After breaking out spectacular new ring gear for her AEW debut, Athena has set Tony Khan an interesting challenge for All Out in August!
Throughout wrestling history fans have been treated to some truly spectacular and unique entrances, but Athena has had an idea that might top the lot.
The star formerly known as Ember Moon in WWE was released by the company in November 2021, and after a short stint on the independent scene arrived in AEW at Double or Nothing. After confronting Jade Cargill at the show, Athena made her in-ring debut on the following episode of Rampage against resident Jade Cargill ‘Baddie,’ Kiera Hogan.
Speaking with Alex Lajas on Complex Unscantioned, the former NXT Champion broke down how her elaborate ring gear, complete with impressive mechanical wings, came about.
“I was like, ‘I want wings. I don’t know how or why, I just want wings.’ My husband said, ‘why do you want wings?’ ‘I just want them’ I had never seen anyone come to the ring with wings. Everyone has the angel wings and they are all on the tron. ‘I want some damn badass wings that open and shut.’ ‘Where are you going to find that?’ ‘I have no clue.’
I went midnight hunting on some website, I saw these wings and was like, ‘those are the ones. Here is my tester pair, I will throw some LED lights on them. This is the Fallen Goddess.’ I was planning on using these wings before I got signed to AEW.
They just took forever to make. The jacket she had made to anchor it off of didn’t fit. I came home after Double or Nothing, I was home for half a day, I had four hours to throw on an entrance piece that would be heavy duty enough to anchor the wings. I basically made the entire jack and harness piece off the LED lights because I thought it needed a little pizzazz and I have 10,000 strips because they are pretty.”
Looking ahead, Athena explained that she wants to push the boundaries of her presentation, pointing to some impressive entrances from wrestling’s recent past.
“The next set of wings I have are pretty awesome. If I’ve learned anything, it’s that I want to be me and the best me possible. A lot of that has to do with presentation.
As much as I love my wings, I don’t think they are big enough. I want to push the limits of my skill level, which is slim to none [laughs], and let people know that not only am I badass, but I have a presentation to go with it. Presentation is everything. I remember Miro riding out on the tank at WrestleMania. Bianca had the marching band. Lexi [Alexa Bliss] coming down off the massive pedestal. Young Bucks coming out to Viva Superkick Party. Adam Cole and his Halo gear.
It’s the presentation of what we do. ‘Oh snap, I wonder what’s going to happen next.’ I’m always going to be that person that changes. My hair colour has changed 12 times this year. I love colour and changing my hair. It’s the way I choose to express myself. It’s no different than when I’m in the ring, when I make my entrance, I always want to push the limits and boundaries for creativity,”
After co-host Alex Queen of the Ring joked that Athena should get a Dragon for All Out, the star set AEW President Tony Khan a unique challenge. It is her birthday after all.
“You know what else is in August, Mr. Tony Khan, it’s my birthday. A dragon. We could consider it a birthday present. We’ll figure it out. If you could, Mr. Tony, sir, that would be fantastic,”
Athena is the next contender to attempt to break Jade Cargill’s unbeaten streak and capture the TBS title.
H/T Fightful.com for transcription.