Kris Statlander Weighs In On Chemistry With Mercedes Mone, How She’s Different Than Their Last Match

Kris Statlander is a believer in her in-ring chemistry with Mercedes Mone, reflecting on their previous matches ahead of AEW Full Gear. Mone and Statlander faced off twice at the end of 2024, both at Full Gear and Worlds End. Statlander tried to regain the TBS Championship both times, but came up short.

Now, a year later, Statlander is the defending champion. Mone will challenge Statlander for the AEW Women’s Champion on Saturday. Statlander spoke with The Ringer Wrestling Show and spoke about their chemistry in the ring. She also reflected on why she is not the same competitor as last year. You can see highlights below:

On How She’s Different Than Her Last Matches With Mone:

“Well, let’s not mince any words here. She was named THE best women’s wrestler of the year. Let’s give her her flowers, because she deserves it. And it’s definitely a different mindset this time. Because before, I felt like I was so desperate to win back the TBS Title both times that I wrestled her. And I feel like my own desperation and trying to prove to everybody that I was worthy of something a year ago, I feel like that kind of like clouded my ability to perform in a way. Where I needed something that was so deep within that thinking a superficial thing like winning a belt would heal what I needed. And that was not the right mindset to be in at that time, especially facing someone who is the best women’s dresser in the world.

“But now I am the champion. I am THE World Champion. I had the belt that she has never had. And I have a lot more confidence in myself, and I feel like I’m a more complete person and a more total absolute wrestler at this point. I told her before, and I will say it a hundred times over, I am nowhere near the same person I was a year ago. And she’s been putting her focus on all these other belts, and something like the World Championship, the most prestigious thing in AEW, is something that you need to have full focus on.”

On Her Chemistry With Mone:

“I definitely think there is a sort of chemistry with her and I. However, I go into all of my matches looking to force people to be their best version of themselves. My goal isn’t necessarily about what my performance is; it’s about pushing people beyond their limits that they expect for themselves. And maybe me having that mindset kind of helped be the catalyst for her to become who she is today. And if that is, great. Will she ever admit that? Absolutely not.

“However, I do think you can definitely tell from a fan aspect when people mesh and when people don’t. We can feel it also. But I feel like I always really try to make sure that there’s something there for everybody within myself. But yeah, if I truly am the catalyst that caused her to be Ultima Mone today? Then she owes me everything. And even more so of a reason that she is nothing without me.”

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit The Ringer Wrestling Show with a h/t to 411mania.com for the transcription.