Tay Melo’s long-awaited return to the ring just got a whole lot more exciting, as STARDOM has finally announced her opponents for the New Year Dream show on January 3, 2025. Fans can now look forward to seeing Melo team up with Mina Shirakawa in a high-stakes tag team match against none other than ROH Women’s World Champion Athena and Thekla.
STARDOM made the announcement official on social media, posting a graphic of the match with the caption, “An international tag team match sees Tay Melo make her return to the ring alongside Mina Shirakawa to take on ROH Women’s World Champion Athena and Thekla in tag team action!”
This marks Melo’s first match since March 2023, when she stepped away from wrestling to welcome her daughter, Luna Melo Guevara, with AEW star Sammy Guevara. Tay has been open about the challenges of balancing motherhood with her wrestling career, making her return all the more meaningful.
Melo’s emotional announcement video, where she revealed her return to STARDOM, has already gone viral. “I couldn’t have asked for a better Christmas gift,” she said. “I’m going to Japan! I’m going to STARDOM, and I’m not going alone because I’m bringing my little mermaid with me.”
Now with Athena and Thekla officially confirmed as opponents, this match is shaping up to be a memorable one for Melo’s return to the squared circle. The Tokyo Garden Theater crowd is sure to bring the energy as they witness the next chapter in her story.
Are you excited to see Tay Melo back in action, and how do you think she’ll fare against Athena and Thekla? Share your predictions and thoughts in the comments below!