Mercedes Mone, formerly known as Sasha Banks, has been making headlines for a potential debut at Tony Khan’s All Elite Wrestling (AEW) in the near future. Fans are eagerly anticipating ‘The Boss’ making her significant debut since departing WWE in May 2022.
Previously, Mercedes had teased WWE fans about rejoining the company, but the deal fell through due to salary issues. Recently, she was spotted training with former WWE talent Tyler Breeze, hinting at her imminent AEW debut later this year.
Mercedes Mone trains with Tyler Breeze ahead of her highly anticipated debut
AEW President Tony Khan dropped a hint a few weeks ago on an episode of Dynamite, suggesting that a former WWE superstar is likely to join the Jacksonville-based promotion in the upcoming months. Fans quickly speculated that this potential addition could be Mercedes Mone.
The three-time WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion was recently spotted training with Tyler Breeze, fueling anticipation for her highly awaited arrival in AEW. Many fans are connecting the dots between Mone’s training sessions and the possibility of her joining a prominent promotion that can fully showcase her wrestling talents.
The five-time Raw Women’s Championship shared a cryptic post on Twitter a week ago amid rumors of her AEW appearance. She said, “I remember when I couldn’t pay the rent. Now I own the whole building that I’m living in. Sky’s the limit when you’re never giving in. You get in, you ride it out, and don’t look back again.”
I remember when couldn't pay the rent
— Mercedes Moné Varnado (@MercedesVarnado) February 8, 2024
Now I own the whole building that I'm living in
Sky's the limit when you're never giving in
You get in, you ride it out
And don't look back again
Mone became one of the most sought-after free agents in the wrestling industry following her departure from New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW). After the rumors of her not signing with WWE became public, ‘The Boss’ soon chose to sign with AEW and make her debut within a promotion comparable to the Stamford-based company.
WWE reportedly refused to meet Mercedes Mone’s salary demand
Mercedes Mone is anticipated to make her appearance at Tony Khan’s AEW Dynamite: Big Business on March 13 in Boston. In January, fans were hopeful about Banks rejoining WWE, but it was later disclosed that negotiations between the company and Mone had broken down due to salary issues. Rumors suggested that Mercedes’ asking price exceeded the amount WWE was willing to pay.
Mercedes Mone is headed to AEW, and has been on their payroll for a while.
— Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful.com (@SeanRossSapp) February 8, 2024
Fightful Select and @AndrewZarian have learned a lot more — how long the deal has been done, things that could have held it up, the WWE element, and her future in Japan.
Now up for subscribers pic.twitter.com/A34y0S1Dgi
During the Wrestling Observer Radio session, Dave Meltzer revealed that Mone’s asking price might have been near ‘The Queen’ Charlotte Flair’s asking price when she signed her contract.
Meltzer said, “I don’t know her actual money demands, but I know in a general what she was looking for from WWE, and it was kinda in the range, and for a star of her caliber, while it would be a little bit more than WWE would be paying her, what she was looking for, maybe even more than a little bit more, but it was not more than they pay other women, and she was one of their bigger stars.”
Although Mone neither confirmed nor denied her joining AEW, some fans are still expecting her to return to WWE. ‘The Role Model’ Bayley even expressed her desire to fight Mercedes again if she joined the TKO company but due to the salary fallout that seems unlikely to occur. Some other fans have also expressed their happiness with Mone joining AEW as she can build her legacy from the ground up again.
What do you think about Mercedes Mone training with WWE talent ahead of imminent AEW debut? Let us know your thoughts on it in the comment section below!
