Long before Kris Statlander carved her name into the annals of All Elite Wrestling as the formidable "Cosmic Killer," a universe away from the AEW roster she now calls home, her professional wrestling journey nearly took a decidedly more… appetizing turn. It was in the year 2019, the same year she would first step foot into the hallowed grounds of AEW, that Statlander, then known simply as Kristen, found herself in the employ of World Wrestling Entertainment. Her singular appearance for the sports entertainment giant occurred on the April 9th edition of WWE SmackDown, where she joined forces with fellow competitor Karissa, forming a tag team christened "The Brooklyn Belles." Their mission on that fateful night was to challenge the reigning WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, The IIconics, in a contest that, while brief, represented a significant milestone in Statlander’s burgeoning career. However, as revealed in a recent candid discussion on the "Insight" podcast, this brief WWE foray was almost a gateway to a wrestling persona far more outlandish and memorable than the straightforward moniker of "The Brooklyn Belles" ever suggested.
The initial concept for Statlander and Karissa’s on-screen characters was reportedly far more thematic, leaning into a distinct culinary inspiration. Statlander divulged that the intended team name was "The Brooklyn Pizza Connection," a moniker that immediately conjures images of a wrestling duo with a strong connection to New York’s iconic pizza culture. Even more telling were the proposed individual ring names. She recounted with a mixture of amusement and perhaps a touch of lingering curiosity that she and Karissa were slated to be known as "Saucy" and "Cheesy." Statlander admitted she never had the opportunity to discover which of these delectable monikers would have been assigned to her, nor did she delve into the specifics of how these pizza-themed identities would have been fleshed out in terms of attire or in-ring presentation. However, the very idea of entering the squared circle under such playful, food-centric names struck her as possessing a certain unique appeal. She mused on the potential impact of such a debut, stating that being introduced to the WWE universe as either "Saucy" or "Cheesy" in a high-stakes tag title match would have been a truly "iconic" way to make her initial, and in this case, only, mark. While she has since achieved tag team championship success in AEW, the allure of that almost-realized WWE gimmick remains a fascinating "what if" in her career trajectory.
Beyond this singular televised match, Statlander’s connection to WWE in 2019 extended to other, less visible involvements. She participated in additional extra work for the company, opportunities that ultimately never materialized into televised segments or storylines. This period also saw her present at WrestleMania 35, a significant event for her, not just as a spectator, but as a supporter of her former trainer, Brian Myers, then known as Curt Hawkins. Myers, alongside his tag team partner Zack Ryder, secured their first-ever WrestleMania victory that night, capturing the WWE Raw Tag Team Championships. Despite this personal connection and her presence within the WWE ecosystem, no concrete offer of employment was ever extended to Statlander. The wrestling landscape is a dynamic and often unpredictable entity, and opportunities can arise and dissipate with remarkable speed. For Statlander, the path that would eventually lead to her prominent position in AEW began to solidify later in 2019. An email arrived, an invitation to work for a burgeoning promotion that was rapidly establishing itself as a significant player in the industry. This correspondence marked the beginning of her "All Elite" journey, a decision that has seen her flourish as a unique and captivating performer.
The narrative of Statlander’s near-miss with a pizza-themed persona in WWE offers a compelling glimpse into the often-unseen machinations of professional wrestling character development. Promotions like WWE and AEW invest considerable resources into crafting distinct identities for their talent, aiming to create characters that resonate with audiences and drive storylines. These concepts can range from the deeply serious and intimidating to the comically absurd, and the journey from initial idea to fully realized gimmick is rarely linear. The "Saucy" and "Cheesy" concept, while perhaps sounding somewhat juvenile on paper, possessed the potential for a unique niche. In a landscape often dominated by archetypal heroes and villains, characters with a strong, memorable gimmick can stand out. Imagine the visual possibilities: perhaps vibrant, pizza-slice-inspired gear, or in-ring taunts that played on culinary terms. The very act of being a "Brooklyn Pizza Connection" would have immediately provided a built-in narrative hook, a connection to a specific, widely recognizable cultural touchstone.
The success of such a gimmick, of course, would have depended on numerous factors. The execution by the performers, the booking decisions made by the creative team, and the audience’s reception would all have played crucial roles. Some gimmicks, no matter how well-intentioned, fail to connect, while others, seemingly absurd, capture the imagination. Consider the enduring popularity of characters like The Honky Tonk Man, with his Elvis Presley-inspired swagger, or The Undertaker, whose supernatural persona has become legendary. These characters, while vastly different in tone and presentation, succeeded because they were committed to by the performers and embraced by the fans. A pizza-themed duo could have, in theory, carved out their own space, perhaps becoming a popular comedic act or even a surprisingly effective heel unit, using their unique flavor to their advantage. The fact that this concept was even considered highlights WWE’s constant search for fresh and engaging character ideas.
Statlander’s reflection on this nearly-realized gimmick also speaks to the broader evolution of professional wrestling character archetypes. In eras past, characters were often more straightforward and less nuanced. Today, with the advent of social media and increased fan engagement, there’s a greater appetite for characters that possess a degree of self-awareness and often incorporate elements of the performer’s own personality or interests. Statlander’s own "Cosmic Killer" persona in AEW, with its alien-inspired themes and distinctive costume, is a prime example of a character that blends a fantastical concept with a unique visual identity. Her willingness to discuss the "Saucy" and "Cheesy" idea with a sense of humor and appreciation for its potential also suggests a performer who is open to creative exploration and understands the theatricality inherent in professional wrestling.
The wrestling industry is replete with stories of characters that were conceptualized but never fully realized, or those that underwent significant transformations before their debut. These "what if" scenarios are a fascinating aspect of wrestling history, offering insight into the creative process and the myriad decisions that shape a wrestler’s career. For Kris Statlander, the opportunity to potentially step into the WWE ring as "Saucy" or "Cheesy" was a brief flirtation with a different path. While it didn’t come to fruition, her current success in AEW as a compelling and popular performer demonstrates that she has found a wrestling home where her unique talents and creative spirit can truly shine. The "Cosmic Killer" has proven to be a far more fitting and impactful persona, but the tantalizing glimpse of a pizza-powered past remains an intriguing footnote in the impressive career of one of AEW’s brightest stars. It serves as a reminder that the wrestling world is a fertile ground for imagination, where even the most unexpected concepts can be explored, and where a performer’s destiny can be shaped by a series of creative choices, some that see the light of day, and some that remain forever unbaked.
