Kris Statlander is right about women’s wrestling in AEW

Kris Statlander wants to see more time for women’s wrestling in AEW and calls on the fans’ continued support to make it happen. 

Women’s wrestling has a place in the industry and there are piles of examples that prove that point. All Elite Wrestling continues to build momentum as the top alternative to the WWE product, but fans still push the company to give more shine to the women’s division. Current TBS Champion, Kris Statlander echoed those sentiments and wants fans to continue to use their voices and platforms to call for the same. She’s right in her stance but the push continues to hit the wall that is Tony Khan.

“I think there’s always going to be a desire for more. I think everyone is always left wanting more and wondering what could happen if we were given more,” Statlander said while speaking to DS of Ring the Belle. “I do wish that we could get more time because I do feel if we’re given time, with the right people, we’re gonna put on a show that no one’s ever gonna forget. That’s just life, though.”

Statlander is speaking to facts that continue to plague the organization. Four years since its launch the show still only presents one women’s match per outing on Dynamite or Collision. Ring of Honor, the sub-brand under AEW, features multiple women’s matches streamed on Honor Club. But ATHENA, perhaps the top women’s champion in North American wrestling today, isn’t seen on the main roster AEW programming when the male ROH Champions are featured on a weekly basis.

Fans continue to point out these issues, as some platforms like Wrestling Mark on Twitter track the percentage of women’s wrestling each week on major WWE and AEW shows. But as evidence mounts, fans continue to push for Khan to change his perception of the women’s division.

“I like to think that there are people that have our backs. I know that there are people that have our backs, and the more people show that they want to see us, the more that we’re going to get to do,” Statlander said. “Just speak up and prove that you want to see us because we want to be there for you and we want to do anything that we can to put on a show for you guys.”

AEW boasts such a talented women’s division beyond the typical names that are seen each week. Mercedes Martinez, Leyla Hirsch, Serena Deeb, Thunder Rosa, Penelope Ford, Kiera Hogan, The Renegades, Trish Adora, Allysin Kay, and so many others were either once on the show or relegated to ROH without any time on the main line shows. The opportunity is there for the women’s division to push AEW to even further heights, and while fans may scream to see it with all their might, Tony Khan has shown that his vision doesn’t involve what’s best for women’s wrestling today.