An active AEW wrestler has responded to fan backlash regarding recent high-profile matches she participated in with her team. In November, AEW presented its inaugural women’s Blood & Guts match on Dynamite, featuring Mercedes Mohn, Megan Bain, Marina Shafir, and Triangle of Madness defeating Chris Statlander, Willow Nightingale, Toni Storm, Harley Cameron, Jamie Hayter, and Mina Shirakawa.
The match attracted some negative feedback from fans unhappy with the involvement of female wrestlers in such an intense and bloody contest. AEW Women’s World Champion Kris Statlander was interviewed by Dennis Salcedo about the criticism aimed at the women who took part in the brutal Blood & Guts event.
Statlander responded:
“First off, women naturally experience bleeding monthly, so it feels like an unfair critique. I think it’s actually more empowering for women to decide when they want to show that kind of toughness.”
She added, “If it’s not your thing, you don’t have to watch. It’s clearly promoted as ‘Blood & Guts,’ so expect some extreme content.”
“As much as fans enjoy watching these matches, we’re wrestlers too. We have this intense urge to pull off shocking and dangerous stunts. Since it’s our first time doing something like this, we might go a little too far and get hurt because we’re a bit crazy—that’s why we love what we do.”
Additionally, Statlander shared insights about her ongoing reign as AEW Women’s World Champion, which can be viewed through the linked content.
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Fan Take: This candid response from Kris Statlander highlights the boldness and resilience of AEW’s female talent, pushing boundaries in a male-dominated sport. It signals a shift toward more intense, inclusive storytelling that can elevate women’s wrestling and keep AEW’s product fresh and engaging for fans.
