For many, pro wrestling is an art in itself, but AEW’s Thekla hesitates to call it one, despite being an artist outside the ring.

Thekla, who creates paintings, said in a recent interview with “The Sportster” that she wants to give pro wrestling its rightful due and not lump it in with art.

“I always thought there was something douchey to taking pro wrestling, which is pro wrestling, and making it something like a douchey art project. You know what I mean? I never wanted to take it away from what it is,” said the AEW Women’s Champion. 

Thekla, who has had a great first year in AEW, is entirely focused on the promotion and making it big there, which has made it difficult for her to focus on her art. She said she tries to balance both by taking breaks from one to focus on the other, while also explaining her creative process.

“It’s just me being by myself. It’s all painting. It’s very like you throw up on your paper and then you take it inside,” she said. “I don’t know. It’s hard to explain. You get stuck with your own thoughts, and you hate your painting, and you love it. It’s a lot of stuff that is crazy, then our wrestling is very hands-on and physical. I like to take a break from this and then do the other thing. That’s what makes it good for me.”

It’s not even been a year since her debut in AEW, but Thekla has already made a mark in the promotion and is currently in her first reign as the women’s champion, which she won from Kris Statlander. She will have her toughest challenge yet of her title reign this weekend at AEW Revolution, when she will face against Statlander once again in a two out of three falls match.

WWE has reportedly signed indie star Nikki Blackheart after her recent tryout with the promotion.

“PWInsider Elite” reports that sources within WWE’s Performance Center have informed them that WWE has secured the signature of the talented indie wrestler. The report added that Blackheart has been wrestling since 2024. 

Blackheart, who is from the Dominican Republic, was recently brought in by WWE as part of its tryout. Following the news of her being invited to the tryout, Blackheart wrote an emotional post on social media, where she thanked the promotion for the opportunity.

“The biggest pinch me moment 🖤 I was officially invited to the @wwe try out. My heart is overflowing with gratitude for all the moments experienced, all the people that have helped me in my journey, my coach, my loved ones, my classmates, all the promoters that took a chance on me, my @lodestone_est2025 girls, and all my supporters that believed in me from day one. I have so much more to say, but for now all I can say is THANK YOU !! 🖤And I’m ready to earn my place @wwerecruit,” she said. 

After the tryout, she was also invited by WWE star Bayley for a women’s training camp called Lodestone, which also included other indie wrestlers like Dreya Mitchell, Izzy Moreno, Erika Reid, and Anita Vaughan, to name a few. The 29-year-old wrestler has featured in promotions like CCW and MPX, where she has wrestled the likes of Harley Cameron and Abadon, and currently holds the women’s titles in both promotions.

AEW star Eddie Kingston is set to return to action once again, albeit not in AEW but Canadian promotion MLP.📺:https://t.co/q6DiwsCikC pic.twitter.com/9zwWQsUin8

— MAPLE LEAF PRO Wrestling (@MapleLeafPW) March 11, 2026

Kingston’s last match was on the February 4 edition of “AEW Collision,” where he teamed with The Rascalz and Ortiz to win their eight-man Parking Lot Fight match against the Grizzled Young Veterans, Big Bill, and Bryan Keith.

MLP’s Global Wars Canada will not just feature Kingston, but also wrestlers from CMLL, AEW, Pro Wrestling NOAH, and NJPW, across two nights — March 27 and March 28. The likes of Ricochet, The Good Brothers, Mascara Dorada, Bishop Dyer, and Daisuke Sasaki are a few of the stars that will compete at the event.