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Mercedes Mone’s arrival in AEW has significantly reshaped the promotion’s landscape. As the TBS Champion, she has been a major focus on AEW television and it appears she has bragged about being offered lucrative deals before joining AEW.
The TBS Champion spoke with BT and Sal on WFAN to promote her champion versus champion match against NJPW STRONG Women’s Champion Stephanie Vaquer at the AEW & NJPW: Forbidden Door.
During the conversation, Mercedes Mone reflected on her time as a free agent before joining AEW. She found the free agent market both exciting and overwhelming, as she bragged about numerous companies showing strong interest in signing her with lucrative offers. Despite WWE’s continued efforts to bring her back, she felt a strong pull to move forward in her career.
Conversations with Tony Khan and other companies like New Japan and CMLL spanned two years as she considered her options. Her decision was solidified after attending AEW All In at Wembley, where the energy of the 80,000-strong crowd resonated deeply with her. This experience convinced her that AEW was the right fit, leading to her signing what she considers an extraordinary contract in wrestling history.
“In a sense, I enjoyed it, because I was like, ‘I can’t believe how many companies want me so bad and how many lucrative deals were put on the table. Which one do I choose? Which one do I want,’” Mone said. “It was also scary at the same time because WWE is WWE. I was like, ‘Do I go back?’ My heart was saying, ‘Don’t go back, go forward.’ I kept hearing that in my head. ‘Keep going forward.’ They keep offering me things and they keep asking me to come back. ‘Mercedes, go forward.’ New Japan came about. CMLL. AEW.
Just having the conversation with Tony (Khan). It took about two years of having conversations. ‘Will this work? Is this what I want? Is this what my heart wants?’ Finally, I went to All In at Wembley. Being in the crowd and seeing how 80,000 fans, it wasn’t WrestleMania, it was AEW All In. I was like, ‘This is where I want to be. I want to be here and this company feels aligned with my soul.’ We kept talking and I got the most amazing contract in wrestling history.”
Mercedes Mone also confirmed she has creative control in AEW. As mentioned already, Mercedes Mone is set to face Stephanie Vaquer in a highly anticipated “Title for Title” match at Forbidden Door on June 30th, so we’ll have to see who will come out on top in the match.
Do you feel Mercedes Mone has been worth the investment in AEW so far? Let us know in the comments section below!
