14 Ups & 3 Downs From AEW Dynamite (Dec 4)

5. Ballsy Booking

Kris Statlander
AEW

AEW had the newly-signed Kris Statlander waltz into her first singles match and just straight-up in the number one contender to Riho's Women's World Championship in less than 10 minutes. That's bold, and should be celebrated.

Hikaru Shida was on a three-match singles winning streak before she met Statlander, who put her away without so much as a hint of f*ckery. She was seemingly being positioned as Riho's next challenger before the L but now tumbles down the rankings, likely saving their rematch for a later date, opening a spot for others to ascend.

Statlander immediately feels like a big deal as a result of this. She isn't the finished article yet, but there's no need to mess around with her push. Get her in the ring, get her some big singles wins, and pull the trigger. She's the real deal.

Advertisement
Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.