AEW sets women's Survival of the Fittest qualifiers and Forbidden Door title bout

During AEW Collision: Summer Blockbuster, Hikaru Shida defeated Zayda Steel and Persephone beat Julia Hart to become the first two qualifiers for the inaugural women's Survival of the Fittest match, which will decide the vacant TBS Championship on 1 July 2026 in San Diego, California.

AEW also confirmed that Thekla will defend the AEW Women’s Championship at the AEW × NJPW Forbidden Door event on 28 June in San Jose, California, facing Stardom’s Starlight Kid. Thekla’s recent criticism of Stardom and its president Taro Okada was highlighted ahead of the bout.

Both events expand AEW’s women's division storyline and add high‑profile matches to the Summer wrestling calendar.