Ryan Nixon
Mercedes Moné formally debuted for All Elite Wrestling (AEW) on Wednesday evening and immediately modified the face of the corporate’s ladies’s division.
Moné, whose given identify is Mercedes Varnado and can also be recognized for her time in WWE as Sasha Banks, hit the ring in her hometown of Boston to a thunderous reception from the followers in attendance.
“It was unbelievable,” Moné instructed Selection. “I nonetheless haven’t gotten to take every part in but, however my coronary heart was simply pounding out of my chest. As soon as I heard the beat drop within the music and the ‘CEO’ chants have been on the screens, after which they revealed the ‘Mercedes Moné’ identify, that eruption was so electrical. I felt so cool. I felt like Stone Chilly Steve Austin, when followers simply carry up all their indicators and arise with their arms raised. I felt so cool. It was the very best feeling on the planet.”
Moné left WWE in late 2022 however by no means rested on her laurels. Since that point, she has appeared in notable promotions like New Japan Professional Wrestling and Stardom, whereas additionally coaching on the famed NJPW Dojo, the Professional Wrestling NOAH Dojo, and in Mexico with the likes of Juventud Guerrera and Skayde.
“I’ve been within the wrestling enterprise for 14 years now, and to have the ability to carry on studying and rising, to sharpen my instruments, I feel that’s actually thrilling,” Moné mentioned. After struggling an damage final yr, she additionally started coaching once more with Tyler Breeze on the Flatbacks Wrestling Faculty in December in preparation for her AEW debut.
Now the query turns into who might be her first opponent in AEW? As Moné herself says, she has historical past with roughly half of the AEW ladies’s roster, together with stars like Willow Nightingale and Saraya (aka Paige in WWE). However she can also be very open to mixing it up with somebody totally new.
“I all the time really feel prefer it’s finest after I’ve by no means been within the ring with an opponent earlier than simply so we are able to feed off that the pure chemistry and the magic immediately. However to tie up with Willow once more once we solely had like half a match, to tie it up with Saraya once more can be wonderful. I’ve by no means gotten to wrestle [AEW Women’s Champion] Toni Storm. I’ve by no means wrestled Skye Blue, or Julia Hart. The expertise is simply limitless. I’m wanting ahead to dealing with everyone.”