In a move that can only be described as a career risk on par with trying to catch a flying Kris Statlander, Stokely Hathaway is stepping back into the ring for the first time in over a year. That’s right, folks, the man who usually prefers to handle business with a microphone in hand and a slick suit on his back is trading it all in for tights and body slams at AEW’s biggest show of the year, All In. It’s like watching your accountant suddenly decide to join a circus—unexpected, yet oddly compelling.
During Saturday night’s AEW Collision, Hathaway found himself in a rather sticky situation. After joining forces with Kris Statlander in their ongoing feud with Willow Nightingale, the duo received a challenge that Hathaway seemed to want no part of. Tomohiro Ishii, evidently on a quest to create the most mismatched tag team ever, brainstormed a plan with Nightingale, which resulted in them challenging Statlander and Hathaway to a match at All In Zero Hour. Statlander, ever the opportunist, accepted the challenge before Hathaway could get out his resignation letter.
This high-stakes bout marks Hathaway’s grand return to the ring, taking place at none other than Wembley Stadium. The last time Hathaway laced up his boots was over a year ago when he teamed with Samoa Joe on “ROH on HonorClub.” Though it’s worth noting, Hathaway’s wrestling record isn’t exactly Hall of Fame material. His most recent in-ring escapades include getting deleted in The Firm Deletion match and serving as Hook’s personal punching bag for three minutes—a performance that was less ‘thriller,’ more ‘chiller.’
As for Statlander, she’s got her eyes on a bigger prize. Having already secured a future shot at Nightingale’s CMLL World Women’s Championship, Statlander seems ready to juggle gold hunting with babysitting her reluctant partner. Will Hathaway manage to survive the chaos of Wembley, or will this be another entry in his “Reasons I Should Stick to Managing” diary? Tune in to All In Zero Hour to find out!