Athena's big debut outside AEW announced for 2025

AEW is gearing up for another big collaboration with its partner promotions in January. However, Athena will be heading over to Japan a bit earlier than the rest of the All Elite Wrestling and ROH rosters. She's just announced her debut in World Wonder Ring Stardom.

Athena has called herself an American Joshi in the past, so it only seems right for her to compete in the most famous Joshi wrestling promotion in the world. The reigning ROH Women's World Champion took to X/Twitter today to announce that she would be making her Stardom debut on January 3.

The 36-year-old will compete in tag team action alongside Thekla against two as-yet-unannounced opponents. You can check out her announcement below:

"It's gonna be me and Thekla against two porcelain hussies," said Athena. "But I am super excited to be here, because this is the world tour, baby! And I've been waiting for this my entire life." [From 0:23 to 0:38]

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AEW heads to Japan for Wrestle Dynasty on January 5, 2025

All Elite Wrestling has seen enormous success with its annual Forbidden Door pay-per-view. The event began as a collaboration between Tony Khan's company and New Japan Pro-Wrestling, but it's expanded to include fellow partner promotions CMLL and Stardom.

Thus far, the interpromotional super shows have been relegated to the United States. However, NJPW is now set to hold its own collaborative event, dubbed Wrestle Dynasty, the day after Wrestle Kingdom 19.

Several AEW stars will compete at the pay-per-view, including Mercedes Mone, The Young Bucks, Ricochet, Willow Nightingale, Athena, and more. But what seems to have grabbed the most attention is the in-ring return of Kenny Omega.

The Best Bout Machine has been out of action since December 2023, when he was diagnosed with diverticulitis. Omega will make his comeback at Wrestle Dynasty in a match against Gabe Kidd.

Although Kenny's in-ring return will happen in Japan, recent reports have indicated that he could make an appearance at Worlds End 2024. Whether the former AEW World Champion shows up before the end of the year remains to be seen.