouths.
Thanks so much to THEKLA for letting us interview her and thanks to Stardom for press access as well.
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