Kris Statlander has grown weary of having her abilities questioned. As the reigning AEW Women’s World Champion, she has spent six arduous years endeavoring to demonstrate her stature as a top contender within the company, culminating in her recent triumph of capturing the division’s most coveted title.

Statlander, a 30-year-old hailing from Long Island, claimed victory over the “Timeless” Toni Storm in a thrilling four-way match at September’s All Out event. She solidified her dominance by defeating Storm once more in a one-on-one contest at WrestleDream a month later.

However, Statlander now confronts perhaps her most formidable opponent yet: TBS Champion Mercedes Mone. The two are set to clash at Full Gear, which will be held at the Prudential Center this Saturday at 8 p.m., available for streaming on HBO Max and Prime Video. Statlander’s past encounters with Mone have not gone in her favor, as Mone has bested her twice, including a victory at last year’s Full Gear for the TBS Championship.

Despite her achievements, Statlander, who joined AEW without prior major company experience, is growing increasingly frustrated with the lingering doubts about her legitimacy. She finds herself once again poised to prove that she belongs at the pinnacle of professional wrestling.