The AEW Women’s Championship — officially known as the AEW Women’s World Championship — is one of the most prestigious titles in professional wrestling today. Established on October 2, 2019, the title has been held by some of the most talented female performers in the world, from the inaugural champion Riho to the current reigning champion Thekla. This complete guide covers the full history of the AEW Women’s Championship, every champion, key statistics, and the latest 2026 updates.
Table of Contents
AEW Women’s Championship — Quick Facts 2026
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | AEW Women’s World Championship |
| Promotion | All Elite Wrestling (AEW) |
| Established | October 2, 2019 |
| Current Champion | Thekla (“The Toxic Spider”) |
| Title Won | February 11, 2026 (AEW Dynamite, Ontario, California) |
| Days Reigning | 161+ days (as of July 2026) |
| Total Reigns | 16 reigns, 11 champions, 1 vacancy (as of July 23, 2026) |
| Inaugural Champion | Riho |
| Most Reigns | “Timeless” Toni Storm (4 reigns) |
| Longest Single Reign | Hikaru Shida — 372 days (1st reign) |
| Longest Combined Reign | “Timeless” Toni Storm — 512 days total |
| Shortest Reign | Hikaru Shida — 25 days (2nd reign) |
| Youngest Champion | Riho (22 years, 120 days) |
| Oldest Champion | Nyla Rose (37 years, 193 days) |
AEW Women’s Championship — Current Champion: Thekla (2026)
“The Toxic Spider” Thekla defeated “The Cosmic Killer” Kris Statlander to capture the AEW Women’s World Championship on the February 11, 2026 edition of AEW Dynamite, live from the Toyota Arena in Ontario, California. The match was contested under Strap Match rules, adding a brutal dimension to what became a genuinely shocking title change. Thekla is in her first AEW Women’s Championship reign and has been champion for over 161 days as of July 2026 — making this one of the longer reigns in recent title history.
AEW Women’s Championship — Complete Title History
| # | Champion | Date Won | Event | Days Held |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Riho | October 2, 2019 | AEW Dynamite (Inaugural) | 175 days |
| 2 | Nyla Rose | March 25, 2020 | AEW Dynamite | 105 days |
| 3 | Hikaru Shida | July 8, 2020 | AEW Dynamite | 372 days (record single reign) |
| 4 | Britt Baker | July 28, 2021 | Double or Nothing | 277 days |
| 5 | Thunder Rosa | March 18, 2022 | AEW Dynamite | Vacated (injury) |
| 6 | Toni Storm (Interim) | September 4, 2022 | All Out | 76 days |
| 7 | Jamie Hayter | November 19, 2022 | Full Gear | 196 days |
| 8 | Toni Storm (2nd) | June 4, 2023 | Double or Nothing | 175 days |
| 9 | Hikaru Shida (2nd) | November 18, 2023 | Full Gear | 25 days (shortest reign) |
| 10 | Toni Storm (3rd) | December 13, 2023 | AEW Dynamite | ~105 days |
| 11 | Mariah May | August 25, 2024 | All In London | ~60 days |
| 12 | Toni Storm (4th) | October 26, 2024 | Grand Slam: Australia | ~90 days |
| 13 | Kris Statlander | Late 2024 | All Out Toronto | ~75 days |
| 14 | Thekla | February 11, 2026 | AEW Dynamite | 161+ days (current) |
AEW Women’s Championship — Every Champion Profiled
1. Riho — Inaugural AEW Women’s Champion
The smallest champion in AEW Women’s Championship history at just 93 pounds, Riho made history as the first-ever AEW Women’s World Champion by defeating Nyla Rose in the tournament finals on October 2, 2019. The Japanese star’s reign lasted 175 days before Nyla Rose finally dethroned her in March 2020. At just 22 years old during her reign, Riho remains the youngest AEW Women’s Champion in history.
2. Nyla Rose — First North American AEW Women’s Champion
Nyla Rose became the first North American AEW Women’s Champion when she defeated Riho on March 25, 2020. At 37 years and 193 days old at the time of her win, Rose is also the oldest champion in AEW Women’s Championship history. Her 105-day reign was marked by dominant defenses before Hikaru Shida ended her run in July 2020.
3. Hikaru Shida — Record-Setting AEW Women’s Champion
Hikaru Shida holds both the longest and shortest single reigns in AEW Women’s Championship history — a remarkable statistical distinction. Her first reign lasted a record 372 days, cementing her as one of the greatest champions in the title’s history. She later captured the title a second time, but that reign ended after just 25 days — the shortest in the championship’s history. Shida’s combined impact on the AEW Women’s Championship story is arguably greater than any other performer except Toni Storm.
4. Britt Baker — The Hometown Hero Champion
Dr. Britt Baker D.M.D. ended Hikaru Shida’s record 372-day reign at Double or Nothing in Jacksonville, Florida, delivering one of the most emotionally charged title wins in AEW Women’s Championship history. Baker — a real-life dentist from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania — had spent years as one of AEW’s most over performers, and her 277-day title reign validated everything fans had believed about her potential since AEW’s founding.
5. Thunder Rosa — First Mexican-Born Women’s World Champion
Thunder Rosa made history on March 18, 2022, becoming the first Mexican-born woman to hold a world championship in a major wrestling promotion, capturing the AEW Women’s Championship in the first women’s steel cage match in AEW history. Her reign was cut short by a back injury, leading to the company’s decision to crown an interim champion rather than vacate the title entirely.
6. Toni Storm — Four-Time AEW Women’s Champion (Most Reigns)
“Timeless” Toni Storm is the most decorated champion in AEW Women’s Championship history — holding the title four times and accumulating a combined 512 days as champion, the longest total reign in the title’s history. Her “Timeless” character transformation — a retro Hollywood starlet persona — became one of AEW’s most acclaimed character arcs and significantly elevated the title’s prestige during her multiple reigns. She also became the first four-time AEW Women’s World Champion when she defeated Mariah May at AEW Grand Slam: Australia at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre in 2024.
7. Jamie Hayter — Power and Presence
Jamie Hayter captured the AEW Women’s Championship at Full Gear on November 19, 2022, in a moment that felt long overdue for one of AEW’s most physical and credible women’s performers. Her 196-day reign featured dominant defenses that played to her powerhouse character. Her eventual loss to Toni Storm at Double or Nothing 2023 set the stage for one of the title’s most creatively rich periods.
8. Mariah May — The Betrayal Champion
Mariah May’s title win at All In London at Wembley Stadium in August 2024 remains one of the most shocking moments in AEW Women’s Championship history — she defeated the woman who had mentored and championed her career, Toni Storm, in a match built on months of slow-burn betrayal storytelling. Her reign lasted approximately 60 days before Storm reclaimed the title at Grand Slam: Australia.
9. Kris Statlander — The Cosmic Killer’s Reign
Kris Statlander won the AEW Women’s Championship in a four-way match at All Out in Toronto, defeating Toni Storm, Jamie Hayter, and Thekla at the Scotiabank Arena. Her reign set up the February 2026 title change against Thekla, who had been positioned as her most dangerous challenger heading into their Strap Match showdown on Dynamite.
10. Thekla — Current AEW Women’s Champion (2026)
Austrian-born Thekla — nicknamed “The Toxic Spider” — became AEW Women’s Champion on February 11, 2026, and has held the title for over 161 days as of July 2026. Her reign represents a significant push for one of AEW’s most uniquely presented characters, and her continued defenses heading through mid-2026 suggest AEW has long-term plans for her championship run.
AEW Women’s Championship — Key Statistics
| Record | Champion | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Most Reigns | Toni Storm | 4 reigns |
| Longest Combined Reign | Toni Storm | 512 days total |
| Longest Single Reign | Hikaru Shida | 372 days (1st reign) |
| Shortest Reign | Hikaru Shida | 25 days (2nd reign) |
| Youngest Champion | Riho | 22 years, 120 days |
| Oldest Champion | Nyla Rose | 37 years, 193 days |
| Lightest Champion | Riho | 93 lbs (42 kg) |
| Heaviest Champion | Nyla Rose | 185 lbs (84 kg) |
| Total Reigns (July 2026) | — | 16 reigns, 11 champions |
AEW Women’s World Tag Team Championship — Also Worth Knowing
Alongside the AEW Women’s World Championship, AEW also operates the AEW Women’s World Tag Team Championship, a newer title established on September 24, 2025. The current champions are the team of Divine Dominion (Megan Bayne and Lena Kross), who won the title at AEW Revolution 2026 on March 15, 2026. The inaugural champions were The Babes of Wrath (Harley Cameron and Willow Nightingale), who held the title for 95 days before losing to Divine Dominion.
AEW Women’s Championship — FAQ
Who is the current AEW Women’s Champion in 2026?
The current AEW Women’s Champion in 2026 is Thekla, nicknamed “The Toxic Spider.” She won the AEW Women’s World Championship by defeating Kris Statlander in a Strap Match on the February 11, 2026 episode of AEW Dynamite in Ontario, California, and has been reigning for over 161 days as of July 2026.
Who has held the AEW Women’s Championship the most times?
Nobody has collected more AEW Women’s Championship gold than Toni Storm — four separate title wins put her ahead of every other performer in that category. Her total time as champion across all four reigns adds up to 512 days, the highest combined figure in the title’s history.
What is the longest AEW Women’s Championship reign?
The longest single AEW Women’s Championship reign belongs to Hikaru Shida, whose first title reign lasted 372 days from July 8, 2020 to July 28, 2021. This remains the record for the longest continuous reign in the championship’s history.
Who was the first AEW Women’s Champion?
Riho was the inaugural AEW Women’s World Champion, winning the title in a tournament final on October 2, 2019 — the same night as AEW’s first Dynamite broadcast. At 22 years old, Riho is also the youngest champion in the title’s history.
When was the AEW Women’s Championship established?
The AEW Women’s World Championship was established on October 2, 2019, as part of AEW’s inaugural Dynamite broadcast. The title was created following Tony Khan’s announcement on June 18, 2019, that AEW would have both a singles and tag team championship for women.
Final Thoughts — AEW Women’s Championship in 2026
The AEW Women’s Championship has evolved dramatically since Riho first held it in October 2019. From Hikaru Shida’s record-breaking reign to Toni Storm’s four-time history-making run to the shocking emergence of Thekla as a long-term champion in 2026, the title has consistently delivered compelling storylines and elevated women’s wrestling on a global stage. For the most up-to-date championship information, visit AEW’s official Women’s Championship history page.
For more wrestling championship coverage and the latest news, keep following WrestleRadar. Also check out our guides on Jade Cargill Net Worth 2026, CM Punk Biography, and WWE Superstars With Shocking Net Worth.
Alex Jordan is the creator and lead author of Wrestleradar.com, where he covers wrestling news, match breakdowns, and behind-the-scenes insights with passion and detail. With a strong eye for storytelling and industry analysis, Alex delivers content that keeps wrestling fans informed, engaged, and entertained.
