8 Ups & 3 Downs From AEW Dynamite (16 Mar)

Ups...

8. Kris Statlander Transforms

Kris Statlander
AEW

Last night's Kris Statlander video was short but significant, hinting at a change in character for the Best Friends associate.

Absent from ringside as stablemates Wheeler Yuta and Chuck Taylor fought Jon Moxley and Bryan Danielson, Statlander was captured reflecting on recent failures. rubbing away her signature face paint in the mirror. Now stuck in an identity crisis, it looks like the former Women's World Title contender is set for a transformation.

This is good. AEW has been smart with Statlander's 'Galaxy's Greatest Alien' deal, presenting it in a way that never becomes supernatural or defies conventional wrestling logic. Statlander doesn't hit the ring on a flying saucer, levitate, or shapeshift: she just boops the occasional nose. She is an "alien" in nickname alone. That said, such gimmicky aesthetics can't last forever and a more serious presentation would help her sustain a prolonged surge up the card.

Statlander is already there as a wrestler. Now, she can complete her act.

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.