Tony Khan Explains Holding Off on Kris Statlander vs. Toni Storm Until AEW WrestleDream

AEW Women’s World Champion Kris Statlander faces off against former champion, Timeless Toni Storm, for the first time, one-on-one, later this weekend at AEW WrestleDream. During today’s WrestleDream Media call, Fightful reports that Tony Khan explained that the plan to hold off on their first-time one-on-one match until now was done by design.

Speaking on the Toni Storm vs. Kris Statlander title bout, Khan stated, “We’ve got another great former World Champion, Timeless Toni Storm, taking on the AEW World Champion Kris Statlander. That is the first time they’ve ever wrestled one-on-one, and it is by design.” He continued, “That has always been a match that I knew would be a major match on a major event, and when the time was right, it would be one of the biggest matches I think we could put on, and I’m really excited for it. I think they’ve been doing fantastic work in the promos.”

During last night’s AEW Dynamite, Storm and Statlander shared one last confrontation before WrestleDream. The two had a brief physical battle where Statlander got the better of Storm, and then Storm begged her rival to hit her with the title belt, but Statlander refused the offer.

Statlander then offered to give Storm an open shot at her with the title, but Storm similarly refused, as the wrestlers showed mutual respect to one another. Storm then kissed Statlander’s head before ultimately walking away.

First-Time AEW Women’s World Title Bout Scheduled for Saturday at WrestleDream

Kris Statlander and Toni Storm face off for the AEW Women’s World Title for the first time at AEW WrestleDream 2025, later this Saturday, October 18. The event is being held at the Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis, Missouri. It will be broadcast live on pay-per-view.