Thekla’s spider-themed entrance at AEW WrestleDream was one of the most talked-about moments of the night — and now we know who was under that throne. The two men who carried the Toxic Spider to the ring on her custom throne have been identified as independent wrestlers Dante Casanova and Daniel Lacey.
Thekla went all-out for her AEW Women’s World Championship match against Mercedes Moné, riding down the entranceway atop a custom-made throne built around her Toxic Spider character — with Casanova and Lacey doing the heavy lifting beneath her.
Thekla with her throne carriers (Credits: Ringside News)
Working indie wrestlers, not random extras
These weren’t anonymous extras pulled off the street. Both men are established independent wrestlers with real résumés.
Daniel Lacey has competed across the indie scene for promotions including CCW, BRCW, and FIP. Dante Casanova has wrestled for AWE, HAW, and 1FW — and has even stepped inside the ring for Ring of Honor (ROH).
Casanova confirmed their involvement after the show, posting a backstage photo on Instagram alongside Lacey and Thekla showing all three together after bringing the elaborate entrance to life.
Mercedes retains, but Thekla stole the entrance
The grand arrival came before Thekla’s championship challenge against Mercedes Moné. She pushed the champion hard throughout the match and came close on several occasions — but Moné ultimately retained after catching her with the Moné Maker.
Thekla may not have left WrestleDream with the title, but she left with one of the night’s most memorable entrances — and a nice backstage moment for two indie wrestlers who got to be part of a pay-per-view spectacle.
Also Read: Mercedes Moné Retains AEW Women’s World Title Over Thekla at WrestleDream 2026, Watch: AEW WrestleDream 2026 Post-Show Media Scrum With Tony Khan
Source: Ringside News — read the full story there.
