6 Ups & 3 Downs From AEW Dynamite (21 June - Review)

2. Kris Statlander: Worthy Champion

Kris Statlander Taya Valkyrie
AEW

Kris Statlander Vs. Taya Valkyrie was a good, well-received match with a clean finish and a committed portrayal of a babyface.

This was a refreshingly simple crowd-pleaser in contrast to the relentless Outcasts segments that the fanbase has mostly endured throughout 2023. They built a competitive tone, hit each other hard, escalated the big power moves very well to make it feel like a dramatic shoot-out late in the match, and executed the big moves very well. Statlander has been a joy to watch since her return, although she could do with retiring that apron shooting star press.

It's too ambitious, has never connected in a crunching, believable way, and can't be good for the knees. That it stood out could be considered a good thing: everything else was meaty, physical, convincing.

Statlander is beloved by AEW fans for a reason: they believe in her sh*t.

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Contributor
Contributor

Michael Sidgwick is an editor, writer and podcaster for WhatCulture Wrestling. With over seven years of experience in wrestling analysis, Michael was published in the influential institution that was Power Slam magazine, and specialises in providing insights into All Elite Wrestling - so much so that he wrote a book about the subject. You can order Becoming All Elite: The Rise Of AEW on Amazon. Possessing a deep knowledge also of WWE, WCW, ECW and New Japan Pro Wrestling, Michael’s work has been publicly praised by former AEW World Champions Kenny Omega and MJF, and current Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes. When he isn’t putting your finger on why things are the way they are in the endlessly fascinating world of professional wrestling, Michael wraps his own around a hand grinder to explore the world of specialty coffee. Follow Michael on X (formerly known as Twitter) @MSidgwick for more!