Kris Statlander is ready to go all out in Chicago.
Statlander will face Willow Nightingale in a street fight at AEW All Out this weekend. The former friends have been feuding since Statlander (and Stokely Hathaway) turned on Willow in May.
Statlander and Nightingale have squared off multiple times since then, including Statlander’s singles win over Willow on Dynamite in July, and a mixed tag team match (featuring Tomohiro Ishii and Hathaway as their respective partners) at AEW All In London last month. They each hold a singles victory in the feud, with the “rubber match” set to take place this weekend.
Statlander spoke with WrestleZone Managing Editor Bill Pritchard about their history with each other and what fans might expect in Chicago. Statlander and Willow teamed for two street fights in AEW. However, Statlander was quick to point out that those are not the only street fights in her career. She believes the element of surprise will aid her at All Out, teasing she has some tricks up her sleeve for her opponent.
Kris Statlander on her Street Fight against Willow Nightingale
“Those [tag team street fights with Willow Nightingale] are my only two street fights that I have had [in AEW]. But they aren’t the only that I had ever had in my wrestling career. So, there is a whole other side of me that no one is expecting to see,” Statlander explained. “And I’ve seen a lot more of her in street fights than she has of me, because she’s been involved in others.
“I think I’m the one coming in with a little bit more preparation and a little bit more element of surprise. Because we’ve seen what she’s done in street fights multiple times before. And some would say that’s some good experience,” she added. “But like I said, I’ve got some more untapped experience. So yeah, I’ve got some secrets up my sleeve that I haven’t shared. Because I haven’t had to yet.”
Kris Statlander on fans ‘knowing’ what’s next
For weeks, it seemed like fans “knew” Kris Statlander was going to turn on her friend. Many speculated how and when it would happen on AEW, or who else might be involved. Many stories are meant to be obvious and foreshadow what is to come, but some of those theories did not come to fruition. Statlander and Hathaway turned on Willow at AEW Double Or Nothing because that’s when AEW decided it would happen, not the audience.
Statlander was asked if that type of fan speculation presented any challenges to her as a performer. She pointed out that predictions can lead to disappointment, and some fans should just let the story unfold as AEW wants it to.
“I think the challenge — it’s not really my problem because people, they think they know everything. They expect that just because they came up with something in their head, that everything we do is wrong because it is not what they expected it to be. And you are basically just setting yourself up for disappointment if you constantly try to predict everything and you constantly try to predict what the surprises are,” Statlander explained.
On her own terms
Statlander stressed that if fans are supposed to know something on AEW TV, it will be clear.
“Whether it is someone that is making a surprise appearance, or there’s a new person debuting, or you’re trying to predict what’s going to happen with a story or whatever. And it’s like, you are setting yourself up to hate everything and to be disappointed. Because you are not just appreciating it for what it is,” she added. “It’s frustrating for us, because then people say that we are bad wrestlers and we are a bad product that no one watches us. But it’s like, we are not the ones that’s telling you [those rumors and speculative stories].”
“I think that’s the biggest takeaway; if we want you to know, you will know. We will make it obvious for you because we want you to know. We are not trying to keep secrets as far as what you see on television. If I want you to see that I am going to use a weapon, you are going to see it,” she pointed out. “If I want you to see that I am going to stab my former friend in the back, you are going to see it. But it is on my terms when I do it. So, don’t be upset with me or tell me that I don’t know what I am doing because it wasn’t when or how you wanted it to be. Because I don’t know you. I don’t know who you are. You don’t write my life. Leave me alone.”
Will Kris Statlander and Willow ever patch things up?
Willow and Kris’ National Roller Coaster Day video recently recirculated on social media, showing them during happier times. The pair have had great chemistry with each other in AEW, but a reunion in the near future seems unlikely. Could they ever patch things up?
“Right now, I don’t see it for us. Unfortunately, I have had too much taken from me to be able to forgive at this time. And we are going to settle that score in Chicago on Saturday. Maybe after Saturday, there’s a chance of redemption,” Statlander said. “But for me right now, I am just… I need to be my own person, do my own thing, and I think this is it for a bit.”
AEW All Out takes place on Saturday, September 7 in Chicago. Watch our full interview with Kris Statlander below:
