For the second time on the February 11, 2026 episode of AEW Dynamite, a new champion has been crowned as in the main event of the show, Thekla defeated Kris Statlander to win the AEW Women's World Championship!
Match Details:
Thekla and Statlander battled it out in a bloody brawl with this strap match, showcasing that when the women's division gets into the hardcore element of things in All Elite Wrestling, they always knock it out of the park.
In the end, the strap itself was crucial to Thekla's victory, as she tied up Statlander's hands to make it harder for her to kick out, before stomping her for the pin.
After the match, Julia Hart and Skye Blue continued to attack Statlander. As The Babes of Wrath were already in Australia (as established from a video package that aired earlier in the night), Statlander had no immediate backup to save her, but The Brawling Birds (Alex Windsor and Jamie Hayter) decided to run to the ring and help out, sending The Triangle of Madness on the retreat.
Personal Reactions & What Happens Next?:
Just as I had said with regards to Kyle Fletcher beating Tommaso Ciampa for the TNT Championship, I'm of two opinions about the title change. On the negative side of things, I feel like Statlander could have held the title longer and I wouldn't have thought it was too long of a run. However, I'm far more of the opinion overall that Thekla has been such a great addition to the women's division and the roster as a whole that she was more than deserving of capturing this belt, and a viable person to dethrone Statlander due to her win-loss record as well.
I had been thinking Megan Bayne would win the title so that she could eventually drop it to Willow Nightingale once Willow dropped the TBS Championship, but that plan was clearly wrong, and I'm not opposed to not being right about it, to be honest. Whoever takes out Thekla is a mystery to me right now, but I don't think that will happen for at least a few months, unlike Ciampa's quick title reign.
Tell us what you think about this title change by leaving a comment below! Who do you think will be the next in line to challenge for the title, or possibly even win the belt next? Keep the discussion going!