Mercedes Mone, the current AEW TBS Champion, demonstrates resilience, passion, and the importance of seizing opportunities. Getting ready to make a significant arrival, this time at Wembley Stadium in front of more than 50,000 fans during AEW’s All In, Mone looks back on the moments that have shaped her career, beginning with a memorable entrance at WWE’s WrestleMania 30.
The call that changed everything
Mercedes Mone was an up-and-coming talent in WWE’s NXT. She received a life-changing call from Matt Bloom, her coach at NXT, at that very moment. What is the message? Triple H, a highly recognizable figure in WWE, had personally asked the women from NXT to accompany him during his lavish entrance at WrestleMania 30. For Mone, this wasn’t merely a professional achievement; it was a pivotal moment that would have a lasting impact on her wrestling career.
“He could have chosen models or extras, but instead, he chose us from NXT!” Mone reminisced in her latest edition of Mone Mag. This action taken by Triple H went beyond a mere display of goodwill; it was a recognition of the abilities and prospects of the NXT women. It was a moment of confirmation for Mone and her colleagues, who had been working nonstop to establish themselves in the field.
Backstage butterflies and Triple’s fatherly advice
On the day of WrestleMania 30, there was a buzzing energy backstage. Mone characterized the feeling as a combination of “butterflies,” blending both excitement and nerves that can only be brought on by such a significant event. However, amid the disorder, Triple H brought a feeling of peace with his comforting presence. Mone remembers clearly what Triple H said before we entered: “Take it all in. This is not just my moment; this is all our moment.'”
Those words resonated deeply with Mone. They were not just about that particular night; they were about the journey ahead. Triple H, with his wealth of experience, knew that the wrestling world was as much about the moments shared as it was about the individual accolades. He ended his pep talk with a prophecy that would later come true for Mone: “One day you’ll be having your own entrance at WrestleMania.”
A career of iconic entrances
Triple H’s prediction wasn’t just a comforting thought; it was a reality that soon unfolded. Mone went on to have multiple WrestleMania entrances, each more iconic than the last. Perhaps the most memorable was when her cousin, the legendary rapper Snoop Dogg, performed live as he escorted her to the ring. This entrance, filled with swagger and star power, symbolized Mone’s ascent to the top of WWE’s women’s division.
However, it wasn’t only regarding the entrances. Mone’s professional journey was defined by memorable bouts and occasions, such as being the main event at WrestleMania 37 while holding the title of “SmackDown” Women’s Champion. In that bout, she competed against Bianca Belair in a revolutionary showdown highlighting their impressive athleticism and the progress of women’s wrestling in WWE. Even though Mone didn’t win the title that evening, the game was still a triumph for diversity and fairness in the sport.
The departure from WWE and a new chapter in Aew
In May 2022, Mone captured attention once more, but this time for an alternative cause. With Naomi as her tag team partner, she bravely chose to depart from WWE. The decision surprised both fans and professionals, but for Mone, it was a vital part of her path. Following her recovery from a severe ankle injury that nearly ended her career, she debuted in AEW in March, signaling the start of a fresh chapter.
Mone faced challenges when transitioning to AEW, but she soon showed her abilities by winning the TBS Championship from Willow Nightingale at Double or Nothing. This win showcased her strength and skill to adjust, traits that have characterized her career since the start.
All In a new milestone at Wembley Stadium
Mercedes Mone anticipates her upcoming title defense at AEW’s All-In with excitement. This will mark her debut at All In, a highly anticipated moment ever since she first watched the original event as a spectator. Now, she enters the ring not only as an observer but as a titleholder, prepared to protect her championship against a recently returned Britt Baker.
The stakes are elevated, and the ambiance will be charged with excitement. For Mone, this isn’t just any old game; it’s another chance to make a lasting memory in her successful career. The path from NXT to WWE’s WrestleMania, and now to AEW’s All In, has been lengthy and packed with obstacles, however, it is a voyage that Mone has taken on with fervor and resolve.