Mercedes Moné, formerly known as Sasha Banks, said that the hometown crowd of Boston made her feel “so cool,” akin to Steve Austin.
Having debuted for All Elite Wrestling the previous Wednesday, Moné received a warm welcome from fans. Reflecting on the experience with Variety, she described it as “unbelievable.”
Moné stole the spotlight during the Big Business edition of AEW Dynamite with her debut. As she entered the TD Garden, she was greeted with loud cheers and chants of “CEO.”
“I still haven’t gotten to take everything in yet, but my heart was just pounding out of my chest. Once I heard the beat drop in the music and the ‘CEO’ chants were on the screens, and then they revealed the ‘Mercedes Moné’ name, that eruption was so electric. I felt so cool. I felt like Stone Cold Steve Austin, when fans just lift up all their signs and stand up with their arms raised. I felt so cool. It was the best feeling in the world.”
It's official: @MercedesVarnado is ALL ELITE!
Welcome to @AEW, Mercedes Moné!#AEWDynamite on @TBSNetwork#AEWBigBusiness pic.twitter.com/Jf1XQ7J8PE
— Tony Khan (@TonyKhan) March 14, 2024
Moné expressed gratitude to fans for their support over the past two years while she was recovering from an ankle injury. Visibly emotional, she conveyed how much their support meant to her, and the importance of wrestling in her life.
Mercedes Moné is here!
Watch #AEWDynamite #AEWBigBusiness LIVE on TBS!@MercedesVarnado pic.twitter.com/qhX8MqPmpa
— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) March 14, 2024
She also added that is looking forward to wrestling with the women in the Dynamite locker room, particularly mentioning Willow Nightingale, with whom Moné has unfinished business. The two competed against each other in the final of the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship tournament, after which Moné sustained an injury. Speaking to Variety, she also mentioned her openness to facing someone she has never encountered in the ring before.
“I always feel like it’s best when I’ve never been in the ring with an opponent before just so we can feed off that the natural chemistry and the magic instantly. But to tie up with Willow again when we only had like half a match, to tie it up with Saraya again would be amazing. I’ve never gotten to wrestle [AEW Women’s Champion] Toni Storm. I’ve never wrestled Skye Blue, or Julia Hart. The talent is just endless. I’m looking forward to facing everybody.”
