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Kris Statlander Sets Strap-Match Title Defense Against Thekla on Dynamite

She says the stipulation was her idea to underscore a title run that stands apart from Toni Storm.

Overview

  • Statlander told Newsweek the leather-strap stipulation was her call, noting she expects a punishing match but wants to do some lashing of her own.
  • In multiple interviews, she stressed she is not trying to be Toni Storm and is focused on exceeding expectations and defining a different championship identity.
  • She recalled to TMZ Sports that she briefly passed out in a chicken-wing submission during her WrestleDream 2025 defense against Storm before quickly regaining awareness.
  • Previewing Thekla as her opponent, Statlander praised the challenger’s rise and said she could see Thekla as a future champion, though not in this Dynamite match.
  • Looking beyond Thekla, she pointed to Megan Bayne and Marina Shafir as potential next challengers and reflected on rebuilding trust with former partner Willow Nightingale.