Tony Khan has discussed whether or not Mercedes Mone is cleared to compete.
Debuting at the Big Business special on March 13th, Mercedes Mone rounded out a trilogy of major free agent signings for AEW. Cutting a promo at the start of the special and hitting her finisher in the final segment of the show, fans were excited to see what The CEO would do in the company.
As the weeks went on Mone would appear in backstage segments and on commentary but still was yet to have a match. With The CEO eventually announcing that she would challenge for the TBS Championship at Double or Nothing, which will likely be her first match for the promotion, concerns have been raised in regards to whether or not Mone is fully recovered from her ankle injury.
Speaking at the press conference following AEW Dynasty, Tony Khan was asked if Mone had been cleared to compete. Khan would not reveal if Mone would be able to hypothetically compete right now but did say that she will be available for the next pay-per-view:
“She’ll be cleared at Double or Nothing for the singles match. And that was a big part of this, knowing that it’s been a major road for return from the injury. [At] Big Business, we did a great crowd in Boston, it was a great crowd last year in Boston, we drew even more fans this year for Big Business and really stepped up and I think her presence was a huge part of that. And it was great to have that moment, but also, to start building up some real excitement around the championships and real excitement around AEW.
To have a top free agent arrive on the big stage like that on Dynamite in the TD Garden in Mercedes’ hometown, got a great reaction, I think it’s built a lot of excitement. Now we know Mercedes is going to challenge for the TBS title, like Willow said she’s going to be an active champion.”
At AEW Dynasty, Willow Nightingale defeated Julia Hart to become the new TBS Champion, setting up a rematch between Nightingale and Mone at Double or Nothing. Khan continued to discuss Mone and hyped up the Double or Nothing match:
“So we do know Mercedes has been out about a year when she wrestles at Double or Nothing. It will be a full year since she last wrestled and it was against Willow, which she blames Willow for causing this injury. And really, they’ve been butting heads since Mercedes arrived. But there are a lot of variables here. We’ve seen backstage attacks, and assailants, and Willow said she’s gonna be a fighting champion. So there could be more matches before but we know Mercedes will be cleared for later in May about just over a month from now at Double or Nothing. I’m really excited for it.
For Mercedes to come here, she’s one of the most decorated champions in wrestling. I think for her to walk in, somebody with one of the best resumes of any champion in the sport to come in and challenge it makes a lot of sense. For the TBS and the TNT Championships, we’ve had outsiders come in. It’s a little different than the top five rankings criteria we’ve had around the World Championship with the World Tag Team Championship or the World Women’s Championship.
I definitely think what we’ve seen with Mercedes in her career, she’s one of the best big match spotlight wrestlers in the sport. And when she was wrestling Willow last time, the fact is, she got hurt. She’s been out now a year going into this match and Willow has really stepped up in that time Willow is the TBS champion.
She’s going to be an active TBS Champion if she is still the TBS Champion going into Double or Nothing, she’ll go in not only as the TBS Champion but the reigning Owen Hart Foundation Cup winner. And the last person to beat, last person to wrestle and really the person to put Mercedes Mone on the sidelines all the above. So a lot of excitement around the match, so she will be cleared for Double or Nothing for sure.”
Tony Khan Addresses AEW Media Rights
On top of the multiple free agent signings, 2024 will be a major year for AEW as the current media rights deal is up for renewal very shortly. Prior to the pay-per-view, Tony Khan stated that he is anticipating a major change when the next deal is finalised.
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