Kris Statlander Explained

Kris Statlander
Birth Name:Kristen Stadtlander
Birth Date:7 August 1995
Birth Place:West Islip, New York, U.S.
Debut:November 2016

Kristen Stadtlander (born August 7, 1995) is an American professional wrestler. She is currently signed to All Elite Wrestling (AEW), where she performs under the ring name Kris Statlander and is a former one-time AEW TBS Champion.

Early life

Statlander was born in West Islip, New York on Long Island. She attended college in New Jersey, but left after one year to train as a stunt double at Hollywood Stunts in Brooklyn, New York.

Professional wrestling career

Training; early career (2016–2019)

Statlander began her professional wrestling training under Pat Buck and Brian Myers at the Create A Pro Wrestling Academy in Hicksville, New York in 2016.[1] Statlander later became the first female graduate of the academy.[2] She made her professional wrestling debut in November 2016, initially under the ring name "Liza Verio".[3] [4] Statlander made an appearance for WWE on an episode of SmackDown Live that aired on April 9, 2019, teaming with Karissa, named "The Brooklyn Belles", in a losing effort against the then-WWE Women's Tag Team Champions Billie Kay and Peyton Royce.[5] In June that same year, she competed at an event for the promotion Beyond Wrestling in an intergender match against Joey Janela in a losing effort.[6]

All Elite Wrestling (2019–present)

Best Friends (2019–2022)

Statlander made her debut for All Elite Wrestling (AEW) on November 19, 2019, competing in a tag team match alongside Big Swole against Riho and Britt Baker on Dark, where Statlander and Swole were defeated.[7] In December, AEW announced that Statlander had signed with the promotion.[8] Following her signing, she defeated Baker on the December 18 episode of Dynamite to become the No. 1 contender for the AEW Women's World Championship.[9] [10] Statlander competed against Riho for the AEW Women's World title on the January 8, 2020, episode of Dynamite, where she was defeated due to interferences by Brandi Rhodes, Awesome Kong, Mel, and the debuting Luther.[11] She received another opportunity to compete for the title on February 29, 2020, at Revolution, this time against new champion Nyla Rose, where she was once again defeated.[12] In June 2020, Statlander suffered an ACL injury in her left leg during an episode of Dynamite.[13]

Statlander returned from injury alongside Trent Beretta on March 31, 2021, helping Chuck Taylor and Orange Cassidy defeat Miro and Kip Sabian on Dynamite.[14] In September at All Out, she challenged Baker for the AEW Women's World Championship but was unsuccessful.[15] In November, Statlander–along with Trent, Taylor, Cassidy, and Wheeler Yuta–joined the New Japan Pro-Wrestling-based stable Chaos.[16] In August 2022, Statlander suffered a completely torn ACL and lateral meniscus in her right leg during a match on Dark and stated she would need take time out to recover.[17]

TBS Champion; partnership with Willow Nightingale (2023–2024)

Statlander returned at Double or Nothing in May 2023, appearing after a match between then-AEW TBS Champion Jade Cargill and Taya Valkyrie in which Cargill retained her title. She answered Cargill's open challenge to an impromptu match and won, ending Cargill's 60-match undefeated streak and obtaining the AEW TBS Championship.[18] Over the coming months, Statlander would defend the championship against the likes of Nyla Rose, Anna Jay, Taya Valkyrie among others.[19] [20] [21] [22] At All Out she succsessfully defended the championship against Ruby Soho,[23] and against a returning Jade Cargill on the September 13 episode of Rampage.[24] Statlander soon began a feud with Julia Hart, which also involved Skye Blue and Willow Nightingale, which led to a match at WrestleDream against Hart, in which Statlander successfully defended the AEW TBS Championship.[25] Statlander would go on to successfully defend the championship against Blue on the October 14 episode of Collision and against Nightingale at Battle of the Belts VIII.[26] [27] At Full Gear Statlander lost the AEW TBS Championship to Hart, in a match also involving Skye Blue, which ended when Hart pinned Blue, ending her reign at 174 days.[28] After the loss, Stokely Hathaway would seek a parternship with Statlander and Nightingale, although at first he was turned away, his offer was later accepted.[29] On the Worlds End: Zero Hour show, which took place in both women's native New York, Statlander was defeated by Nightingale.[30] At Revolution 2024: Zero Hour on March 3, Statlander and Nightingale defeated Blue and Hart.[31]

Heel turn and Continued partnership with Stokely Hathaway (2024-present)

On May 26 at Double or Nothing, After Nightingale was defeated by Mercedes Moné, Stokely Hathaway berated Nightingale until Statlander pushed him over, seemingly terminating his role as their manager. Moments later, on the ramp Statlander attacked Nightingale and aligned herself with Hathaway once again, revealing the prior events to be a ruse.[32] As a result of the attack Statlander turned heel for the first time since her time on the independent circuit.[33] Statlander competed in the Owen Hart Cup, defeating Nyla Rose in the first round but lost to Nightingale in the second.[34] [35]

Professional wrestling style and persona

Statlander originally employed an alien gimmick,[36] which she attributed to her being "a big science nerd".[37] Under this character, she was nicknamed "The Galaxy's Greatest Alien" and billed as having come from the Andromeda Galaxy.[38] [10] Statlander changed her gimmick in 2022 since she felt that with the previous gimmick "I was never really being fully taken seriously", calling the previous character as "too fun, too lovable, I guess, too goofy and easygoing".[39]

Statlander uses a 450° splash and an inverted piledriver as finishers, respectively called Area 451 and the Big Bang Theory. With her change in gimmick, Big Bang Theory was renamed Friday Night Fever, or Wednesday Night Fever and Saturday Night Fever depending what night of the week the finisher takes place on, referencing the song "More Than a Woman" by the Bee Gees, which she had used as her theme early in her career.[40] [41]

Personal life

Stadtlander is a vegetarian.[42] She was formerly in a relationship with independent wrestler Mason Burnett, who is best known as Caleb Konley.[43] [44]

Stadtlander is a licensed massage therapist.[45]

Other media

She appeared as an uncredited stuntwoman extra in the series finale of MTV's Ladylike in 2016.[46] In 2019, she provided motion capture for WWE 2K20.[47] In 2022, Statlander along with Orange Cassidy and Chuck Taylor appeared in the third season of Netflix's Floor is Lava.[48]

Filmography

Television
YearTitleRoleNotes
2016LadylikeUncredited; stuntwomanSeries finale
2021Rhodes to the TopHerself
2022Floor Is LavaHerself
Video game appearances
YearTitleRoleNotes
2019WWE 2K20Motion capture only[49]
2023AEW Fight ForeverHerself

Championships and accomplishments

Luchas de Apuestas record

width=20% scope="col"Winner (wager)width=20% scope="col"Loser (wager)width=20% scope="col"Locationwidth=20% scope="col"Eventwidth=15% scope="col"DateNotes
Ashley Vox and Kris Statlander (career)Jeremy Leary and Skylar (hair)Limitless Know Your Enemy [62]

External links

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Notes and References

  1. Web site: Kris Stadtlander: The Alien in and out of the ring. Robertson. Alexandra. April 13, 2019. Slam! Sports. Canadian Online Explorer. June 15, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20200525153316/http://slam.canoe.com/Slam/Wrestling/2019/04/13/22796202.html. May 25, 2020. dead.
  2. Web site: WWE all-women's show at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum motivates local grapplers. Castillo. Alfonso A.. October 18, 2018. Newsday. June 15, 2021. August 27, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210827063357/https://www.newsday.com/long-island/wwe-women-s-wrestling-coliseum-1.21952193. live.
  3. Web site: Kris Statlander. March 24, 2024 . Cagematch.net. en.
  4. Kris Statlander. AEW Unrestricted. All Elite Wrestling. Tony Schiavone. Aubrey Edwards. June 15, 2020. 18:36–18:56. July 16, 2020. August 12, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200812002646/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0CWV7uqHp4. live.
  5. Web site: Kris Statlander & Karissa Rivera Work WWE SmackDown Live Against The IIconics. Lambert. Jeremy. Fightful. April 9, 2019. December 23, 2019. December 23, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191223123901/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/kris-statlander-karissa-rivera-work-wwe-smackdown-live-against-iiconics. live.
  6. Web site: JOEY JANELA VS. KRIS STATLANDER, LAX, TOM LAWLOR & MORE: 6/12 BEYOND WRESTLING UNCHARTED TERRITORY EPISODE 11 LIVE REPORT FROM WORCESTER, MA. Cardoza. Adam. June 12, 2019. PWInsider. December 23, 2019. December 23, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191223123858/https://www.pwinsider.com/article/127172/joey-janela-vs-kris-statlander-lax-tom-lawlor-more-612-beyond-wrestling-uncharted-territory-episode-11-live-report-from-worcester-ma.html%3Fp%3D1. live.
  7. Web site: Brandi Rhodes Confirms Kris Statlander Has Signed With AEW, Big Swole Confirms Signing. December 9, 2019. Fightful. Lambert. Jeremy. December 23, 2019. December 23, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191223123902/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/brandi-rhodes-confirms-kris-statlander-has-signed-aew-big-swole-confirms-signing. live.
  8. Web site: AEW officially confirms signings of Kris Statlander and Big Swole. December 9, 2019. F4Wonline.com. Currier. Joseph. December 23, 2019. December 29, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191229232148/https://www.f4wonline.com/aew-news/aew-officially-confirms-signings-kris-statlander-and-big-swole-299161. live.
  9. Web site: AEW Dynamite results, recap, grades: Dark Order makes presence felt, Chris Jericho taken to the limit. Brookhouse. Brent. CBS Sports. December 18, 2019. December 23, 2019. December 23, 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20191223123903/https://www.cbssports.com/wwe/news/aew-dynamite-results-recap-grades-dark-order-makes-presence-felt-chris-jericho-taken-to-the-limit/. live.
  10. Web site: Kris Statlander Earns AEW Women's World Title Shot. Ashly. Kristen. December 18, 2019. Pro Wrestling Sheet. June 15, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20200311051158/https://www.prowrestlingsheet.com/kris-statlander-aew-womens-title-shot/. March 11, 2020. dead.
  11. Web site: Complete AEW Dynamite TV Report. Strode. Cory. PWInsider. January 8, 2020. January 9, 2020. August 27, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210827063357/https://pwinsider.com/article/132774/complete-aew-dynamite-tv-report.html?p=1. live.
  12. The Right Time For a New World Champion: Takeaways from AEW's Revolution. Barrasso. Justin. Sports Illustrated. March 1, 2020. March 7, 2020. March 1, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200301064621/https://www.si.com/wrestling/2020/03/01/aew-revolution-takeaways. live.
  13. Web site: Satin. Ryan. Ryan Satin. Kris Statlander Confirms ACL Injury, Says She'll Be Out Of Action "For Awhile". Pro Wrestling Sheet. June 14, 2020. June 15, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200929133839/https://www.prowrestlingsheet.com/kris-statlander-injured-acl-surgery-awhile/. September 29, 2020. dead.
  14. Web site: DeFelice. Robert. Trent, Kris Statlander, Trent's Mom Return, Help Orange Cassidy And Chuck Taylor Win Arcade Anarchy. Fightful. March 31, 2021. March 31, 2021. April 1, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210401021523/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/trent-kris-statlander-trent-s-mom-return-help-orange-cassidy-and-chuck-taylor-win-arcade-anarchy. live.
  15. Web site: Powell. Jason. AEW All Out results: Powell's live review of CM Punk vs. Darby Allin, The Young Bucks vs. The Lucha Bros in a cage match for the AEW Tag Titles, Kenny Omega vs. Christian Cage for the AEW Title, Britt Baker vs. Kris Statlander for the AEW Women's Title, Chris Jericho vs. MJF. Pro Wrestling Dot Net. September 5, 2021. September 5, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210905224708/https://prowrestling.net/site/2021/09/05/aew-all-out-results-powells-live-review-of-cm-punk-vs-darby-allin-the-young-bucks-vs-the-lucha-bros-in-a-cage-match-for-the-aew-tag-titles-kenny-omega-vs-christian-cage-for-the-aew-title-brit/. September 5, 2021. live.
  16. Web site: Guzzo. Gisberto. Orange Cassidy And Best Friends Accept Kazuchika Okada's Offer To Join CHAOS; Tony Khan Comments. Fightful. November 10, 2021. November 11, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211111002545/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/rocky-romero-says-kazuchika-okada-has-offered-best-friends-spot-chaos-even-chuck-taylor. November 11, 2021. live.
  17. News: Lambert. Jeremy. August 13, 2022. Kris Statlander Confirms Extent Of Knee Injury, Set To Undergo Surgery. Fightful. August 17, 2022. August 14, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220814231344/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/kris-statlander-confirms-extent-knee-injury-set-undergo-surgery. live.
  18. Web site: Powell. Jason. AEW Double Or Nothing results: Powell's live review of MJF vs. Darby Allin vs. Jack Perry vs. Sammy Guevara in a four-way for the AEW World Championship, The Elite vs. BCC in Anarchy in the Arena, Jamie Hayter vs. Toni Storm for the AEW Women's Title, Jade Cargill vs. Taya Valkyrie for the TBS Title, Adam Cole vs. Chris Jericho in an unsanctioned match. Pro Wrestling Dot Net. May 28, 2023. May 28, 2023. May 28, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230528221037/https://prowrestling.net/site/2023/05/28/aew-double-or-nothing-results-powells-live-review-of-mjf-vs-darby-allin-vs-jack-perry-vs-sammy-guevara-in-a-four-way-for-the-aew-world-championship-the-elite-vs-bcc-in-anarchy-in-the-arena-ja/. live.
  19. Web site: Harris. Jeffery . 2023-05-31. AEW Dynamite Kris Statlander vs. Nyla Rose. 411MANIA . en.
  20. Web site: AEW Dynamite Results for June 7, 2023 . 2024-04-04 . www.allelitewrestling.com.
  21. Web site: Elizabeth . Claire . 2023-06-21 . AEW Dynamite results, live blog (June 21, 2023): Forbidden Door go home. 2024-04-09 . Cageside Seats . en.
  22. https://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=5224&page=5&reign=2
  23. Web site: Chiari . Mike . Kris Statlander Defeats Ruby Soho to Retain AEW TBS Championship at All Out 2023 . 2024-04-04 . Bleacher Report . en.
  24. Web site: 2023-09-18 . Jade Cargill & Kris Statlander "Had Something To Prove" On AEW Rampage – TJR Wrestling . 2024-04-04 . tjrwrestling.net . en-US.
  25. Web site: G . Joey . 2023-10-02 . Kris Statlander Bests Julia Hart To Retain The TBS Championship At AEW WrestleDream . 2024-04-04 . Wrestling Headlines . en-US.
  26. Web site: Mueller . Doc-Chris . AEW Collision Results: Winners, Live Grades, Reaction, Highlights from October 14 . 2024-04-04 . Bleacher Report . en.
  27. https://www.wrestlinginc.com/1426933/tbs-champ-kris-statlander-narrowly-defeats-willow-nightingale-aew-battle-belts/
  28. Web site: O’Loughlin . Liam . 2023-11-19 . Julia Hart Pins Skye Blue, Wins TBS Championship In AEW Full Gear Triple Threat . 2024-04-04 . Wrestling Inc. . en-US.
  29. Web site: Thompson . Andrew . 2024-03-21 . Stokely Hathaway details how pairing with Kris Statlander & Willow Nightingale came to be, reflects on The Firm . 2024-04-04 . POST Wrestling WWE AEW NXT NJPW Podcasts, News, Reviews . en-US.
  30. Web site: Lee . Joseph . 2023-12-30 . Willow Nightingale Beats Kris Statlander at AEW Worlds End Zero Hour. 2024-04-01 . 411 MANIA . en.
  31. Web site: Knight . Cain A. . 2024-03-07 . Cageside Community Star Ratings: Statlander & Nightingale vs. Hart & Blue . 2024-04-04 . Cageside Seats . en.
  32. Web site: 2024-05-27 . 2024 AEW Double or Nothing results: Live updates, recap, grades, highlights, matches, card, start time . 2024-05-27 . CBSSports.com . en.
  33. Web site: 2019-02-25. WEEKEND WRAP-UP - KRIS STATLANDER HAS ARRIVED. 2024-06-11. independentwrestling.tv . en.
  34. Web site: Wrestling . All Elite . 2024-06-20 . AEW Dynamite Results for June 19, 2024 . 2024-07-07 . All Elite Wrestling . en.
  35. Web site: Willow Nightingale Defeats Kris Statlander, Advances To Finals Of Women's Owen Hart Foundation Tournament Fightful News . 2024-07-07 . www.fightful.com . en.
  36. Web site: Análisis y Predicciones: AEW Double or Nothing 2020. Súper Luchas. es. May 3, 2020. December 15, 2020. June 19, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200619123021/https://superluchas.com/analisis-previo-a-aew-double-or-nothing-2020/. live.
  37. Web site: Toro. Carlos. Kris Statlander Reveals Origin Of Alien Gimmick, Says She's Never Seen Star Wars Or Star Trek. Fightful. June 16, 2020. December 15, 2020. May 16, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210516180931/https://www.fightful.com/wrestling/kris-statlander-reveals-origin-alien-gimmick-says-she-s-never-seen-star-wars-or-star-trek. live.
  38. Web site: Reneo. Juan C.. AEW Dark Elevation results: Jack Evans vs. Matt Sydal. F4Wonline.com. June 21, 2021. September 30, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210622013333/https://www.f4wonline.com/aew-results/aew-dark-elevation-results-jack-evans-vs-matt-sydal-344801. June 22, 2021. live.
  39. Web site: Kris Statlander Says She Discovered Owen Hart Later On, Wasn't An Influence. 411Mania. May 23, 2022. May 23, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220523151448/https://411mania.com/wrestling/kris-statlander-admits-that-owen-hart-wasnt-an-influence-says-she-discovered-him-later-on/. live.
  40. Web site: POST NEWS UPDATE: Linear TV Network wanted to secure the rights to WWE's VOD content for ten years. Thompson. Andrew. POST Wrestling. June 11, 2020. December 15, 2020. January 26, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210126082705/https://www.postwrestling.com/2020/06/11/post-news-update-linear-tv-network-wanted-to-secure-the-rights-to-wwes-vod-content-for-ten-years/. live.
  41. Web site: Powell. Jason. AEW Double Or Nothing results: Powell's live review of Cody vs. Lance Archer to become the first TNT Champion (Mike Tyson presents the belt), Jon Moxley vs. Brodie Lee for the AEW Championship, The Elite vs. The Inner Circle in a Stadium Stampede match. Pro Wrestling Dot Net. May 23, 2020. December 15, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200526084416/https://prowrestling.net/site/2020/05/23/aew-double-or-nothing-results-powells-live-review-of-cody-vs-lance-archer-to-become-the-first-tnt-champion-mike-tyson-presents-the-belt-jon-moxley-vs-brodie-lee-for-the-aew-championship-the-e/. May 26, 2020 .
  42. Web site: Wilkinson . Matthew . 2022-11-08 . 10 Things About AEW Wrestlers Fans Learned On Brandi Rhodes' "Shot Of Brandi" YouTube Show . 2024-04-04 . TheSportster . en.
  43. Web site: Hamza . Muhammad . 2023-08-23 . Who is AEW's Kris Statlander dating? Know all about her wrestler boyfriend . 2024-04-01 . SportsKeeda . en.
  44. Web site: Hamdy . Ahmed . 2022-06-25 . 6 AEW Stars who are in a relationship with wrestlers from other promotions. 2024-04-01 . SportsKeeda . en.
  45. Web site: Woodward . Hamish . 2024-06-14 . Kris Statlander Says She’s ‘Unofficially’ Part Of AEW Medical Team, Helps Others Rehab From Injuries. 2024-07-06 . wrestlezone.com . en.
  46. Web site: Statlander . Kris . 2016-07-15 . MY TV DEBUT season 1 episode 8 of MTV's Ladylike! My very first stunt job was a dream come true it was honor to work with this crew and to prank everyone . 2024-04-09 . Instagram . en.
  47. Web site: Kris Stadtlander IMDB. 2024-04-09 . IMDb. en.
  48. Web site: Ravens . Andrews . 2022-09-16 . AEW's Orange Cassidy, Chuck Taylor, and Kris Statlander featured in season 3 of 'Floor Is Lava' on Netflix. 2024-04-09 . WrestlingNews.Co . en.
  49. Web site: Kris Stadtlander IMDB. 2024-04-09 . IMDB. en.
  50. Web site: AAW Women's Championship. Cagematch.net. December 28, 2019. April 1, 2021. February 26, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210226010839/https://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=3543. live.
  51. Web site: CAP Television Championship. Cagematch.net. July 21, 2019. April 1, 2021. August 28, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210828191152/https://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=4496. live.
  52. Web site: Inaugural CAP TV Championship Tournament (2019). Cagematch.net. July 21, 2019. April 1, 2021. June 10, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220610054109/https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=235703. live.
  53. Web site: Treasure Hunter Tournament (2019). Cagematch.net. February 24, 2019. April 1, 2021. June 10, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220610054109/https://www.cagematch.net/?id=26&nr=5453&page=2. live.
  54. Web site: Independent Wrestling Championship. Cagematch.net. May 26, 2019. April 1, 2021. February 3, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210203162747/https://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=3532. live.
  55. Web site: NYWC Starlet Championship. Cagematch.net. February 23, 2019. April 1, 2021. March 21, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220321165001/https://www.cagematch.net//?id=5&nr=1754. live.
  56. Web site: The PWI Top 100 Female Wrestlers 2020: Full List. Wrestling Travel. October 15, 2020. October 15, 2020. October 25, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201025102211/https://wrestlingtravel.org/2020/10/15/the-pwi-top-100-female-wrestlers-2020-full-list/. live.
  57. Barrasso. Justin. The Top 10 Women Wrestlers of 2019. Sports Illustrated. December 31, 2019. December 31, 2019. January 1, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200101023443/https://www.si.com/wrestling/2019/12/31/best-women-wrestlers-of-the-year-2019. live.
  58. Web site: VPW Women's Championship. Cagematch.net. June 10, 2017. April 1, 2021. August 27, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210827065208/https://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=2559. live.
  59. Web site: WSU World Championship. Cagematch.net. October 18, 2019. April 1, 2021. May 19, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210519095326/https://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=934. live.
  60. Web site: WSU World Championship. Cagematch.net. October 18, 2019. April 1, 2021. April 15, 2022. https://web.archive.org/web/20220415012844/https://www.cagematch.net/?id=1&nr=244950. live.
  61. Web site: WSU Spirit Championship. Cagematch.net. March 2, 2019. April 1, 2021. July 9, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20210709182629/https://www.cagematch.net/?id=5&nr=1191. live.
  62. Web site: Limitless Know Your Enemy. August 8, 2024 . CAGEMATCH.net. en.