Kris Statlander claimed the AEW Women’s Championship at AEW All Out by triumphing in a four-way match against Toni Storm, Jamie Hayter, and Thekla. The title win marked a significant milestone in Statlander’s career, captured amidst a competitive lineup in a major AEW event.
Toni Storm entered the match carrying momentum from a notable winning streak that featured a victory over Mercedes Mone at AEW All In and a successful Hollywood Ending against Mariah May, known as Blake Monroe in WWE. Despite Storm’s strong run, Statlander seized the opportunity to capture the championship, highlighting the unpredictable nature of professional wrestling.
Reflecting on a Surprising Time to Become Champion
In an interview with Chris Van Vliet on Insight, Statlander discussed the circumstances surrounding her championship reign, describing it as an unusual and unexpected period in her life and career. She expressed that while being a champion is notable, it is not the only measure of a meaningful wrestling career. Statlander revealed a degree of uncertainty she experienced at the time of winning the title, both professionally and personally.
I guess I kind of agree,
she said.
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. 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. Meanwhile, I was still getting harassed by the Deathriders 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. Now I’m in this opportunity to win this belt. I’ve never gotten a chance to win, and I haven’t wrestled four 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. 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, AEW Women’s Champion
Losing the Title and Career Developments
Statlander’s championship run concluded on the February 11 episode of AEW Dynamite, where she lost the AEW Women’s Title in a strap match to Thekla. This defeat ended her reign but added another chapter to her evolving career within AEW’s competitive women’s division.
During the same interview, Statlander briefly mentioned her experience with WWE, referring to a match she had there, though she did not elaborate extensively within this segment of the discussion.
Broader Context of AEW Women’s Division and Wrestling Landscape
This period in Statlander’s career unfolded against the backdrop of ongoing developments in professional wrestling, including attention on other rising talent and established figures making their mark. The AEW Women’s Title remains a pivotal prize, representing both in-ring excellence and the ability to connect with fans amid intense competition.
Statlander’s reflections underscore the complexities athletes face beyond the spotlight, balancing personal challenges with the demands of their profession in a dynamic and often unpredictable environment.
