Ex-AEW Champion Supports Yet Another Tournament

Could another AEW tournament be on the way?

In November 2023, AEW introduced the Continental Classic. The month-long tournament is the company’s answer to New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s famous G1 Climax and sees competitors split into two blocks for a round-robin opening phrase before the top two from each block meet in the semi-finals.

The first-ever tournament was won by Eddie Kingston who claimed the Continental Championship in the process — although he later lost this to Kazuchika Okada.

At Worlds End, Okada won the second edition of the tournament after beating Will Ospreay in the finals.

Kris Statlander Wants Women’s AEW Continental Classic

During a new interview with Matthew Aguilar for ComicBook, Kris Statlander called on Tony Khan to introduce a woman’s version of the tournament. The star added that every time the women’s roster is given an opportunity they always step up.

“Why would I not want more opportunities as a woman on the women’s roster? I would love anything, anything really. The Continental Classic is something, we have something we haven’t had before. We haven’t had a Battle Royal in quite a long time.

More tournaments, more Gauntlets, anything. Anytime the women get a chance to really step up and show out, we always exceed expectations, and I just want to be a part of everything that you could possibly be a part of,”

At Worlds End, Statlander again lost out to Mercedes Mone as she looked to recapture the TBS Championship. The loss was the second crushing defeat in as many months after Statlander failed to beat Mone at Full Gear.

Statlander won the TBS Title at Double or Nothing 2023 where she got the better of Jade Cargill. The star held the gold until Full Gear that November where she lost to Julia Hart in a three-way match also involving Skye Blue.

Following her win over Statlander, Mercedes Mone will now head to Japan to face Mina Shirakawa at Wrestle Dynasty. In the huge bout at the Tokyo Dome, Mone’s NJPW Strong Women’s Title and Shirakawa’s RevPro Undisputed British Women’s Championship will both be on the line.