On the eve of her IWGP Women’s Title defence against Mayu Iwatani, Mercedes Mone has fired back at rumours about her future.
It had widely been suggested that her match at STARDOM All Star Grand Queendom on April 23rd will be her last in Japan before returning to the United States. However, it was recently reported that negotiations were underway regarding one more match.
Speaking in a new interview with Justin Barrasso for Sports Illustrated, Mone hit back at the speculation, insisting that Japan is her “new home.”
“The rumors are so far from the truth,” she said. “If it’s not coming from me or my voice, then how does anyone else know my business? None of it is true unless it is coming from me. It’s just a reminder that I’m a conversation starter. This is my new home.
I’m embracing the way of life. I’m riding the train, I’m eating the food. I’m not here for a quick second. I have a kitchen in my apartment, but when I go out, I’m eating yakiniku. It’s this amazing barbecue. I’ve been enjoying everything. The pancakes are amazing, too. This has become my second home. And I’m committed to staying here to make history.”
Mercedes Mone Staying In Japan
This emphatic response from Mercedes Mone comes just days after she posted on her Instagram Stories that she is “definitely moving full time to Japan.”
Since leaving WWE, the star has been continually linked with a move to AEW. In fact, Mone herself recently hinted that an appearance at AEW x NJPW could be a possibility, while Saraya named her as a dream opponent for All In at Wembley Stadium.