AEW’s Kris Statlander Teases Round 2 with Mercedes Mone, Talks Women’s Continental Classic, and More

As a fan of AEW and the incredible women’s division, I am absolutely thrilled by Kris Statlander’s journey in the ring! Her ability to transform from a complex character into a hero, all while showcasing her impressive skills, is nothing short of captivating. It’s clear that Statlander has put in countless hours honing her craft and making us fans believe in her every move.

I am particularly impressed by how AEW managed to shift Statlander’s character so seamlessly within a month, creating an entirely new narrative that has the audience rooting for her once again. It’s not often we see such dramatic changes executed so successfully, and it speaks volumes about the creative minds behind the scenes in AEW.

I am eagerly anticipating what Statlander has in store for us in 2025, especially during the highly-anticipated All In event in Texas. I can only imagine the hardcore street fight she’s dreaming of, complete with weapons and maybe even a Blood and Guts-style match!

Now, let me share a little joke to lighten things up: You know, they say Statlander is so tough she could wrestle a bear… but I think even she would have trouble wrestling that one grizzly named Tony Khan! 😉

2024 has been a rollercoaster ride for AEW’s Kris Statlander, and tonight at Worlds End, she stands poised to close the year in a spectacular manner. Statlander gets another shot at regaining the TBS Championship at Worlds End, and her main obstacle will be CEO Mercedes Mone, an adversary she has previous experience with. Their encounter at Full Gear was nothing short of extraordinary, and it’s now among their most cherished matches in their respective careers. Prior to their rematch, we had a chat with Statlander, discussing not only her rivalry with Mone but also the prospect of a Women’s Continental Classic, her ideal All In Texas scenario, and her transition from heel to babyface, along with the hurdles she faced during this shift.

Initially, let’s discuss the match at Full Gear, a spectacle that truly highlighted the talents of both participants. This bout was particularly remarkable for Statlander as it underscored the unique skills each contender possesses, which is one reason why it remains so memorable.

In essence, what she’s saying is that during our wrestling match, we seemed to bring out the best in each other by playing to our individual strengths. It can be challenging to find someone who does this consistently, and I believe it was this aspect that made our match truly remarkable. We both managed to showcase our unique abilities against one another, which is quite rare and special. I’m incredibly proud to have been a part of such an outstanding performance. In summary, it was the mutual enhancement of our skills that made our match exceptional.

Mone declared that the match was among the finest in her professional wrestling career, and Statlander concurs, emphasizing the trust between them as a crucial element in producing such an exceptional moment. Statlander explained, “It’s a huge honor, and it’s not something I take lightly because I wouldn’t give myself credit for being that person. It takes two people to create a great match, not just one. I didn’t single-handedly make the match great with Statlander; we simply found each other at the right time in wrestling.” She continued, “We trusted each other, and we were able to deliver something spectacular. Mone considers it one of her best matches ever, and for me, it’s definitely one of my career highlights – a moment I will never forget.

Prior to the official announcement of their rematch at World’s End, we had a conversation with Statlander. Even then, she was contemplating what a second confrontation might entail. “I’m not completely closed to new ideas,” she remarked. “If given another opportunity for redemption, I’ll be ready. You see, she targeted my leg during our first match, exploiting its vulnerability, and that was smart, but it was also dirty. I’ll ensure that I am more prepared, both physically and mentally, for a potential rematch.

In their initial match, Statlander wasn’t able to defeat Mone, but she did manage to break the alliance between Mone and her enforcer Kamille. This partnership came to a climactic conclusion when Kamille decided to resign, but it was Statlander who inflicted Kamille’s first defeat in AEW. Although Statlander harbors less animosity towards Kamille compared to Mone, their rivalry is still very much alive.

In simpler terms, Statlander stated that Kamille isn’t to blame for what transpired between her and Mercedes. It appears that Mercedes had certain ideas about the kind of bodyguard she wanted, which led her to put Kamille in ethically questionable situations, such as asking her to intentionally hit people with cars. Understandably, Statlander feels frustrated if he were in Kamille’s position. He also mentioned that while the partnership between Mercedes and Kamille wasn’t as harmonious as they had hoped it would be.

2024 saw a rollercoaster ride for Statlander, beginning as a fan favorite alongside her friend Willow Nightingale at the start of the year. However, everything shifted dramatically at Double or Nothing when Statlander betrayed Nightingale and formed an alliance with Stokely Hathaway. This unexpected move sparked a significant rivalry that culminated in an intense street fight, one that’s etched in everyone’s memory due to its brutal intensity.

Despite an unexpected shift in alliances, Statlander found herself opposing Hathaway and teaming up with Mone, who was now firmly in her villainous phase. This new rivalry has positioned Statlander as the hero, a role AEW successfully transitioned for her within just a month, impressively convincing fans to support this change. After Full Gear, it seems that this transformation has reached its culmination. Understanding some skepticism and hesitation from fans following her past journey, Statlander encourages patience as she seeks their acceptance once more.

Initially, I admit I left fans perplexed due to my uncertainty about my moral stance. I comprehend why it’s challenging to support someone who has caused such harm. However, by choosing a large target that was widely disliked, I hoped to present an effort to defeat the adversary. In doing so, I aim to regain some supporters’ trust, although I acknowledge that I didn’t fully clarify my actions, which is something I should address for people to see me in a completely positive light again.

In the highly skilled AEW Women’s Division, Statlander and Mone are merely two standout performers, and fans continuously seek more representation of this division on television and pay-per-views. Serena Deep has proposed a Women’s Continental Classic, an idea that Statlander wholeheartedly endorses as well.

What’s not appealing about having additional chances on the women’s team? Frankly, I’d take any opportunity. The Continental Classic is unique, something we haven’t experienced before. We’ve been missing Battle Royals for quite some time. More competitions, more Gauntlets, you name it – I’m all for them. Whenever women are given a platform to shine, we consistently surpass expectations, and I simply want to be involved in every event that I could possibly participate in,” Statlander expressed.

Regarding the 2025 All In event in Texas by AEW, we’ve been pondering what a perfect scenario for Statlander at such a high-profile event might look like. Given the magnitude of this upcoming spectacle, I was curious about which band or musician she would prefer to collaborate with and escort her to the ring during that ideal moment. It appears that plans are already in motion to turn this dream into reality!

Ah, it seems to be a match. Given the opportunity, I’d likely engage in an intense, street-style combat with added weaponry for more excitement,” Statlander explained. “Perhaps we could even turn it into a ‘Blood and Guts’ style event.

Statlander stated that she found it difficult to choose opponents due to numerous women who excel during intense performances. She mentioned this scenario would be ideal. Additionally, regarding a band collaboration, she prefers not to discuss it at the moment as there might be future plans with a smaller yet favorite band.

AEW Worlds End will stream live on pay-per-view at 8 PM EST later tonight.

I’ve been a long-time fan of professional wrestling and Statlander has always caught my eye with his unique style and charisma. Looking ahead to 2025, I hope to see him continue to grow as an athlete and entertainer. I believe he has the potential to become a main event player in the industry, captivating audiences with his technical prowess and engaging personality. It’s always exciting to witness the journey of up-and-coming talent like Statlander, and I can’t wait to see where he takes us in the next few years! Don’t forget to join me on Bluesky @KnightofOA for more wrestling discussions!

2024-12-29 02:10

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