AEW has found its Rhea Ripley

Monday Night RAW - Source: Getty
Rhea Ripley. [Image Source: Getty]

Rhea Ripley has emerged as one of the top WWE attractions of the modern era. When she burst onto the scene as part of the Mae Young Classic in 2017, it was clear that The Eradicator was bound for major success in the Stamford-based promotion.

Ad

WWE's resident Mami did just that by headlining marquee events, winning multiple titles and accolades, and garnering a loyal fan base. From being an integral part of The Judgment Day to holding her own as a top singles performer, Ripley has done it all and still has a lengthy career ahead of her.

Interestingly, AEW President and CEO Tony Khan might have found a star equivalent to The Nightmare in the form of Kris Statlander.

Ad

Kris Statlander and Rhea Ripley have a similar stature and in-ring presence

One of the most intriguing aspects about Rhea Ripley is her dominant in-ring style and impressive physical stature. She is known to strike fear into the hearts of not only female but also some male WWE Superstars.

This trait has been very similar to AEW's Kris Statlander, who boasts the same aura on either side of the squared circle, making her equivalent to one of WWE's top stars of the modern era.

Ad

Harley Cameron's pairing with Kris Statlander is similar to Rhea Ripley and Liv Morgan's partnership in WWE

Ad

After Rhea Ripley started to gain momentum on WWE's main roster, she was paired with fellow top star and now her biggest rival, Liv Morgan. Their partnership was highly compelling to witness each week on RAW. Mami brought the size and strength to the table, while Morgan had the charisma and captivating presence.

One can say the same about Kris Statlander's recent partnership with Harley Cameron, with the AEW stars showcasing the same traits. This could have driven the Tony Khan-led creative team to book them as a duo in a bid to establish them as future top singles stars.

Ad

AEW has been dropping hints about booking Kris Statlander, similar to how WWE initially booked Rhea Ripley

One of the biggest reasons that makes Kris Statlander a counterpart to Rhea Ripley in AEW is that the creative team has been dropping hints of her potential heel turn, something that made Mami a household name in the wrestling world. Following her heel turn in April 2022, the Australian was unveiled as a member of The Judgment Day. During her stint with the faction, Rhea's character work and her romantic storyline with Dominik Mysterio elevated her to the top of the women's division.

Ad

For months, Statlander has been approached by The Death Riders, with the company subtly hinting at a future partnership. Moreover, Wheeler Yuta has conducted cryptic talks with Statlander in recent times. He can be the equivalent of Mysterio if the 30-year-old joins Jon Moxley and Co. in the future.

Should Statlander join The Death Riders, it could mark her rise to the next level, similar to how Ripley became a top draw in WWE.

Quick Links

Edited by N.S Walia
Sportskeeda logo
Close menu
WWE
WWE
NBA
NBA
NFL
NFL
MMA
MMA
Tennis
Tennis
NHL
NHL
Golf
Golf
MLB
MLB
Soccer
Soccer
F1
F1
WNBA
WNBA
down arrow icon
More
bell-icon Manage notifications