Mercedes Mone sees Kris Statlander as ‘another wrestling soulmate’

After two highly praised pay-per-view matches, Mercedes Mone knows that she and Kris Statlander share a special connection in the ring.

Mone retained the TBS Championship over Statlander at both AEW Full Gear and Worlds End. In this week’s edition of her Mone Mag, Mone explained that she wasn’t feeling her best at Worlds End due to exhaustion and the “lingering effects of a relentless illness.” But as soon as they got into the ring, Statlander’s energy helped Mone rise to the occasion. She feels like she’s found another in-ring soulmate in Statlander.

“Backstage, the trainers rallied around me, offering encouragement and advice. As I prepared for my match, I felt a mix of nerves and adrenaline. The moment I stepped into the ring, I was struck by Kris’s renewed energy. It was clear that this would be a battle like no other,” Mone wrote. “Despite feeling like I was at my lowest, I tapped into a reservoir of strength I didn’t know I had. Each move was a testament to the hard work and perseverance that had brought me to this moment. As the match progressed, I narrowly escaped defeat, pushing my body and mind to their limits. Finally, after the exhilarating 1-2-3 count, I stumbled to the back, utterly drained but exhilarated.

“The praise that followed was overwhelming. Fans and peers alike hailed our match as one of the greatest women’s bouts of all time. In my heart, I knew that Kris had pushed me to be better, to think creatively, and to fight with everything I had. She’s not just a formidable opponent, but I think I’ve found another wrestling soulmate who challenges me to elevate my game.”

Mone added that she can’t wait to wrestle Statlander again — and Mone believes they can have an even greater match next time when she’s 100 percent.

Last month, Mone called her Full Gear match against Statlander one of her favorite bouts that she’s ever had.

Next up for Mone is a Tokyo Dome showdown against Mina Shirakawa at Wrestle Dynasty on January 5. It’s a double title match where Mone’s NJPW Strong Women’s Championship and Shirakawa’s Revolution Pro Wrestling Undisputed British Women’s Championship are both on the line.

If Mone defeats Shirakawa, she will become a triple champion — holding the TBS, NJPW Strong, and RevPro belts.

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