Tag: Kris Statlander

MJF segment, Lights Out Philly Street Fight set for AEW Dynamite/Collision

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Update —

AEW has also announced that new World Champion MJF will celebrate his title win this Wednesday, just three days after defeating Darby Allin at Double or Nothing to regain the belt.

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The first match is on the books for this Wednesday’s three-hour Dynamite/Collision live special.

On the heels of Double or Nothing, AEW comes to The Liacouras Center in Philadelphia this Wednesday night. Fittingly, in the city that gave birth to ECW, there will be a Lights Out Philly Street Fight between former partners Kris Statlander and Hikaru Shida. The bout was proposed by Statlander and then accepted by Shida.

Statlander cut a social media promo saying that it did not hurt when Shida struck her with a kendo stick at Double or Nothing. In fact, Statlander wants more of it.

“I want to do it all over again, and we’re going to be in the perfect place,” Statlander said. “So, Wednesday, my dear friend — me, you, and a Philly Street Fight.”

“Stat, I’ve been really patient with you. But now my patience has run out,” Shida responded. “You want me in a Philly Street Fight? I run Philly. My fans, they always bring the ‘Shida Best Around’ sign. You want me? You got me.”

Statlander and Shida’s uneasy team split at Double or Nothing when they, along with Jamie Hayter, challenged for the AEW Women’s World Championship in a four-way match. The bout ended with Thekla getting the win to remain champion.

“Lights Out” is how AEW brands its unsanctioned matches. If tradition holds, this will main event Wednesday’s broadcast or at least the Dynamite portion of it.

AEW Dynamite/Collision (Wednesday, May 27) —

  • MJF celebrates his AEW World Championship win
  • Lights Out Philly Street Fight: Kris Statlander vs. Hikaru Shida
  • The fallout from Double or Nothing

Hikaru Shida turns against Kris Statlander, Thekla retains at AEW Double or Nothing

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

Thekla has retained her AEW Women’s World Championship at Double or Nothing, while things turned more tense between Hikaru Shida and Kris Statlander.

Toward the final stages of the May 24 edition of AEW Double or Nothing, fans saw Thekla defend her Women’s World title against Jamie Hayter, Hikaru Shida, and Kris Statlander.

Midway through the bout, fans saw Shida unknowingly hit Statlander, but she brushed it aside and continued through the match. Things turned more tense as Statlander later confronted Shida, and the two began an exchange before the other two women interfered.

Later, toward the closing moments of the match, fans saw Statlander hit the Saturday Night Fever on Thekla and cover her for the pinfall. However, it was her partner, Shida, who broke the pinfall attempt with a kendo stick. Shida hit Statlander with the kendo stick before she was sent outside to the ringside. Shida was then attacked and taken out by Hayter, while Thekla performed the stomp on Statlander and covered her for the win.

Shida’s decision to turn on Statlander and deny her the title win will intensify the already difficult dynamic of their partnership.

Meanwhile, Thekla has been the champion since February 2026 and is 103 days into her Women’s World title reign.

Women’s title four-way set for AEW Double or Nothing

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

Thekla is set to defend her Women’s World Championship at AEW Double or Nothing in a four-way match.

It was announced during the May 9 episode of AEW Fairway to Hell that Thekla’s AEW Women’s World title will be on the line at the Double or Nothing PPV.

The Austrian pro-wrestler will defend her championship against Hikaru Shida, Kris Statlander, and Jamie Hayter in a four-way match at AEW Double or Nothing 2026.

Thekla has been the champion since February 2026 and has held the title for almost 88-days now. The upcoming match at Double or Nothing will mark Thekla’s sixth title defense.

AEW Double or Nothing 2026 updated match card

AEW Double or Nothing is scheduled to take place on May 24, 2026, at Louis Armstrong Stadium in Queens, New York.

  • Thekla (c) vs. Hikaru Shida vs. Kris Statlander vs. Jamie Hayter for the AEW Women’s World Championship
  • Kazuchika Okada (c) vs. Konosuke Takeshita for the AEW International Championship
  • FTR (Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler) (c) vs. Cage and Cope (Adam Copeland and Christian Cage) in a tag team “I Quit” match for the AEW World Tag Team Championship
  • Chris Jericho, Kenny Omega, Jack Perry, and The Young Bucks (Matt Jackson and Nick Jackson) vs. The Demand (Ricochet, Bishop Kaun, and Toa Liona), Mark Davis, and TBD – Stadium Stampede match

Women’s Tag Team title match added to next AEW Dynamite

Posted on by Bryan Rose

The Women’s Tag Team titles will be on the line this Wednesday.

Divine Dominion (Megan Bayne & Lena Cross) will defend the titles against Kris Statlander and Hikaru Shida following a promo that took place during Saturday’s Collision. Harley Cameron was upset about comments Shida made, with Mina Shirakawa asking Shida to apologize. The former AEW Women’s Champion instead insulted Cameron to her face and said she and Statlander would win the titles from Divine Dominion.

Later in the show, Bayne and Cross seemed to accept Shida’s challenge, with the match later being confirmed for this coming Wednesday.

Shida returned to television in recent weeks focused on building a relationship with Statlander, all while acting heelish to anyone else she came into contact with. While Shida would say nice things in English, she would say more cruel things in Japanese, with both Cameron and Shirakawa picking up on Shida’s actions.

It was also announced Rush would be in action in Fairfax, Virginia. He was dominant on Saturday, defeating Adam Priest.

Current AEW Dynamite lineup | Next Wednesday | Fairfax, VA

  • AEW World Champion Darby Allin defends against Brody King
  • AEW Women’s Tag Team Champions Divine Dominion defend against Kris Statlander & Hikaru Shida 
  • TNT Champion Kevin Knight defends against MJF
  • Rush will be in action

AEW talent part of updated Stardom American Dream lineup

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

With almost a couple of weeks left for WWE WrestleMania 42 in Las Vegas on April 18-19th, 2026, Japanese wrestling promotion STARDOM has now announced their updated lineup for American Dream on the same week.

Multiple AEW talents will be visiting Las Vegas on April 17 during the WWE WrestleMania week to compete in the Stardom American Dream event.

NJPW STRONG Women’s Champion and AEW wrestler Alex Windsor is scheduled to defend her title against Saya Iida. Maika & Mina Shirakawa will take on HANAKO & Yuria Hime.

Athena is also scheduled to face Rina, while Mei Seira, Starlight Kid, & AMZ will take on Harley Cameron, Willow Nightingale, and Kris Statlander.

The event will mark Cameron and Statlander’s Stardom debut, as well as Windsor’s first NJPW STRONG Women’s Championship defense.

Stardom American Dream lineup | April 17, 2026

STARDOM American Dream 2026 is scheduled to take place on April 17, 2026, at the Slam Fest at Palms Casino.

  • Alex Windsor (c) vs. Saya Iida for NJPW STRONG Women’s Championship
  • Maika & Mina Shirakawa vs. HANAKO & Yuria Hime
  • Athena vs. Rina
  • Mei Seira, Starlight Kid, & AMZ vs. Babes of Wrath (Willow Nightingale & Harley Cameron) & Kris Statlander

Former Dakota Kai was ‘nervous’ in her wrestling return

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

The former Dakota Kai has finally opened up and addressed her recent in-ring return against Kris Statlander.

Now, going by Charlie, the 37-year-old recently wrestled Eve International champion Kris Statlander at EVE 146: Wrestle Queendom VIII on March 8, 2026, in London. While she lost the match against Statlander, Kai recently opened up about it on her stream and revealed being “nervous” about the return.

“I had so much fun. And you know, being away from wrestling for as long as I was, obviously, I was very nervous. You know, just for me, going into stuff, but Kris [Statlander] made it so easy. Obviously, the crowd, you know what I mean, ” Kai said. “You know it felt really good.”

A former WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion, Kai made her in-ring return after almost a year with her last match dating back to a win over Ivy Nile on March 24, 2025.

New title matches announced for AEW Revolution

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

AEW has announced two brand new title matches as a part of the updated AEW Revolution lineup.

A few weeks ago, Thekla defeated Kris Statlander to become the new Women’s World Champion in a Strap match. She followed it up with a title defense win over Thunder Rosa. However, after their match on the March 4 episode of Dynamite, Statlander stopped the Triangle of Madness (Thekla, Julia Hart, & Skye Blue) from attacking Rosa.

Shortly after, AEW President Tony Khan announced on social media that Thekla will defend her title against Statlander in a two-out-of-three falls match on March 15th at AEW Revolution.

In the main event of Wednesday’s Dynamite, Kazuchika Okada, Kyle Fletcher, and Mark Davis defeated Adam Page, Kevin Knight, and Mike Bailey to win the AEW World Trios title.

With Page scheduled for a title match against MJF, Okada, Fletcher, and Davis will now defend their Trios titles against Knight, Bailey, and Mistico at AEW Revolution.

AEW Revolution 2026 lineup | March 15, 2026

  • AEW World Champion MJF defends against Hangman Page in a Texas Death Match, where if Page loses, he can’t challenge for the World title ever again.
  • AEW World Tag Team Champions FTR (Cash Wheeler & Dax Harwood) defend against The Young Bucks (Matt & Nick Jackson).
  • Jon Moxley vs. Konosuke Takeshita in a no time limit match for the AEW Continental title
  • Bandido vs. Andrade El Idolo.
  • Brody King vs. Swerve Strickland.
  • Thekla (c) vs. Kris Statlander in a two-out-of-three falls match for the AEW Women’s World title
  • Kazuchika Okada, Kyle Fletcher, and Mark Davis vs. Kevin Knight, Mike Bailey, and Mistico for the AEW World Trios title.

Kris Statlander: Mercedes Mone has ‘motivated me in ways I could never explain’

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Feuding with Mercedes Mone was a very rewarding experience for Kris Statlander.

Statlander and Mone faced off twice on pay-per-view in 2024 with Mone winning both matchups. The two then renewed their rivalry at AEW Full Gear 2025 with Statlander getting the victory this time. All three bouts were highly regarded with Statlander and Mone working well together as opponents.

On Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Statlander explained that she doesn’t ever really look for chemistry with opponents. Instead, she just approaches each match trying to be as giving as possible and find ways to mesh with the person across the ring from her. But Statlander does think fans would point to Mone as the person she has the best chemistry with. Statlander loved working with Mone and was motivated by how talented and dedicated she is.

“I feel so weird about this chemistry question — I’ve actually gotten this a few times — because I don’t ever really look for chemistry with someone. I look for myself being the best performer for my opponent,” Statlander said. “And I feel like kind of putting that pressure on myself to be that person for them kind of just helps me mesh with a lot more people than as opposed to being like, ‘Well, I’m just going to do whatever I need to do and then hope that everyone is on the same page.’ And I’m not saying I’m the only one that does it, but I feel like my approach is a little bit more like, ‘Let me be there for you.’ Yeah, I try to be [very giving]. And I feel like that kind of helps [in] general.

“I know a lot of people are probably going to say Mercedes. And, you know, I love working with her. She’s motivated me in ways that I could never explain, because of just her talent and her passion for wrestling also. But I don’t know. I feel like I try my best to work well with a lot of people and to be someone that people want to work with. So that’s more rewarding to me than, you know, any title really could be. The fact that people want to work with me is very special.”

The third match in the Statlander vs. Mone trilogy happened last November during Statlander’s AEW Women’s World Championship reign. Statlander recently dropped the belt to Thekla on the February 11 episode of Dynamite.

Mone has been on hiatus from AEW since the end of 2025 but looks poised to return soon. She’s already been announced for a slate of upcoming indie dates in the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Poland, and Canada.

Kris Statlander opens up about difference between real-life self and AEW character

Posted on by Joseph Currier

There’s a big difference between who Kris Statlander is in real life and the wrestling character she portrays on-screen.

While appearing on the latest episode of Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Statlander opened up about the differences between her wrestling character and real-life personality. The former AEW Women’s World Champion is trying to be a badass in her wrestling career. But outside of the ring, she’s a “dork” of a person who isn’t intimidating at all.

“Normal, not wrestler on TV, me, I’m very shy,” Statlander said. “And when I’m meeting new people, I really don’t speak a lot because I don’t ever want to like interfere with the vibes of other people in a group. And I worry sometimes people might not think I’m friendly for that, but I always try to be friendly.

“I like to keep to myself. I like to be kind of alone a lot of my time. But then at work — big, powerful, strong person. And, you know, I try to be more out there. I try to be bold and daring and scary and stuff like that. But I’m not a scary person. I’m not an intimidating person. I’m such a weird, weird, weird, weird, dork person. And I don’t have any shame. I’m not afraid to admit that.”

Statlander noted that the alien persona she had early on in her career was closer to what her real personality is. However, she feels like she was trying to do too many things at once.

“I think it’s taken me a long time to be like, ‘I don’t care if you think I’m weird. I don’t care if you think I’m cringey in my personal time, because that’s who I am. And I’m not going to apologize for acting weird on my own time,'” she said.

“So I think that’s the biggest thing is that I tried, or I tried to kind of be everybody, be both of them at once when I was Alien Kris early on. Trying to be like, ‘No, I’m just a weird person and I’m going to do embarrassing things, but I’m an alien, so it’s fine. You understand that it’s different.’ But now trying to be a more serious, more of a bad-ass character, so to say. People don’t like when you do weird things. They’re like, ‘That doesn’t make any sense.’ And I’m like, well, I’m sorry, it’s just me. I can’t help it sometimes.”

Statlander was AEW Women’s World Champion before dropping the title to Thekla last month. On Dynamite this Wednesday, Thekla is making her first title defense against Thunder Rosa.

This weekend, Statlander will be in the United Kingdom to defend her Pro Wrestling Eve International Championship against Charlie (the former Dakota Kai). The Wrestle Queendom show is happening in London on Sunday, March 8, which is International Women’s Day.

Thekla wins Women’s World title on AEW Dynamite

Posted on by Josh Nason

The reign of Thekla as AEW Women’s World Champion has officially begun.

Thekla defeated Kris Statlander on Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite in a strap match, ending things when she tied Statlander’s hands behind her back and delivered a curb stomp. Statlander had been distracted by the Sisters of Sin who attempted to interfere.

It’s the first singles title anywhere for the 32-year-old since 2022. She last held gold in Stardom as one half of the Goddesses of Stardom tag champions alongside Momo Watanabe.

The upset ends the 145-day inaugural Statlander reign which began at last September’s All Out in a four-way that also included Thekla. Statlander had defended the title five times before Wednesday including a successful defense against Thekla on January 28.

After the match, the Brawling Birds of Jamie Hayter & Alex Windsor ran out to help Statlander even the odds. Statlander had been bloodied by Thekla during the match and was bleeding profusely from her head.

Will Ospreay reveals role in booking Kris Statlander vs. the former Dakota Kai

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

The former Dakota Kai will make her in-ring return later next month against AEW’s Kris Statlander, and Will Ospreay had a role to play in it.

On Sunday, March 8th, 2026, Kai, now known as Charlie, will make her in-ring return at Pro Wrestling Eve’s Wrestle Queendom 8 against the AEW Women’s Champion, Kris Statlander. Recently speaking to Grapple Theory, Ospreay revealed how he helped book the match and bring Kai into the mix.

“I wanted to try and find a wrestler that wasn’t attached to any other major company. I just had this moment, ‘Dakota Kai doesn’t work there now. I wonder if she’s free.’ I didn’t see anything because she doesn’t really post that much,” Ospreay said.

“I think she has a Twitch stream. I just dropped her a message and said, ‘What are the chances of making this happen?’ She got back to me right away. Super eager to do it. The back and forth between us was so good. She really wants to come to EVE and celebrate this huge show and really wanting to wrestle Kris Statlander.”

Since her release from WWE in May, 2025, Kai has been on a break from wrestling but regularly streams on Twitch as well as hosts a podcast with WWE’s Zelina Vega.

Pro Wrestling Eve’s Wrestle Queendom 8 is set to take place at The O2 in London, England.

Kris Statlander on AEW Blood & Guts criticism: ‘Women bleed once a month anyway’

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

AEW Women’s World Champion has responded to the criticism regarding the first-ever women’s Blood & Guts match that took place in 2025.

The match was a turning point in the women’s roster and featured several violent, bloodied, and infamous moments that soared the division’s popularity. However, it also attracted several criticisms regarding the violence.

Recently speaking to Denise Salcedo, Statlander responded to the criticism, “Well, first of all, women bleed once a month anyway. So, it’s kind of an unfair criticism. We don’t have a choice, really, so to choose where we get to bleed from for once, I think that is more power to the girlies.

Also, you don’t have to watch it if you don’t like it. It’s quite literally advertised in the name Blood and Guts. You should expect to see some tomfoolery to say the least. As much as people might like seeing the guys do it, we are wrestlers, too,” she further stated.

“We have this sick desire to be disgusting and dangerous as well. This was the first one ever. We haven’t had the chance to let that rage out. So, obviously, we’re going to go overboard and mutilate ourselves because we’re psychos and we all love to be that. That’s why we are where we are, and that’s why we are at AEW. Where the best wrestle and where the best bleed, also.”

In November 2025, AEW held the first-ever women’s Blood & Guts match that featured Marina Shafir, Megan Bayne, Mercedes Mone & Triangle Of Madness (Julia Hart, Skye Blue & Thekla) against Babes Of Wrath (Harley Cameron & Willow Nightingale), Jamie Hayter, Kris Statlander & Timeless Love Bombs (Mina Shirakawa & Toni Storm).

Women’s World title bout, Myron Reed debut part of updated AEW Dynamite lineup

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

AEW announced a Women’s World title rematch and a number one contender’s match for the AEW Tag Team titles for next Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite from Ontario, California.

AEW Women’s World Champion Kris Statlander will defend her title against Thekla for a second time but with a stipulation that will be revealed on Saturday. Statlander successfully defended against Thekla last Wednesday, but their rivalry will continue.

Next Wednesday will also feature a three-way number one contender’s match for the AEW World Tag Team Championship. The Rascalz (Dezmond Xavier & Myron Reed) will take on both the winners of Young Bucks vs. GOA at this Saturday’s Collision in addition to a wild card team. The match will also mark Reed’s official AEW debut.

Current AEW Dynamite lineup | Ontario, California

  • AEW Women’s World Champion Kris Statlander defends against Thekla with a stipulation TBA
  • The Rascalz (Dezmond Xavier & Myron Reed) vs The Young Bucks or GOA vs. TBA wild card team

Multiple title matches announced for next week’s AEW Dynamite

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

Several title matches have been announced for next week’s AEW Dynamite from Cedar Park, Texas.

AEW Women’s World Champion Kris Statlander will defend against Thekla who is getting her first shot at the championship.

The two have been feuding for weeks with Thekla calling out Statlander for handing out title shots to everyone before demanding one for herself. Thekla pinned Statlander last week in a trios match to help put this into motion.

Mark Briscoe will defend his TNT Championship against El Clon in a match originally set to take place this Saturday in Arlington, Texas. That changed when the taping was canceled due to winter storms coming into the Arlington, Texas, area, and the match was moved to next Wednesday instead.

The two matches join the originally announced match that will see FTR defend their AEW World Tag Team titles against Jake Doyle and Mark Davis.

Current AEW Dynamite lineup | Next Wednesday

  • AEW Women’s World Champion Kris Statlander defends against Thekla
  • AEW TNT Champion Mark Briscoe defends against El Clon
  • AEW World Tag Team Champions FTR (Dax Harwood & Cash Wheeler) defend against Jake Doyle & Mark Davis

TBS title rematch, Hangman Page vs. Shibata part of final AEW Collision lineup

Posted on by Josh Nason

The full lineup for this Saturday’s AEW Collision has been released and includes a TBS title rematch in addition to an AEW Women’s World title eliminator.

After a challenge was issued on Wednesday’s Dynamite, TBS Champion Willow Nightingale will defend against former champion Julia Hart. Nightingale defeated Hart for the title at April 2024’s Dynasty to begin her first title run with Hart saying Wednesday she never got her rematch.

Ahead of her title defense against Thekla next Wednesday, AEW Women’s World Champion Kris Statlander will take on Isla Dawn in a title eliminator match.

After winning the AEW Trios titles last week, Hangman Page will take on former champion Katsuyori Shibata of The Opps.

After brushing off Don Callis last week, Protoshita (Kyle Fletcher & Konosuke Takeshita) will take on the father/son team of Billy & Austin Gunn.

The new additions join the previously announced Andrade vs. Magnus match and the CMLL Heavyweight title defense by Claudio Castagnoli against Roderick Strong.

Due to a winter storm hitting Arlington, Texas, this Saturday, the show is being taped after Wednesday’s Dynamite.

AEW Collision lineup | Airing Saturday (Taped Wednesday)

  • Protoshita (Kyle Fletcher & Konosuke Takeshita) vs. Billy & Austin Gunn
  • Andrade vs. Magnus
  • TBS Champion Willow Nightingale defends against Julia Hart
  • Mark Davis & Jake Doyle in action
  • AEW Women’s World Champion Kris Statlander vs. Isla Dawn in a title eliminator
  • Hangman Page vs. Katsuyori Shibata
  • CMLL Heavyweight Champion Claudio Castagnoli defends against Roderick Strong