Kris Statlander Defeats Hikaru Shida Ahead of TBS Championship Showdown

Kris Statlander is gearing up for a significant match at AEW Full Gear, where she will challenge Mercedes Moné for the TBS Championship. However, before that clash, Statlander faced a tough opponent in Hikaru Shida on AEW Dynamite.

The match between Statlander and Shida began with commentators questioning the wisdom of Statlander taking on such a formidable opponent just days before her title match. Despite Statlander’s competitive skills, Shida proved to be an initial challenge, managing to throw Statlander to the outside and continue her attack on the floor. Shida nearly secured victory with a pin upon their return to the ring, but Statlander was able to kick out.

As the battle continued, Statlander mounted a comeback, exchanging blows with Shida during the commercial break. By the time the broadcast resumed, Statlander seemed to have gained the upper hand, yet putting away Shida still proved elusive. Their history added an edge to this matchup, as Statlander had emerged victorious in their previous encounter, a fact Shida was determined to overturn.

Shida came close to clinching the win with a cradle pin and then attempted her Kitana finisher, only for Statlander to dodge it. Shida’s subsequent use of the Falcon Arrow achieved a two count. In a final twist, Shida’s attempt at a second Kitana was countered by Statlander, who executed her finisher to seal the victory.

Post-match, the mutual respect between Statlander and Shida was evident as they shook hands, only for Mercedes Moné to interrupt the moment. Moné, visibly confident, taunted Statlander, claiming her reign as champion would not end at Full Gear. An attempt by Moné to attack Statlander using her associate Kamille misfired due to Kamille’s injury. The confrontation ended with Statlander getting the better of Moné by executing a Friday Night Fever maneuver.

Meanwhile, in other segments on AEW Dynamite, Renee Paquette engaged with several wrestlers backstage. The AEW Women’s World Champion, Mariah May, accompanied by her Rose Gold tag team partner Mina Shirakawa, hinted at celebratory plans for Full Gear, despite having a match scheduled on Rampage first.