Thekla Speaks About Being Coached By Mio Shirai: “She Gave Me Some Of The Moves I’m Still Using To This Day”

Mio Shirai was a big influence on Thekla.

Since February, Thekla has been reigning as AEW Women’s World Champion. She’s had five defenses of the belt thus far, with the latest being at the Collision edition of Spring BreakThru against Alex Windsor.

There’s an interview with Thekla that was conducted by Rob Wolkenbrod of Forbes. She dove into her career and spoke about her time in Japan. She remembers that during the COVID times, she was training with Mio Shirai, the sister of WWE’s IYO SKY. Thekla added that Mio’s influence still shows in her.

“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.”

Mio Shirai served as a wrestler, referee, and trainer for Ice Ribbon. Thekla was with Ice Ribbon from 2019 to 2021.