Kris Statlander on Unexpected AEW Title Win & Chaotic Storylines | Interview
Kris Statlander’s ascent to the top of AEW’s women’s division, while undeniably impressive, arrived at a moment of internal turbulence for the newly crowned champion. Statlander, who captured the AEW Women’s World Championship at , defeating Toni Storm, Jamie Hayter, and Thekla at All Out, admits the victory felt strangely timed, coming amidst a complex web of storylines and personal uncertainty.
In a recent interview with Chris Van Vliet on Insight, Statlander described the “weird” sensation of winning the title while simultaneously navigating a feud with the Death Riders and a fluctuating relationship with her Babes of Wrath teammate, Willow Nightingale. The opportunity presented itself, she explained, but the timing felt off, almost as if she was capitalizing on a situation rather than earning the championship through a clear, focused narrative.
“I feel like actually winning the championship kind of came at a really weird time for me,” Statlander said. “It almost didn’t feel like it was the right time, given that 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 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 exceptionally unsure of what I wanted to do and what path I wanted to grab. 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.”
Statlander’s reign, though marked by the initial disorientation she described, ultimately lasted , when she lost the title to Thekla in a brutal strap match on AEW Dynamite. The defeat came after interference from the Triangle of Madness, bringing Statlander’s championship run to an end after 144 days.
The loss to Thekla, and the circumstances surrounding it, only amplified the sense of uncertainty Statlander felt. “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 as well putting myself and showing everyone who I am as the World Champion,” she stated. The challenge now, she acknowledged, is to solidify her position and define her identity as a champion despite the lingering feeling of being caught in a whirlwind of conflicting narratives.
Following her loss to Thekla, Statlander was deemed “not medically cleared” after the physical contest, leaving Thekla to seek new challengers. Thekla has already publicly expressed interest in a champion versus champion match with Willow Nightingale, signaling the Triangle of Madness’s ambition to dominate the AEW women’s division and collect all available titles. This sets the stage for a potential power struggle within the division, with Nightingale potentially becoming the focal point of Thekla’s dominance.
Statlander’s journey is notable for another distinction: she is the first woman in AEW history to have held both the TBS Championship and the AEW Women’s World Championship. This accomplishment underscores her versatility and resilience, even as she grapples with the complexities of her championship runs and the narratives surrounding them. Her initial win at All Out was a shock to many, as Toni Storm had held the AEW Women’s World Title for 217 consecutive days and was widely expected to retain her championship. Statlander’s roll-up victory was described as one of the most surprising results in recent AEW memory.
The unexpected nature of her initial championship win, coupled with the chaotic circumstances surrounding it, has shaped Statlander’s perspective on her role as a champion. While she acknowledges the pressure to live up to expectations, she also recognizes the importance of navigating the unpredictable landscape of professional wrestling and finding her own path to success. The coming months will be crucial as Statlander recovers and attempts to reclaim her position at the top of the AEW women’s division, potentially setting up a future confrontation with Thekla and the Triangle of Madness.
The situation also highlights the evolving dynamics within AEW’s women’s division. The emergence of the Triangle of Madness as a dominant force, coupled with the ongoing storylines involving Statlander, Nightingale, and other competitors, suggests a period of intense competition and shifting alliances. The division’s future trajectory will likely depend on how these storylines unfold and how the various champions and contenders navigate the challenges ahead.