Former AEW Women's World Champion Kris Statlander has been with All Elite Wrestling since the company's first year, but long-time fans of the "Cosmic Killer" will know that the same year she debuted for AEW, she also debuted for WWE. Simply going by the name Kristen, she teamed up with Karissa as The Brooklyn Belles to take on The IIconics for the WWE Women's Tag Team Championships on the April 9, 2019 episode of "WWE SmackDown." Statlander was asked about her one and only WWE match during a recent episode of the "Insight" podcast, revealing that herself and Karissa were meant to have a very different gimmick than just being from Brooklyn.

"Originally, the team name was supposed to be the Brooklyn Pizza Connection, and we were supposed to be named Saucy and Cheesy," Statlander said, noting that she never got to find out whether she was going to be Saucy or Cheesy. "Those were the options, then it was The Brooklyn Belles and then just used our first names. But I was like 'It kind of would have been iconic to have been either saucy or cheesy,' and my only match there was a tag title match, so what a way to go in and go out right away. But now I have tag titles in AEW to go for, and maybe I'll be Saucy or Cheesy, or Garlic, or Oregano something like that." 

Statlander went on to reveal that she had done some other extra work for WWE that never made it to air, but she was in attendance at WrestleMania 35 in 2019 as her former trainer, Brian Myers, won his first-ever match at a WrestleMania as Curt Hawkins, winning the WWE Raw Tag Team Championships with Zack Ryder. However, nothing ever came about in terms of an offer to join WWE despite her former trainer working for the company, and later on in 2019, Statlander got an email about working for AEW, which ultimately led to a full-time contract and she has been "All Elite" ever since.

Please credit "Insight" when using quotes from this article, and give a H/T to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.

Read more: 15 Gimmicks That Were Dead On Arrival

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Welcome to Wrestling Inc.'s coverage of "AEW Collision: Slam Dunk Saturday" on March 21, 2026, coming to you from the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California!

TNT Champion Kyle Fletcher will put his title on the line against NJPW's Robbie Eagles. Eagles earned a shot at the title during the House Rules show in Australia last month. Eagles also trained Fletcher and has known him since Fletcher was 12.

After defeating The IINSPIRATION in less than two minutes, the Brawling Birds look to continue their winning streak when they take on Sisters of Sin.

Claudio Castagnoli and Daniel Garcia will compete against Komander and Mascara Dorada.

RUSH and Dralistico returned from injury to compete in the 21-Man Blackjack Battle Royale alongside Beast Mortos. All three men will be in action tonight.

Read more: What Could Have Been: What If Goldberg Hadn't Concussed Bret Hart In WCW?

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In less than a year, Thekla has made her mark on AEW, quickly rising up the card to become AEW Women's World Champion. But she hasn't done it all by herself, aligning with Skye Blue and Julia Hart to form the Triangle of Madness, a stable that has been instrumental in not only helping Thekla take the Women's Title from Kris Statlander, but helping her retain it against Statlander at AEW Revolution.

In an interview with "TheSportster," Thekla talked about her alliance with Blue and Hart, and revealed how the two helped her acclimate to AEW, despite both lacking the experience Thekla has overall.

"I think it's very cool to work with those two, because they're both a little younger than me, they haven't been around that much yet in the wrestling business," Thekla said. "I'm almost, like, we're going on 9 years, 10 years, you know? I've been around. Those two know AEW though, you know what I mean? 

"They helped me navigate a little bit, and gave me some insider information that helped me understand really quickly like 'Oh, that's how I do this, and that's who I have to be afraid of.' That kind of stuff...If you know, if you've got that inside knowledge, that's how I did it [won the title] in eight months. So those two are great."

While Blue and Hart have been helpful to her, Thekla also believes that she can help the duo improve as well, admitting that both Hart and Blue share similar traits to herself.

"I see a lot of myself in them, and I see a lot of talent they have and that I try to, like, incorporate in what I'm doing," Thekla said. "And I also hope that I can give them a little bit of inspiration, or like, knowledge on how to make it and navigate yourself in this business."

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit "TheSportster" and provide a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription

Read more: AEW Stars: Meet Their Spouses & Partners

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