Kris Statlander has hit out at critics of her AEW TBS Championship victory.
Statlander made a shock unannounced return at AEW Double Or Nothing on 28th May, defeating the previously unbeaten Jade Cargill to lift the gold.
Cargill had just battled to a hard fought win over Taya Valkyrie to retain her title, moving to a 60-0 record as a result. Following the win, Mark Sterling claimed Cargill would defend the title any time and any place, with the returning Statlander answering the challenge.
Many have been critical of the title change however, with prominent wrestling journalist Dave Meltzer describing the booking as ‘weird’.
Kris Statlander Defends TBS Title Booking
In a recent appearance on the Rob Brown Show, Statlander responded to recent criticism of her AEW TBS Championship victory, suggesting that there was also a great deal of backing for her victory from fans:
“I think it’s a mix.There was a lot of support for me, before I got injured a second time, for me to get a big moment like I did, and there was a lot of support just hoping for the best for me when I came back.
I was really fortunate that, even throughout all my injuries people still supported me no matter what. I do see a lot of criticism about how it went down, but you can’t change the past, it is what it is, I’m just here to do my job and be the best that I can be.
That’s just how it played out and how it worked out for me that day. I apologize if anyone feels a certain way about it. People can’t go streaking forever.”
Although some felt the booking had been rushed, reports have suggested that the decision to switch the title to Statlander had been in the works for months.
H/T: Fightful for the above transcription