At All Out 2025, Kris Statlander captured the AEW Women’s World Championship by defeating Toni Storm, Thekla, and Jamie Hayter in a high-profile match. This marked her first reign as Women’s World Champion and a significant milestone in her career. The win was notable as it occurred shortly after Storm’s remarkable run, which had established her as one of the biggest names in wrestling.
Prior to losing the championship, Toni Storm had been enjoying tremendous success, including a dominant victory over Mariah May and handing Mercedes Mone her first AEW defeat at All In: Texas in front of over 21,000 fans. Despite Storm’s impressive momentum, Statlander ended her reign just two months after Storm’s victory over Mone, claiming AEW’s premier prize.
Statlander’s triumph was particularly meaningful given her journey with AEW since joining the company in 2019 and overcoming two serious knee injuries. Her reign also made her the first woman in AEW history to hold both the World Championship and the TBS Championships, highlighting her versatility and resilience.
The Unpredictable Chapter of Statlander’s Championship Reign
During her time as champion, Kris Statlander successfully defended the title five times, though her reign did not generate the same buzz among fans as Storm’s had earlier in the year. Ultimately, Statlander lost the championship to Thekla in a brutal Strap Match on February 11, ending her reign in dramatic fashion.
In an interview with Chris Van Vliet, Statlander reflected for the first time on her experience as World Champion. She described this period as “an odd time,” admitting that winning the championship came at an unusual moment in her life and career.
“I feel like you shouldn’t always necessarily need to brand yourself as a champion in order to be worthy of having this memorable career, so to speak. I feel like actually winning the championship kind of came at a really weird time for me.” Kris Statlander
Statlander revealed that she faced challenges in fully embracing her role as champion because the circumstances around the title win felt chaotic. She explained how the match was arranged almost on the fly by Toni Storm, adding complexity to her championship journey.
“It almost didn’t feel like it was the right time, because the way Toni Storm went about making the match was like, ‘you, you, you, let’s go do it,’ and we’re like, ‘okay,’ so it’s kind of like taking advantage of an opportunity.” Kris Statlander
“Meanwhile, I was still getting harassed by the Death Riders and trying to sneak my way out of dealing with them. And then the up and down situation with Willow, and then me and Harley were kind of a thing. It was like a really, really weird time where I was very unsure of what I wanted to do and what path I wanted to take.” Kris Statlander
“Now I’m in this opportunity to win this belt. I’ve never gotten a chance to win, and I haven’t wrestled for in years at this point, so it’s like, I’m not gonna not take the opportunity, just because in my mind, things are all over the place.” Kris Statlander
“But at the same time, it felt really weird. It was just kind of like, well, I guess we’re here, so okay, and now it’s just kind of been an uphill battle trying to cement myself and find myself, while also putting myself and showing everyone who I am as the World Champion. So it’s been a really odd time.” Kris Statlander
Post-Title Run and Future Implications for Statlander
Since relinquishing the AEW Women’s World Championship, Statlander has competed in only one match, teaming with Thunder Rosa to secure a victory against the Sisters of Sin. Her championship run, marked by both triumph and personal uncertainty, provides insight into the complexities wrestlers face behind the scenes while navigating their careers.
Statlander’s tenure as AEW Women’s World Champion stands as a testament to her persistence and adaptability in a highly competitive environment. Her unique position as the first woman to claim both the World and TBS titles reflects her exceptional talent. Moving forward, it remains to be seen how Statlander will rebuild momentum and define her legacy within AEW’s women’s division.
