ROH Women’s World Champion Athena wrapped up her recent tour with Stardom on Monday, defending her title in a singles match against Thekla at Korakuen Hall.
The victory kept Athena’s otherworldly ROH title reign alive through 765 days and marked an end to a five-show stint she had in Japan to kick off 2025, including an appearance at Wrestle Dynasty in the Tokyo Dome.
Athena reflected on the recent Japan tour afterward, describing what it was like to work in the country for the first time.
【1・13 後楽園大会試合後コメント】
アティーナ「日本を離れるのはとても辛い。とても楽しかったから。チャンピオンとしての情熱だけでなく、レスラーとしての情熱も再認識させてくれた」#STARDOM pic.twitter.com/8gst4Pc5p5
— スターダム✪STARDOM (@wwr_stardom) January 13, 2025
“I am very sad to go because I love Japan and I love Stardom,” she said in post-match comments Monday. “It’s very difficult for me to leave because I have had so much fun here, and it has reawaked my passion, not only as a fighting champion, but as a wrestler who has been doing this for almost 20 years. And normally in America, no one sees my cry, never. I’m tough … But this is very special. This is my dream, and I finally got to come here. Hopefully I can come back and compete in front of the most amazing fans with the most amazing women from around the world. So Stardom, you will see me again. The Fallen Goddess, The American Joshi, The Minion Overlord, the inspiration to every women’s division. But most importantly, today, I finally lived up to my nickname of The American Joshi. Thank you Stardom, thank you everyone. I will see you again soon.”
Athena notably offered Thekla a rematch on U.S. soil after they faced off this week. No official second meeting between the two has been confirmed yet.
