Thekla defeated Willow Nightingale at All Out to earn a shot at AEW Women’s World Champion Mercedes Moné at WrestleDream.
The match centered heavily on Nightingale’s injured hand, which Thekla repeatedly targeted throughout the contest.
Nightingale started quickly and sent Thekla across the ring with a Pounce before the challenger turned the momentum by attacking the damaged hand on the ropes.
Thekla continued to wrench the fingers and stomp on the injury, while Nightingale fought back with lariats and a shotgun dropkick using her healthy arm.
Nightingale later applied a Cloverleaf and followed with a powerbomb before taking the action outside with a cannonball from the apron.
Thekla responded with a crossbody to the floor and an Octopus hold at ringside, although Nightingale escaped by driving her into the barricade.
Back inside, Thekla landed a diving double stomp directly onto Nightingale’s injured hand before hitting a spear for a near fall.
The finish brought interference from Julia Hart and Skye Blue.
Hart distracted referee Stephon Smith while Blue struck Nightingale’s injured hand with her championship belt. Hart then entered the ring with a belt of her own, only for Nightingale to duck and leave Thekla taking the shot instead.
Nightingale still could not capitalize, with her injured hand giving way as she attempted the Doctor Bomb.
Thekla immediately stomped the hand again and followed with Blackout for the three-count.
Mercedes Moné then appeared on the entrance stage after the match and raised the AEW Women’s World Championship as she stared down her new challenger.
Thekla will now face Moné for the title at WrestleDream next month.
