Thunder Rosa can easily be considered a pillar in AEW's women's division. Since bursting onto the scene, she's managed to become a fan favorite, put on classic bouts, and stay as one of the top stars in AEW. Rosa's trajectory to the top of one of the biggest wrestling companies isn't your typical story. She started off as a social worker until pro wrestling got ahold of her and never let go, leading to her becoming one of the most iconic talents in women's wrestling today.
Thunder Rosa's relatively short but inspiring career should be known to every wrestling fan, so they can appreciate everything she's worked for and earned.
10 Indies (2014-2015)
Thunder Rosa began her pro wrestling career working for various independent promotions. She began on the Sacramento-based Supreme Pro Wrestling promotion. She also worked for other West Coast-based companies, such as Gold Rush Pro Wrestling, All Pro Wrestling, Alternative Wrestling Show, and others. She even wrestled in Japan at World Wonder Ring Stardom from 2015-2016.
9 Kobra Moon (Lucha Underground)
In 2015, Rosa debuted in Lucha Underground Season 2 under a mask and went by the name of Kobra Moon.
She was the leader of the "Reptile Tribe" faction and held the trios championships alongside Daga and Jeremiah Snake. Rosa has spoken about her time at Lucha Underground, expressing how she felt like she didn't belong alongside the veterans because she was still so young and green. Thankfully, she's come a long way.
8 SHINE Wrestling (2017)
Thunder Rosa debuted with Holidead as the tag team "Twisted Sisterz" on SHINE 46 in October 2017. That night, they challenged Ivelisse and Mercedes Martinez for the SHINE Tag Team Championships but were unsuccessful.
They returned in 2018 on SHINE 52, where they won a four-way tag team elimination match for the tag titles. They successfully defended the gold at SHINE 53 and 54 but lost the titles at SHINE 56 in 2019 to Rainbow Bright.
7 Ring Of Honor (2018)
Thunder Rosa debuted in the top independent promotion in North America, Ring of Honor at State of the Art in June 2018. She teamed with Kelly Klein in a tag team match against Sumie Sakai and Tenille Dashwood (Emma in WWE). The following night, Rosa made her ROH singles debut against Dashwood in a losing effort.
Months later, the Twisted Sisterz reunited to take on Britt Baker and Madison Rayne, where they would come out on top.
6 NWA (2019-2020)
After her brief time with Ring of Honor, Rosa debuted in NWA the following year during an episode of NWA Powerr, where she defeated Ashley Vox. She was once again featured prominently in tag team action, often teaming with Marti Belle during November and December 2019.
In 2020, at the Hard Times PPV in January, Thunder Rosa won the NWA World Women's Title, defeating Allysin Kay. She retained the title in her last match against Melina, taking herself to a bigger stage.
5 AEW Debut (2020)
On the September 2nd episode of AEW Dynamite, Thunder Rosa and Serena Deeb made their debuts for the company, with Rosa defeating Deeb in a nine-minute match. Both women would become two of the most respected workers in AEW, and each wrestler has their own series of great matches against future opponents. About two years later, Deeb would be challenging Rosa for the AEW Women's World Championship.
4 AEW All Out 2020
Thunder Rosa would make her AEW PPV debut at All Out 2020 against Women's World Champion, Hikaru Shida. La Mera Mera would also be challenging for the belt on that night at Daily's Place.
Rosa would fail to win the gold after a 16-minute match, but as fans know, the best was yet to come for La Mera Mera.
3 Lights Out Match VS Britt Baker
At Saint Patrick's Day Slam, Thunder Rosa faced Dr. Britt Baker DMD in a classic Lights Out match that is now regarded as one of the best and most brutal women's wrestling matches of all time.
This match proved to be a launchpad for both women as they were put in the main event of the card and stole the whole show. The match is filled with insane spots like Rosa delivering a Death Valley Driver to Baker onto a ladder, a curb stomp onto a chair, a powerbomb onto thumbtacks, and more. Rosa came out on top, but both stars were pushed to new heights after this match.
2 VS Britt Baker (AEW Revolution 2022)
The second time Thunder Rosa and Britt Baker would face each other one-on-one was at Revolution 2022 for the AEW Women's World Championship. This match was the weaker of the trilogy between the two, with constant interference by Rebel and Jaimie Hayter, resulting in Baker retaining the title.
While the result left a bad taste in fans' mouths, it's what happened the following Wednesday on Dynamite where Rosa's journey in AEW would come full circle.
1 AEW Women's World Champion
On Saint Patrick's Day Slam in March 2022, one year after their incredible Unsanctioned Lights Out match, Thunder Rosa would face Dr. Britt Baker DMD once again for the AEW Women's World Championship, this time inside a steel cage.
Both women managed to put on yet another classic in front of Rosa's adopted hometown of San Antonio, Texas. In the end, it was Thunder Rosa who finally dethroned Britt Baker and became AEW Women's World Champion.