Kris Statlander, currently the AEW Women’s Champion, is set to defend her title tonight against Thekla in a rare and brutal strap match on AEW Dynamite. This match follows weeks of hostility and interference from Thekla and her faction, the Sisters of Sin, who have persistently targeted Statlander and her allies. With the AEW Women’s Championship on the line, Statlander aims to end the ongoing conflict while solidifying her status as the division’s leading figure.
Statlander acknowledged that despite already defeating Thekla last month, the ongoing attacks forced her to agree to a rematch under this punishing stipulation. She said,
“There’s a tag title match on the line, I said, you behave and you don’t get involved with that one, then I’ll give you a little something, and I’ll give her an even better opportunity of trying to take me out. As much as I wasn’t necessarily wanting to give her the rematch right away, it was for a good reason because I wanted to protect my friends.”
Kris Statlander, AEW Women’s Champion.
When given the option to select the match type by AEW President Tony Khan, Statlander chose the strap match to settle scores decisively. She expressed her belief that Thekla’s continuous attacks justified this harsh encounter, stating,
“She’s been whipping everybody nonstop. I think it’s about time she gets what she’s been given out. I think the strap match is the best way to do that.”
Kris Statlander, AEW Women’s Champion.
Having endured a recent beating by Thekla on AEW Collision, Statlander insists she’s hardened by the experience and warns the Sisters of Sin against involving themselves in tonight’s battle. She explained,
“I think it’s in the Sisters of Sin’s best interest to not get involved because now I’ll have a weapon that I can very easily hit get them with. But if they do, I’m sure the Babes of Wrath would be there to stop anything from happening. I trust my friends, but I also trust my ability to handle myself. I had to get to this point by myself and then later on, reunited with them. So I feel as much as it would be great to have them out there and know that they’re there the whole time, I have to make sure I rely on myself and try not to bring other people into my mess.”
Kris Statlander, AEW Women’s Champion.
Statlander’s Journey From Underdog to AEW’s Top Female Competitor
After overcoming two serious ACL injuries in 2020 and 2022, Kris Statlander has climbed back to the pinnacle of AEW’s women’s division. Once holding the TBS Championship, she captured the AEW Women’s Championship at the September All Out pay-per-view by defeating top contenders Toni Storm, Thekla, and Jamie Hayter. This victory marked a turning point, transitioning her from an underdog to the division’s definitive leader.
Statlander reflected on seizing the moment, saying,
“I was still in a place of trying to figure myself out, Nothing wrong with taking advantage of an opportunity, I say. If I have the chance, why not snatch it? That’s what I did. I think a lot of us were like, Let’s just try and make the best of this moment. She’s clearly lost her mind more than usual, so let’s try and take advantage of it.”
Kris Statlander, AEW Women’s Champion.
Throughout her reign, Statlander has defended the title against formidable opponents, with her victory over Mercedes Moné at Full Gear standing out as a defining moment. This win was not only about retaining the belt but also a declaration of her rightful place atop the division, dispelling lingering doubts about her underdog tag.
Addressing her evolving reputation, Statlander said,
“I think a lot of people still saw me as an underdog because I had never been the world champion, so to speak. But I went into that match as the champion, as the person holding the that Mercedes never held. If I’m just an underdog because I got beaten twice, I don’t think that makes me an underdog. I think that just makes me have less wins against her. So I feel like a lot of people’s perspective of me, even still, is like, I’m an underdog or I’m still trying to find my foot in here, and I don’t know why when I’ve accomplished coming back from two major surgeries. This is my second time as a champion, so I feel like people have this perspective of me, of maybe what they want me to be. And I’m trying to show them I’m not an underdog. I’m the champion. I beat all my hardships. I got to where I am. I know I’m at the top of the top. Maybe some people are still refusing to accept it. Maybe people want Mercedes still at the top. And you know what? She’s incredible. She deserves to be. But in that moment, I was better.”
Kris Statlander, AEW Women’s Champion.
Committed to Earning the Fans’ Respect as Champion
With 144 days as AEW Women’s Champion, Kris Statlander continues to demonstrate her determination to maintain her role as the division’s premier competitor. She emphasizes that her focus isn’t just on winning matches but on embodying the champion that the audience deserves.
She explained her mindset, saying,
“I’m trying really hard to make sure that everything I do is better than I’ve ever done before. I’m trying to make sure that I present myself as a champion and as someone that sees himself or someone that people can see as champion, and they understand the reason why I am in the position that I am. It’s not so much about making sure I have good matches and I beat my toughest opponents. It’s about being the champion that the fans deserve.”
Kris Statlander, AEW Women’s Champion.
Looking ahead to the challenge against Thekla, Statlander wants fans to recognize the effort and passion she brings to the championship and to see beyond the underdog image she once bore. She shared,
“I really hope that they can at least say that they can tell that I have been trying my hardest to provide my best self as champion for them. I may not always get the chance to talk to them as much as I want, and I might not get the chance to wrestle every single week when there’s so much going on. But every time I get the chance to do something, I’m always putting 110% out there, really. That’s my biggest thing.”
Kris Statlander, AEW Women’s Champion.
Kris Statlander’s battle against Thekla for the AEW Women’s Championship is scheduled for tonight on AEW Dynamite at 8pm ET/5pm PT on TBS. Fans should check their local listings to catch this high-stakes match that could further define the future of AEW’s women’s division.
