4 Ups & 2 Downs From AEW Dark (Feb 18)

Ups...

4. Statlander Shines In Diamante's Second Audition

Diamante Kris Statlander
AEW

One may have looked at this match and expected a squash, but no. While Kris Statlander did defeat Diamante in less than five minutes, the former Impact Wrestling talent was given enough moments to shine to prevent this from becoming a total blowout, looking solid in the process.

Diamante is someone AEW clearly has their eye on. Here, in what was ostensibly her second Dark audition for the promotion, she was presented well. She wasn't content to just stand around and get her head kicked in by Statlander and brought the fight throughout. It was a contest of good, crisp offense, particularly from Kris, who ended up putting the former Santana/Ortiz affiliate away with the Big Bang Theory.

Statlander finds herself on a clear path of elevation and is already a step or two above most of her peers, despite a relative lack of experience. Bigger singles matches surely beckon.

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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.