Mercedes Mone made headlines on January 4th with her NJPW debut at Wrestle Kingdom 17, but it is a photo shared by Dax Harwood that has become just as big a talking point.
The Tokyo Dome played host to a strong card which included current AEW and WWE talent, with cross-overs avoided until Dax, one half of FTR, shared a backstage photo showing the tag team with the debuting Mone AND current WWE star Bayley.
Mone made a striking start to her NJPW career, laying out the IWGP Women’s Champion KAIRI to set up a title match between the two former WWE colleagues at Battle in the Valley on the 18th February.
FTR meanwhile, put their IWGP Tag Team Championship on the line in a high paced battle with Bishamon that ended with new champions being crowned.
This ended a fine run for FTR as champions across multiple promotions and leaves them clear to focus on gold in AEW.
Mercedes Mone Pictured With FTR And Bayley
Recreating a previous group photo, Dax shared his joy at again sharing a locker room with the inaugural WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, tweeting the words ‘What a life.’
What a life. pic.twitter.com/PPHHxmmnrr
— Uncle Dax FTR (@DaxFTR) January 4, 2023
WWE and AEW were made aware of talent from both companies appearing on the same event, with WWE’s Karl Anderson and former AEW Heavyweight Champion Kenny Omega all in action. However it is the unexpected attendance of Bayley that has brought a reaction across social media.
Bayley is currently heading up the Damage Control faction on Raw and feuding with Becky Lynch. Rumours toward the end of last year had been circulating that Mone might be returning back to WWE, where fans had hoped to see a reunion between The Boss and Hug Connection.
Mercedes Mone is making the most of her persona, with a new merchandise line released on Pro Wrestling Tees and will be focusing on adding the IWGP Women’s Championship to her collection.