Following Kris Statlander’s victory at the AEW Women’s World Championship at All Out, her first challenger has been officially announced. AEW President Tony Khan revealed that Mina Shirakawa will be the initial contender Statlander must face, setting the stage for an intense rivalry on Dynamite.
At the pay-per-view event, Statlander secured the Women’s World Championship by winning a four-way match, pinning Toni Storm to claim the title. This victory made Statlander the first woman in AEW history to hold both the Women’s World Title and the TBS Championship. Storm, despite losing, expressed both shock and pride as Statlander dethroned her.
On social media, Tony Khan confirmed Shirakawa as Statlander’s first opponent. Shirakawa, motivated by a desire to avenge her close friend and determined to challenge the new champion, accepted the role of challenger. This match is scheduled for the next episode of AEW Dynamite.
“Wednesday Night #AEWDynamite 8pm ET/7pm CT TOMORROW AEW Women’s World Title @CallMeKrisStat vs @MinaShirakawa After her All Out World Title win, Statlander said she wants be a fighting champ! On a winning streak + aiming to avenge Toni, Mina’s stepped up! Stat vs Mina TOMORROW!” TK wrote.
Other Top Competitors Eyeing Kris Statlander’s Championship
While Shirakawa has been confirmed as the first challenger, another prominent AEW star, Mercedes Moné, has shown strong interest in pursuing the Women’s World Title. The former champion has made it clear that she aims to add to her collection of belts.
Moné, who missed out on winning the title from Toni Storm, has defeated Statlander twice in singles matches, suggesting a competitive rivalry might be underway. After Statlander’s championship win, Moné responded to the announcement with a pair of wide-open eyes emojis, indicating her intention to seek the title once again. Statlander, however, dismissed the interest with a brief “Unbelievable.” reply, signaling tension between the two.
It remains uncertain if Moné will issue an immediate challenge for the AEW Women’s World Title, as she must also contend with the competitors targeting her TBS Championship, making her future confrontations unpredictable.
Significance of Statlander’s Title Run and Upcoming Challenges
Kris Statlander’s ascent to become a dual champion in AEW marks a pivotal moment in the promotion’s women’s division. Her willingness to defend decisively against tough challengers like Mina Shirakawa highlights her confidence and ambition to be a fighting champion. This attitude is likely to keep fans on edge as rivalries develop rapidly.
The announcement of Shirakawa as the first challenger emphasizes AEW’s commitment to showcasing international talent and building compelling storylines. Meanwhile, Mercedes Moné’s looming presence ensures that the Women’s World Championship picture will remain intense and highly competitive in coming weeks.
As Dynamite approaches, wrestling fans can expect heated confrontations that will test Statlander’s ability to retain her title amid eager challengers seeking to establish dominance. The rivalry between Statlander, Shirakawa, and Moné promises to elevate the women’s division and keep the championship scene dynamic and unpredictable.
Wednesday Night #AEWDynamite
8pm ET/7pm CT
TOMORROWAEW Women's World Title@CallMeKrisStat vs @MinaShirakawa
After her All Out World Title win, Statlander said she wants be a fighting champ!
On a winning streak + aiming to avenge Toni, Mina’s stepped up!
Stat vs Mina
TOMORROW! pic.twitter.com/dGrF5lpU7y— Tony Khan (@TonyKhan) September 23, 2025
