Ahead of her title defense at Sunday’s All In: London, AEW TBS and NJPW Strong Women’s Champion Mercedes Mone’s spoke with The Independent about women’s pro wrestling, the difference between WWE and AEW and her acting career.
Mone’ on leaving WWE in 2022:
“In 2022 I left WWE. It was something my heart told me I needed to do, and it ended up being the right choice – this year I signed with WWE’s biggest competitor All Elite Wrestling (AEW), and now I’m ready to disrupt the business all over again.”
Mone’s says the AEW women’s division is “something special”
“The women’s division here is something special, and I love seeing it progress and grow. I remember seeing the current women’s champion, Toni Storm, back when she was in WWE. Back then she was so shy and introverted – now every week I’m glued to my set like I’m 10 again, waiting to see what Timeless Toni does next. Or Mariah May, who came into this business a superfan like me, and is taking over (a little like me, too). Or Willow Nightingale, who I beat for my TBS Championship – she’s just starting out, but she’s going to be huge.”
The difference between WWE and AEW:
“The difference between the two companies is night and day. In WWE you have no idea what you’ll be doing week to week, but here I have space to be heard. Along with Tony Khan and with my friend and personal writer Jennifer Pepperman, there’s time to sit down and really plan out the kinds of stories we want to tell. I’m treated with genuine respect, and I really feel seen in a way I sometimes haven’t before. I love it so much here.”
Music, acting and more is next:
“As for what’s next? I’m going to take every other industry by storm, the same way I did professional wrestling. Music, acting, clothing, make-up, podcasting – you name it, I’m going to take it over.”
Mone’s will make sure women’s wrestling keeps growing:
“…I’m going to make sure that women’s wrestling keeps on growing. I’m here to tell the world that we cannot be ignored – we cannot be denied. I’ve helped make room not only for myself, but for every great woman who steps into that ring – and this Sunday at All In, we’re going to show them that we’re here to stay.”
Mone’ is set to defend the AEW TBS Championship against Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D. at Sunday’s All In: London pay-per-view, live from Wembley Stadium.