Kris Statlander spoke about her growing rivalry with Toni Storm and what to expect when they meet again at AEW WrestleDream. Statlander said Storm is unpredictable and that the fans are still learning to accept her as champion.
Their recent run together
The two first crossed paths in a big way at AEW All Out, when Kris Statlander won the AEW Women’s World Title in a four-way match that included Toni Storm. Statlander pinned Storm to take the belt.
They met again at AEW WrestleDream in a one-on-one rematch. Statlander won that bout as well, using a head scissors submission and finishing with a move called the Saturday Night Fever to pin Storm. Statlander also battled through a scary moment in that match when she briefly lost consciousness but still came back to win.
After WrestleDream, Storm moved into a program with Marina Shafir. Statlander went on to defend the title against Mercedes Mone and Jamie Hayter, and she also had matches with Thekla. Thekla later beat Statlander to take the AEW Women’s World Title in February.
Statlander on Storm’s promos and style
Statlander was asked about Toni Storm’s in-ring words and actions. She said Storm often treats interactions with women like “gay banter,” and that Storm’s promos can be so wild they surprise even her opponents.
“To be fair, when it comes to her, I feel like her natural instinct is to process everything as gay banter when it’s any interaction with any woman really,” Statlander told Ring The Belle. “I don’t even know if she knows what’s going to come out of her mouth half the time. She’s as unhinged as possible and we all love her for it.” (Quotes from Ring The Belle, h/t Wrestling Inc.)
What it means for the fans and the title
Statlander said she still feels some fans may not fully accept her as champion because Toni Storm was so tied to the title for a long time. She admitted she was surprised to win the belt at All Out and said she is trying to give the title a strong reign in her own way.
“I still don’t think that they accept me as their champion,” Statlander said. “She was so synonymous with the title for so long for a reason and I kind of came up out of nowhere. I’m just doing my best to give the title as good of a reign as I can because I’m not Toni Storm. I’ll never be her. But I am me and the best that I can do is give you my best.”
| Fighter | Recent Result |
|---|---|
| Kris Statlander | Won AEW Women’s Title by pinning Toni Storm at AEW All Out; beat Storm again at AEW WrestleDream; later lost the title to Thekla in February. |
| Toni Storm | Lost the AEW Women’s Title at AEW All Out; lost the rematch at AEW WrestleDream; moved into a program with Marina Shafir. |
Statlander and Storm’s rivalry has been marked by sharp words and dramatic matches. With both women still key figures in the AEW women’s division, their story is likely to continue drawing strong interest from fans.
