AEW’s women’s division may have just gained a major boost, as a familiar name made her long-awaited return and immediately set her sights on championship gold.
During this week’s episode of AEW Dynamite, a backstage segment featuring Renee Paquette and Kris Statlander took an unexpected turn when a former world champion stepped back into the spotlight.
The segment followed Statlander’s loss to Thekla for the AEW Women’s World Championship last week. Statlander confirmed that she was not yet medically cleared after the brutal encounter, but made it clear she still intends to go after the new champion.
That was when Thunder Rosa appeared, marking her first appearance on AEW programming since the All In Texas pay-per-view last July. Rosa revealed that she has now been cleared to return to in-ring action and wasted little time making her intentions known.
The former champion addressed Thekla directly in a Spanish-language promo, warning the newly crowned titleholder that she was coming for her. When Statlander tried to caution Rosa about dealing with the “Toxic Spider,” Rosa brushed aside the concern, confidently stating that she is better than ever.
.@callmekrisstat is dead set on revenge against the newly crowned #AEW Women’s World Champion Thekla, but @thunderrosa22 is cleared and ready for a fight!
Watch #AEWDynamite LIVE on TBS & HBO Max pic.twitter.com/rM9E810RFd
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) February 19, 2026
When Will Kris Statlander Return To AEW?
While there is no confirmed timetable for Kris Statlander’s return to competition, Thunder Rosa’s comeback immediately places her into the title picture, with a potential showdown against Thekla now seeming increasingly likely.
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