Kris Statlander reveals real reason why she split up with on-screen partner in AEW
Kris Statlander arrived at AEW during the company's inaugural year. She has since become a fan-favorite of the All Elite fans, despite a four-month heel run. Statlander has been aligned with various AEW stars, including The Best Friends, and is now opening up on the story behind a certain split-up.
The Galaxy's Greatest Alien battled Willow Nightingale on the New York indie scene six years before they worked together in AEW. Since August 2023, Statlander and Nightingale have teamed for several wins, while also trading singles wins with each other.
Stokely Hathaway began courting the duo late last year, but the alliance ended months later when Statlander and Hathaway turned heel. This led to Kris and Stokely losing to Willow and Tomohiro Ishii at All In, to set up Statlander's Street Fight win over Nightingale at All Out. The 29-year-old and her controversial manager also teamed up before All In, defeating Nina Samuels and Kid Lykos II on Collision.
AEW recently ended the on-screen partnership between Kris and Stokely. Hathaway shared an itemized invoice he received from Statlander, where she claims he owes her $781,820.00. Speaking to Ring The Belle, Statlander confirmed that she and Hathaway only got together to take out Nightingale. She also provided low-key remarks on the billing statement:
"I mean, well, for the most part, the billing statement was kind of the big... that’s mostly what happened. We had a common goal in destroying Willow and I think we accomplished that. I think we just didn’t have any sort of, we didn’t have any goals after that. The goal was to take care of her. After that, I think we just kind of decided, you know what, the job is done," Kris Statlander said. [H/T to Fightful]
Statlander continued:
"It’s kind of like a handshake, you helped me, I helped you, we’ll see if our paths cross again in the future or something. Then, he tried to pass a Spanish quiz and put my [CMLL] title shot on the line that I rightfully won. He put that on the line without me knowing, lost it. So, not my fault," Kris Statlander said.
Hathaway recently began plotting a takeover of the AEW tag team division. The former Malcolm Bivens has been once again somewhat aligned with World Tag Team Champions Private Party. He also serves on the ROH Board of Directors.
Kris Statlander continues her AEW winning streak
Kris Statlander is currently on a singles winning-streak in AEW. She will look to become a two-time TBS Champion at AEW Full Gear later this month when she challenges Mercedes Moné.
Saturday's Collision saw Statlander defeat Ashley Vox in singles action. This was her ninth straight singles win since losing the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament semi-finals to Willow Nightingale in July. Since then she has defeated the following stars in one-on-one matches: Sydni Winnell, Leila Grey, Nightingale, Nightingale in a Street Fight, Zoey Lynn, Amira, Harley Cameron, Kamille, and now Vox.
Statlander was ambushed by Moné after Saturday's Collision win. The CEO proceeded to lock Statlander in a submission, but would not let up as she tapped out. The segment ended with the champion raising her title to taunt the challenger ahead of Full Gear.