AEW star Thunder Rosa received a special honor away from the ring on July 1, but it wasn’t another championship. Ahead of AEW Dynamite in her longtime hometown area, the City of San Diego officially dedicated the day in recognition of the former AEW Women’s World Champion.
The announcement came just days after Rosa competed alongside Olympia on the Zero Hour pre-show at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door. While the duo came up short against The Divine Dominion, Rosa had another reason to celebrate before Dynamite even began.
San Diego recognizes Thunder Rosa with official city honor
San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria announced on X that July 1 would officially be known as “Thunder Rosa Day.” Alongside the proclamation, he shared photos of himself presenting Rosa with a commemorative plaque.
“San Diego knows a champion when we see one,” Gloria wrote. He praised Rosa’s journey “from Tijuana to Montgomery High School, to Southwestern College, and then the top of the professional wrestling world as an AEW Women’s World Champion,” adding that she represents “San Diego’s grit, heart, and binational spirit.”
Born in Tijuana, Mexico, Rosa grew up in the San Diego area, attending Montgomery High School and Southwestern College before launching her successful wrestling career. The mayor noted that she has continued representing the region while never forgetting where she came from. That’s one hometown pop you can’t script.
Rosa later responded to the announcement on social media (X), calling the recognition “an indescribable honor.”
“Today, July 1, is officially #ThunderRosaDay in San Diego,” she wrote. “Thank you to Mayor Todd Gloria, City Hall, and everyone who made this possible. I carry this honor with pride as I continue representing my people on both sides of the border.”
This marks the second official day proclaimed in Rosa’s honor. Bexar County, Texas, previously declared March 16, 2022, as “Thunder Rosa Day” in recognition of her accomplishments.
The celebration also coincided with AEW Dynamite at Viejas Arena in San Diego, where fans gathered for another night of action. While Rosa had not been announced for the show at the time, July 1 had already become a memorable date in her career for reasons that reached far beyond the squared circle.
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