Kris Statlander, known for her participation in the first-ever AEW Women’s Blood and Guts match, recently shared some behind-the-scenes details about a painful moment during the event. In an interview with David Shoemaker and Brian H. Waters on the Mask Man Show, the AEW Women’s World Champion talked about how she got a nail lodged in her head during the match.
Statlander described the experience of falling onto the nail bed: “Honestly, I was a bit shocked. It felt like I was lying on a bed of nails. I took a moment to rest my head and realized the nail was stuck in the back of my head. I tried to lift my head up, and then Marina came over and left.”
She added, “I tried to relax again, but then I felt the nail pressing into my head. I thought, ‘What are you doing? There’s a nail in your head right now.’ It was definitely not comfortable.” Statlander also recalled seeing online comments about the nails being spaced close enough not to puncture the skin but noted, “The nails aren’t that close together. This nail was stuck in my back.”
Looking forward to her upcoming title defense against TBS Champion Mercedes Moné at AEW Full Gear, Statlander reflected on the aftermath: “That’s why I shared a photo of my back online, showing the physical impact. If the nails were really dense, maybe it wouldn’t hurt as much, but it wasn’t like that. The nails were scratching my back and head—I still have scars from it.”
Fan Take: This revelation highlights the extreme risks AEW wrestlers endure, elevating the intensity and realism of the Blood and Guts match. For AEW fans, it reinforces the dedication of the athletes and sets a new standard for the physical storytelling in women’s wrestling.
