Jennifer Pepperman’s arrival in AEW may have come as a surprise to many, but not to her former employers at WWE. 

Pepperman’s status with AEW was confirmed earlier this week, in a quick turnaround for the former WWE Senior Writer. She parted ways with WWE less than a week ago. It was said that Pepperman, who joined WWE in 2017, left voluntarily and her departure was not a release. Pepperman was the longest-tenured female member of the creative team with WWE.

Not a Surprise

Those in WWE expected Pepperman to join AEW when she left, according to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Pepperman is known to be close with Mercedes Mone, who is expected to join AEW at the upcoming Big Business edition of Dynamite in Boston, MA. 

SE Scoops’ Aaron Varble previously reported that Pepperman’s exit from WWE was unexpected but that many in the company had the feeling she had work already lined up. 

I was told that Jennifer Pepperman's departure from WWE was "totally unexpected" to those backstage. She will be missed too.

There is a belief that she already has a job lined up elsewhere.

— Aaron (@AaronVarble) February 15, 2024

Responsibilities in AEW

Pepperman has been announced as AEW’s new Vice President of Content Development. In the Wrestling Observer Newsletter however, it is suggested that she could also serve as a “personal writer” for Mone when she debuts for the promotion. 

Meltzer compared this to Brian Gewirtz who is the personal writer for The Rock. Gewirtz spent years with WWE and worked on The Rock’s promos before joining the Brahma Bull’s Seven Bucks Productions movie studio. When The Rock has appeared for WWE in the years since making it big in Hollywood, Gewirtz has served as his personal writer. 

Welcome to SEScoops’ Daily Drop – a rundown of the top stories in pro wrestling all in one place.

Our mission is to provide our readers with the most important and interesting news from WWE, AEW and more that’s timely, informative and engaging. The Daily Drop is a destination where you can get a snapshot of the top stories in wrestling.

• WrestleMania 40 COUNTDOWN: 48 days away

Here’s the Daily Drop news report for Wednesday, February 18, 2024:

WWE

– SEScoops was able to report who had a hand in The Rock and Roman Reigns’ SmackDown promo this week.

– LA Knight is being considered for a big title match at WrestleMania 40.

– Fightful Select provided a new extensive report about Janel Grant’s lawsuit against Vince McMahon, John Laurinaitis and WWE.

– Velveteen Dream ended his long hiatus from the ring by re-appearing at an indie wrestling show.

YO ITS PATRICK CLARK (FKA velveteen dream) WTF pic.twitter.com/mkKMxXlOtO

— Za’Nief Washington (@zanief_) February 18, 2024

– Nic Nemeth revealed that he actually requested his WWE release several times before the company finally fired him in September 2023.

AEW

– Rush made his current visa situation very clear, as there was a previous report on the matter.

– There was another injury for the AEW roster 

– Ric Flair, who is now associated with Tony Khan’s company, discussed the fact that skeletons in his closet ended his political aspirations.

– New information is out that revealed the ballpark of how much Mercedes Mone asked for from WWE. She reportedly inked a deal with AEW and will make her debut during the March 13th episode of AEW Collision in Boston.

What’s Next

– WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth takes place next Saturday, February 24.

– AEW Dynamite: Big Business is coming to Boston’s TD Garden on March 13th.

– AEW Revolution takes place the following weekend on Sunday, March 3.

– WWE NXT Stand & Deliver will be on the afternoon of April 6th, right before the first night of WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia.

– WrestleMania XL will take place on April 6th and 7th at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, airing as a two-part event.

– Backlash France will be held on May 4th at LDLC Arena in Décines-Charpieu, France.

– WWE NXT Battleground is scheduled for May 26th at Enmarket Arena in Savannah, Georgia, and will be available exclusively on the WWE Network and Peacock.

– WWE Money in the Bank will take place on July 6th at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, followed by WWE NXT Heatwave on July 7th at the same venue.

– WWE Bash In Berlin is set for August 31st at Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin, Germany.

AEW is expected to bring in former WWE Superstar Mercedes Mone. A big date is set for Boston, and many are expecting her to show up on Collision. WWE was in the game for her, but it was already reported that they hit a financial roadblock. That being said, it seems that Mone wasn’t even asking for more than someone on the top of the Women’s Division is making.

Mercedes Mone’s Big Pay Day

AEW has a ton of money to throw around, but that hasn’t kept everyone around. Tony Khan admitted that he offered Jade Cargill more than she asked for to stay in AEW, but she is now a WWE Superstar. Mercedes Mone saw that money on the table and she took it.

Tony Khan has a lot of money to spend on AEW contracts. He has a reported net worth of $1 billion. His father, Shahid Khan, has a net worth of 11.7 billion. Mercedes Mone made it clear that she’s going to where the money is, and AEW was able to offer more.

During Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer noted that Mercedes Mone asked WWE for a lot of money, but it wasn’t more than the top female Superstar is getting. One would assume that he is talking about Charlotte Flair and Becky Lynch, because they have the top paychecks in the women’s division.

“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.”

AEW outbid WWE, and they’re getting The Boss. It was then stated that what this tells us is that when AEW is able to outbid for Mone, that they may be losing out on the deal financially. That being said, it’s not enough to worry the company, because “we would see it, because there would be talent cut.”

What’s Next

It is very much expected that Mercedes Mone will debut for AEW at their March 13th episode of Dynamite, that Big Business show in Boston’s TD Garden will provide the former Sasha Banks with a grand entrance for AEW in her hometown.

On a totally unrelated note, but I couldn’t resist from including this, AEW also rolled out a similar red carpet for CM Punk’s debut. They booked a large arena in Chicago without announcing Punk’s debut. They simply strongly alluded to it by naming that episode of Rampage “The First Dance.”

Of course, CM Punk and Sasha Banks both walked out of WWE. At this point, Punk is back in WWE, albeit he’s on the shelf due to an untimely injury. Now, it’s Mercedes Mone’s time to get a spotlight in AEW. 

Welcome to SEScoops’ Daily Drop – a rundown of the top stories in pro wrestling all in one place.

Our mission is to provide our readers with the most important and interesting news from WWE, AEW and more that’s timely, informative and engaging. The Daily Drop is a destination where you can get a snapshot of the top stories in wrestling.

• WrestleMania 40 COUNTDOWN: 49 days away

Here’s the Daily Drop news report for Wednesday, February 17, 2024:

WWE

– The Rock officially joined The Bloodline during the February 16th episode of WWE SmackDown. That closing segment of the show did not feature any match getting booked for WrestleMania 40, but they are well on their way to cementing a match.

– WWE taped their February 23rd episode of SmackDown after this week’s show. You can check out all of those spoilers here.

– Shotzi is still pretty devastated over her serious knee injury. Her NXT Women’s Title match against Lyra Valkyria ended in terrible fashion with an injury, and she will likely miss a lot of time.

– After a lot of speculation about where he would land, Bron Breakker finally signed with WWE’s SmackDown brand. He is still 1/2 of the NXT Tag Team Champions, but he did not have his title with him during the 2/16 episode of the blue brand.

AEW

– Mercedes Mone is hyping an upcoming fight, and this is right in time for the hype before AEW’s Big Business special episode of Dynamite on March 13. The TD Garden will likely see the former Sasha Banks make her debut for the company during that show.

– Tony Khan announced that RVD will return to AEW for their 4/20 episode of Collision.

TNA & Everywhere Else

– Scott D’Amore is out, and TNA Talent aren’t happy. They reportedly banded together and signed a big letter to express how unhappy they are. 

– There is some contradicting information on who is in charge of TNA creative now. Dave Meltzer reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Tommy Dreamer has the book now, but Tommy Dreamer has denied this.

– PW Insider later clarified this report, and it was reported that there is a different man making the calls for creative. 

Coming Up

– WWE Elimination Chamber: Perth takes place next Saturday, February 24.

– AEW Dynamite: Big Business is coming to Boston’s TD Garden on March 13th.

– AEW Revolution takes place the following weekend on Sunday, March 3.

– WWE NXT Stand & Deliver will be on the afternoon of April 6th, right before the first night of WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia. 

– WrestleMania XL will take place on April 6th and 7th at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, airing as a two-part event.

– Backlash France will be held on May 4th at LDLC Arena in Décines-Charpieu, France.

– WWE NXT Battleground is scheduled for May 26th at Enmarket Arena in Savannah, Georgia, and will be available exclusively on the WWE Network and Peacock. 

– WWE Money in the Bank will take place on July 6th at Scotiabank Arena in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, followed by WWE NXT Heatwave on July 7th at the same venue.

– WWE Bash In Berlin is set for August 31st at Mercedes-Benz Arena in Berlin, Germany.

Last week, AEW President Tony Khan announced that the company will be heading back to Boston, Massachusetts on March 13 for a special edition of AEW Dynamite.  According to Khan, the show which is titled Big Business, will be “one of the most important nights in AEW.” 

While AEW has yet to reveal further details on the event, recent reports have indicated that “The CEO” Mercedes Mone (formerly known as WWE’s Sasha Banks) is expected to make her AEW debut at Big Business. AEW previously showed Mone in attendance for their August 2023 All In event in London.

Athena Wants “The CEO” 

Given these recent developments, Sunday Night’s Main Event asked the ROH Women’s Champion about the possibility of Mercedes Mone becoming ‘All Elite’ in her hometown of Boston, MA in just a matter of weeks.

Athena is “immensely curious” to see if Mercedes Mone arrives at Big Business. She said she and the entire AEW locker room are hoping it happens, but Tony Khan is keeping things close to the vest and nobody knows for sure.

Ember Moon and Sasha Banks crossed paths a few times in WWE, but they never squared off one-one-one. She considers Mercedes Mone a dream opponent and may finally get her wish later this year in an AEW ring.

“I might finally get one of my dream matches,” she said. “That is one of the coolest things because I’ve shared the ring with this person for many times, and whether we were on the same tag team at live events in WWE, to us getting to briefly touch at Money in the Bank, to us briefly touching in this awesome fatal four-way we had on Raw, I just wish the world for this person because she is someone that I think is one of the absolute best wrestlers in the world.” 

Stacking Up

Athena considers herself to be “immensely” humble, despite the talent and work ethic its taken to establish herself as one of the top wrestlers in the world. As much as she’s accomplished, she’s eager to see how she’d stack up against someone she’s looked up to for so long. Aside from that, she wants to see what they can create together. 

“I’m a firm believer of, when you have two dedicated women, to the cause, it’s going to be money and it’s going to be magic. I just have to have it. I don’t care if I have to go to Japan for it. I just have to get it one time.”

Athena is far from the only AEW wrestler who is eager to mix it up with Mercedes Mone. As you can read about below, former AEW Women’s Champion Britt Baker is also on that list. Mone, Baker, WWE Superstars Bayley and Naomi were all spotted together at the Super Bowl this past weekend in Las Vegas.

H/T to Fightful for the transcription

The WWE Superstars shined bright at Super Bowl LVIII which saw the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers face off in the Big Game.

Super Bowl LVIII is taking place at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas, Nevada, which WWE fans will recognize as the host of SummerSlam 2021. The game went into overtime after the four quarters resulted in a 19-19 tie. 

WWE Superstars at the Super Bowl

Allegiant Stadium was packed with football fans and there were several WWE Superstars who made their presence felt. WWE Hall of Famer Rey Mysterio had a great view of the game in support of the 49ers. 

Rey Mysterio is repping @49ers!

? @WWEEspanol pic.twitter.com/JWNeTlZE8J

— WWE on FOX (@WWEonFOX) February 12, 2024

The 49ers also had Bayley and Naomi on their side. The pair were also joined by Mercedes Mone, who’s expected to debut for AEW very soon. 

Naomi, Mercedes Mone, and Bayley supporting the 49ers at the Super Bowl ? pic.twitter.com/YX5Eq9O9Ka

— WrestlingWorldCC (@WrestlingWCC) February 12, 2024

The trio was also joined by Mone’s husband Jimmy Uso. 

Mone also shared her own excitement outside Allegiant Stadium. 

LFG ? #LVIII #UsherBowl pic.twitter.com/gXBZzIZm9W

— Mercedes Moné Varnado (@MercedesVarnado) February 11, 2024

It wasn’t just WWE Superstars who were at the Big Game. On social media, AEW’s Britt Baker was able to share a selfie with Bayley. 

Wrestling & the Super Bowl

Several names from the world of wrestling competed in the Super Bowl. Monty Brown played in the Big Game before he’d make his mark in WWE as Marcus Cor Von. Raw commentator, Pat McAfee played in Super Bowl XLIV in his rookie year but was unsuccessful. Rob Gronkowski is better known for his NFL success but was briefly a WWE Superstar and former 24/7 Champion. 

Years before his days as a wrestling World Champion, Big Van Vader played for the LA Rams but lost to the Steelers. Steve ‘Mongo’ McMichael, who was recently announced for Football’s Hall of Fame, both won in the Super Bowl and is a former WCW United States Champion. 

The sky’s the limit for Mercedes Mone, and those skies could be over the arena of an AEW event if recent buzz is to be believed. 

On this week’s AEW Dynamite, Tony Khan confirmed that the March 13, episode of Dynamite will emanate from the TD Garden in Boston, MA. Both the location and the show’s name of ‘Big Business’ has led to buzz that the show will mark the AEW arrival of Mercedes Mone. 

Known as ‘The Boss’ in WWE and ‘The CEO’ of women in New Japan, Mone has seemingly already been signed to AEW and has been on AEW’s payroll since early January.  The former WWE Superstar appeared in the crowd at AEW All In last year and Tony Khan has often spoken positively about Mone. 

The Sky’s The Limit for Mercedes Mone 

Quickly after Khan’s announcement, Mone took to Twitter to share the following message: 

I remember when 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
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

— Mercedes Moné Varnado (@MercedesVarnado) February 8, 2024

Fans may recognise this as lyrics’s the Mone’s WWE theme song ‘Sky’s The Limit’ during her tenure as Sasha Banks. Judging by the comments, many took this as another sign that Mone is soon going to be confirmed as All Elite., 

Mone has been out of action since May of last year when she suffered an ankle injury in a match with AEW/ROH’s Willow Nightingale. This injury led to an audible being called and Willow defeating Mone to become the first NJPW Strong Women’s Champion. 

Tony Khan confirmed during the February 7th episode of AEW Dynamite that Boston’s TD Garden is getting a special episode of the company’s flagship show in March. Mercedes Mone is expected to debut in Bean Town, and there is a lot more to unpack.

How Mercedes Mone Ended Up In AEW

It was previously reported at the end of December that WWE was in talks with Mercedes Mone, but those discussions ended without an agreement, similar to previous negotiations with AEW. It was said that they hit a financial roadblock. 

However, talks with AEW carried on, and Sean Ross Sapp reported on Fightful Select that sources indicate that an agreement was reached around that time. This likely explains why WWE openly acknowledged the conclusion of their talks.

There was consideration of announcing or debuting Mercedes, but ultimately, the decision was made to postpone any such plans for the TD Garden event. Several possibilities were reportedly discussed, but the announcement of the February 7 show and the March 13 show date had been finalized for several weeks.

The report also noted that it is believed that Mercedes has been on AEW’s payroll since January. 

The company announced a TD Garden episode of Dynamite, specially titled Big Business which is to feature Mercedes, who has been on the company’s payroll since at least early January.

Mercedes Mone Needed To Recover

Mercedes hurt her ankle during a NJPW Strong Women’s Title match against Willow Nightingale. That match put her on the shelf for a long time, and it stalled a lot of momentum. 

When Fightful reportedly inquired about rumors suggesting Mercedes could be featured as early as New York’s Grand Slam show, sources indicated that Mercedes was far from being ring-ready at that time. This information was corroborated by NJPW sources, who indicated that Mercedes was not cleared and had not resumed training. 

They also mentioned that the footage Mercedes posted was older. Interestingly, New Japan sources expressed an expectation to continue working with Mercedes, as it had been discussed internally.

Tony Khan promised a big announcement during the February 7th episode of AEW Dynamite. He did just that, as they are taking Big Business to Boston.

Tony Khan’s Big Announcement

During AEW Dynamite this week, Tony Khan appeared to make a big announcement. He revealed an upcoming episode of AEW Dynamite will be a massive night for his company.

Tony Khan revealed that AEW Dynamite is going to Boston on March 13. The night will have a special name, as they will call it Big Business.

“Big Business is going to be one of the most important nights in AEW and a night the entire pro wrestling industry is going to remember.”

As announced by #AEW CEO & GM @TonyKhan, #AEW returns to @TDGarden in Boston, MA on Wednesday, March 13th, with #AEWDynamite: BIG BUSINESS on @TBSNetwork!
Tickets go on sale THIS SATURDAY 2/10 at 10am ET at https://t.co/UN1cNj1kQq! pic.twitter.com/xWmp2CE93a

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) February 8, 2024

What’s Next

It was previously reported that Boston’s TD Garden arena is set to host AEW Dynamite on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. This came before Tony Khan announced a date. Ticketmaster already established a page for the general public on-sale, scheduled for Saturday, February 10 at 10 am EST. Additionally, the TD Garden has created a Facebook Event for Dynamite on March 13.

Of course, Mercedes Mone is from Boston. So, her arrival in the company is almost a guarantee for that big night. SE Scoops will have more updates as they are available. 

Boston’s TD Garden arena will host AEW Dynamite on Wednesday, March 13, 2024. 

AEW has yet to announce this date, but Ticketmaster has already has a page set up for the general public on-sale, scheduled for this Saturday, February 10 at 10am EST. The TD Garden also created a Facebook Event for Dynamite on 3/13.

AEW President Tony Khan is set to make one of his big announcements tonight on Dynamite. This announcement was reportedly set to be made a few weeks ago, but was reportedly delayed for a very good reason.

TD Garden is one of the largest NBA arenas in the country. It has a maximum capacity north of 19,000. 

AEW first ran the arena last summer. According to Wrestletix, 8,945 tickets were distributed for Dynamite: Blood & Guts on July 19, 2023.

Ticket sales have been lukewarm in recent months, so they’ll need a major attraction to make this show a success on short notice. If anything spikes interest with wrestling fans, it’s a debut.

There’s several A-list free agent ready to make an impact, including Kazuchika Okada, Mustafa Ali, Mandy Rose, Ronda Rousey, Alex Hammerstone, Jacob Fatu and more.

Mercedes Mone AEW Debut

There’s also Boston’s own Mercedes Moné. The wrestler, actor and entrepreneur formerly known as Sasha Banks is right up there with the most valuable free agents out there, along with Okada. 

WWE and AEW executives have publicly expressed interest in working with Moné, who enjoys unprecedented leverage in her negotiations (thanks, competition!). We know she’s had talks with both companies.

Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful and Andrew Zarian of the Mat Men Podcast, two of wrestling media’s most reliable insiders, have reported that Moné is AEW-bound.

Based on all of these factors, it does appear that Mercedes Moné’s AEW Debut will take place on the March 13 Dynamite from Boston. 

We’ll have coverage of Tony Khan’s latest big announcement here at SEScoops later tonight.

Oh it feels good when executing a vision.

— Mercedes Moné Varnado (@MercedesVarnado) February 6, 2024

WWE has their eyes on the entire pro wrestling world, but they aren’t bringing everyone in who is on the free agent list. Although there were reports that Kamille is going to WWE, it appears that she is closer to becoming All Elite.

AEW May Snipe Kamille From WWE

WWE seems to have missed the opportunity to sign Kamille, who is a notable talent that might be heading to All Elite Wrestling as they aim to enhance their women’s division. This comes as a bit of a surprise, because reports were that she was WWE bound.

Kamille was a regular in the NWA since October 2018. She was expected to join WWE and possibly work in NXT. However, she was spotted backstage at the January 18th Dynamite event, sparking speculation about a potential move to AEW. 

According to PW Insider, the former NWA Women’s Champion is no longer anticipated to join WWE, despite past offers for an NXT deal. Discussions seem to have stalled, and she is reportedly engaged in “deep discussions” with AEW.

Why Kamille May Pick AEW over WWE

A move to AEW for her is seen as a more promising destination for Kamille. Joining AEW could also align with her ambition to pursue acting. It would also give her more freedom on her schedule.

We have no idea how much more Tony Khan is offering someone like Kamille to come in. Mercedes Mone is also rumored to be making her AEW debut very soon, and Khan was able to make that happen after WWE’s talks with the former Sasha Banks hit a financial roadblock.

SE Scoops will have continued coverage of this story. Keep checking back for more updates as they are made available. 

The pro wrestling world has a few interesting free agents, but Mercedes Mone may have already quietly signed a deal with AEW. It was previously reported that some within the company believe a deal is done. It is all about waiting for the right time to make the big announcement.

Mercedes Mone’s Next Move

Tony Khan has an announcement planned for next week’s AEW Dynamite. Many are under the assumption that he will reveal a big signing, possibly Mone.

Mercedes Mone and WWE were reportedly discussing a deal, but they ran into a financial roadblock. Now, all signs point to the former Sasha Banks debuting for AEW.

Dave Meltzer noted in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that AEW actually planned to drop their first tease for Mercedes Mone’s debut this week. That was pushed back due to the Vince McMahon news that dominated the news cycle.

The plan is to make a big deal out of Mercedes Mone debut. At one point the plan was to announce it this past weekend, or at least tease it, but it was moved back. The reason given was not wanting to announce it this week given all the far bigger news that came out and that people wouldn’t be focusing on it at all

What’s Next

AEW has one chance to debut Mercedes Mone, and they want to make it count. She could do a lot of good for Tony Khan’s company, but they need to make sure that everything is considered before making that first big move.

It will be interesting to see how AEW inserts Mone into their women’s division. Currently, Toni Storm and Deonna Purrazzo are engaged in a feud for their Women’s World Title. 

SE Scoops will have more updates on Mercedes Mone’s status with AEW. It appears that she is on her way, but Tony Khan needed to change his plan a bit due to the current circumstances.

Mercedes Mone is not returning to WWE by the look of things, but it’s only a matter of time before fans see her perform again. The plans are already underway for that to happen for the former Sasha Banks.

Current Expectation for Mercedes Mone

Sean Ross Sapp shed more light on the Mercedes Mone issue on Fightful Select. It was reported that the current expectation is that Mone will show up in AEW next month.

AEW President Tony Khan sparked speculation on Wednesday with the announcement of an upcoming major announcement on the February 7 episode of AEW Dynamite. While the details remain unconfirmed, there are implications that it might be linked to the anticipated presence of Mercedes Mone in AEW. However, it is not explicitly stated that her signing will be part of the rumored announcement.

Despite the lack of official confirmation, information from various sources within the company and close to Mercedes suggests that the tentative plan in All Elite Wrestling is for her to make a physical appearance in March, likely after the Revolution PPV. The exact date of her potential in-ring debut remains undisclosed.

However, what we have heard from numerous talent is that they’ve been told within the company and from those close to Mercedes that the working plan in All Elite Wrestling is for her to physically appear for the company in March, likely after the Revolution PPV. We have not been told when she could make an in-ring wrestling debut for the company.

Mercedes Mone May Already Be Signed To AEW

Contrary to fan speculation, it was clarified that Mone’s signing or debut was not intended to be announced at Collision over the past weekend.

According to WWE sources, as of December 29, WWE acknowledged they were no longer in contention for Mercedes. It was also suggested that she might not have been available for the Royal Rumble performance anyway.

Both WWE sources and AEW talent reportedly share the belief that Mercedes has been signed with AEW for several weeks. However, AEW has not officially confirmed any details related to this story.

SE Scoops will keep an eye on this story for further developments. Mercedes Mone’s time away from the ring isn’t going to last much longer at this point.

WWE lost Mercedes Mone and Trinity when they walked out of the company in May 2022. Since then, Naomi made her return to WWE during the 2024 Royal Rumble after a successful stint in TNA. Sasha Banks, on the other hand, has not returned. Now, the latest update casts even more doubt that will happen.

Update On Mercedes Mone’s Future

Mercedes Mone is no longer under any pro wrestling contract. That brought up big rumors about her WWE return, but it appears she is expected to appear elsewhere now.

There have been many developments for Mone over the past few months. Her NJPW contract expired, and she was free to discuss her future with another company, and that included WWE.

Although Mone and WWE were talking about her return, they seem to have hit a roadblock. Now, it is no longer anticipated that fans will see her WWE comeback, because another company is expected to snag her.

To provide an update on the situation, PW Insider has reported that Mercedes Mone will be back working in pro wrestling by March and “not for WWE.” This may disappoint some WWE fans, but at least she will be seen soon enough.

Although it was not explicitly stated, the current thought is that Mercedes Mone is going to end up in AEW. That debut has obviously not happened yet. AEW Revolution will take place on March 3rd in the Greensboro Coliseum. The event will see Sting’s final match, but it may also include Mercedes Mone’s debut for the company if this report lines up.

What’s Next For Mercedes Mone

Mercedes Mone just registered trademarks for, what could be, a clothing line. She has other options in the entertainment industry, as her acting career could see more credits than the Mandalorian down the line.

Bayley may believe that her story with Mercedes Mone will live on forever, but the former Sasha Banks is not making a return to WWE at this point. It will be interesting to see if her road brings her back to the company, but that isn’t happening this time around. 

AEW is well aware of the free agent market right now, and Tony Khan intends to remain a player for big contracts. It appears that All Elite Wrestling is very close to locking down two deals that could be incredibly important for the company’s future.

AEW’s Reported New Signings

In terms of Kazuchika Okada and Mercedes Mone, the Wrestling Observer Newsletter reported that there is a belief that both will start with AEW soon. Mone is anticipated to have a substantial debut, with an announcement expected shortly. Despite negotiating with WWE, her return to AEW was anticipated for several months, even predating her appearance at Wembley, where she had to appear while seated due to her still-recovering ankle injury. However, until the contract is finalized, nothing is definite due to significant differences in financial terms.

As for Okada, the latest information indicates that he has not yet made a final decision. Speculation among various individuals ranges from hopefulness to a degree of confidence regarding his potential arrival. If Okada were to sign, the probable start would align with the Greensboro show, with his final New Japan date set for February 24th. In the event of a WWE signing, it could potentially be postponed until WrestleMania.

Regarding Kazuchika Okada and Mercedes Mone, the belief from this side is that both will be starting soon. Mone was doing acting work, but there is talk her debut will be played up extremely big and that announcement could be soon. She has been back training to return to the ring. 

What’s Next

It’s noteworthy that Tony Khan has expressed particular enthusiasm for 2024, anticipating new signings and returns in the coming months, including MJF, Adam Cole, Kenny Omega, Bandido, Rey Fenix, Pac, and Britt Baker. As of this writing, MJF is still believed by many within the business to be under AEW contract.

Tony Khan has some big plans for 2024, and he is very excited about the possibilities. They’ve brought big names into AEW before, but signing Okada and the former Sasha Banks to deals would be a great way to start this year in the Land of All Elite.

Mercedes Mone is currently a woman without a contract, but some in WWE believe a Royal Rumble return could happen. 

Mone debuted for NJPW at Wrestle Kingdom 18 in January 2023, but her contract has since expired. While there were talks with WWE, the two sides could not come to terms over money. 

A WWE Royal Rumble Surprise? 

With her talks with WWE fizzling out, many suspect that Mone will join AEW soon enough. There is an expectation within AEW that she’ll be joining after finishing up some acting commitments this month, the Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports. 

With that said, nothing has been made certain at this time. The Observer adds that some in WWE believe there’s still a shot she could make a surprise return in the upcoming Women’s Royal Rumble match. One name who’d certainly want to see Mone make a return is Bayley, her friend and former tag-team partner. The Damage CTRL member recently spoke at length about her deep connection to Mone.

Mercedes Mone in the Royal Rumble

Mone competed as Sasha Banks in two Women’s Royal Rumble matches. The Boss has the distinction of being the first entrant in the first Women’s Rumble in 2018, and would also enter at #1 in 2022. Mone has spent a total 1:04:30 in Royal Rumble matches and has a total of five eliminations to her name. 

Royal Rumble 2024

Here is the card for the WWE 2024 Royal Rumble PLE as it currently stands: 

• Men’s Royal Rumble match (Confirmed entrants: Cody Rhodes, CM Punk, Shinsuke Nakamura, Bobby Lashley, Drew McIntyre, GUNTHER. 

• Women’s Royal Rumble match (Confirmed entrants: Bayley, Becky Lynch, Bianca Belair, Nia Jax)

• Roman Reigns (c) (with Paul Heyman) vs. Randy Orton vs. AJ Styles vs. LA Knight (Undisputed WWE Universal Championship) 

• Logan Paul (c) vs. Kevin Owens (WWE United States Championship)

Who should fans expect to see return at the Royal Rumble… 

Mercedes Mone and WWE were speaking during a time, but that came to a financial roadblock. Now, all indications point toward an AEW debut very soon. Still, Bayley still believes her story with The Boss will last forever.

Bayley Believes She Will Face Mercedes Mone Again

Bayley, who once admitted that she begs Mercedes Mone to make a WWE return at every chance she has, recently spoke about her old friend, the former Sasha Banks. As Bayley sees it, there is still story left to be written for the two.

While speaking with Sports Illustrated, Bayley admitted that it is their destiny to face each other again. She firmly stated that their story has the ability to live on forever in pro wrestling lore. 

“We’ll always be destined for one more match. We’re going to live on forever because of that match, and it’s something we can carry on forever.”

What Happened To Sasha Banks’ WWE Return 

WWE and Mercedes Mone were talking about a return, but then those negotiations hit a roadblock. Sean Ross Sapp reported on Fightful Select at the time that, although the dialogue was friendly, the process was ended as WWE walked away from the deal. 

Top free agent Mercedes Mone aka Sasha Banks and WWE had been engaged in conversations to possibly bring her back to the company. However, WWE sources stated to Fightful Friday night that the two sides are no longer in active negotiations regarding a return. The two sides had recently been engaged in conversations about a return. We’re told the dialogue was friendly, the back and forth failed to progress, and WWE sources claim that their side walked as a result of it.

Bayley & Mercedes Mone’s Current Relationship

Bayley and Mercedes Mone are still close, and the two old friends are still in close contact. They were both spotted watching Trinity at TNA Wrestling’s Hard to Kill event. 

There may be a spot open for Mercedes on the Damage CTRL roster, because that stable apparently can’t get enough members. All signs point toward Mone’s eventual AEW debut, so a WWE return may have to wait.

Trinity Fatu battled Jordynne Grace at TNA Wrestling’s Hard to Kill event. The pro wrestling world was watching, and she had two very special friends who were also there to see her big match.

Mercedes Mone & Bayley Spotted At TNA Wrestling Hard To Kill

TNA Wrestling hosted their Hard to Kill event on pay-per-view. The event featured noteworthy moments, such as Trinity Fatu’s potential final match in the company. 

It was previously reported that the current thought is that Naomi will make her return to WWE. So, Fatu lost her Knockouts Title to Jordynne Grace, marking her 3rd reign with the title.

During Hard to Kill, Mercedes Mone and Bayley were seen behind the French announce team’s table, witnessing the matchup between Trinity and Jordynne Grace. They were not shown on screen during the actual pay-per-view event.

Both Bayley and Money were decked out in shades, and beanies, but they were still spotted. It was obvious who they were, but the two stayed off the radar, because they were not there to be a focus.

Mercedes and Bayley showing support to Trinity. Love to see it pic.twitter.com/TDdddlsSWs

— Roman Reigns SZN ? (@reigns_era) January 14, 2024

What’s Next For Mercedes Mone

As of right now, Mercedes Mone appears to be heading to AEW, but she has not debuted for the company yet. It was reported that talks with WWE stalled, because they were far apart with money. 

Even if Mercedes Mone and Bayley end up in different wrestling companies, they are still very close. Their presence at Hard to Kill also proves that Naomi has their support. 

one thing about Bayley , Trin & Mercedes they gonna show up to support each other pic.twitter.com/wN5Dn1pbRt

— aliyah ? (@mercedesbnkss) January 14, 2024

Mercedes Mone is anticipated to make her debut on AEW television in the near future, according to sources within the company. The big question is when that debut will take place.

Mercedes Mone May Become All Elite

Dave Meltzer emphasized that the certainty of her appearance is contingent on the formalization of a signed contract. AEW has been known to have stars sign contracts just before their debut, so there is no word on whether anything official has been signed. 

During Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer noted that there were no indications or teases during the last night’s show regarding Mercedes Mone’s potential appearance in Jacksonville. Despite this, AEW is reportedly expecting her to start her television journey soon. 

On last night’s show there were no teases for Mercedes Mone or for her appearing Wednesday in Jacksonville. What I know is that AEW does expect her to start on TV soon, but as noted, until it happens and the contract itself is signed, I wouldn’t consider anything 100 percent.

One would think there would be some sort of a tease of a surprise if she was to appear, since that’s been the case with most major signings. But Sting’s original debut in Jacksonville came out of nowhere.

Mercedes Mone’s Expected AEW Arrival

Dave Meltzer previously noted in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that, “WWE and AEW have clearly both been talking with her. Obviously this has gone on with AEW for months, if not a year, and she’s never signed yet. There was a lot of talk within wrestling of her on this week’s Dynamite, which she wasn’t on.”

He continued to say, “We do know that the expectation is she will be in AEW fairly soon, but until a contract signing is confirmed, anything can happen.”

AEW Dynamite will air their Homecoming episode from Daily’s Place on Wednesday, January 10th. That very well may be the first time we see Mercedes Mone grace an AEW ring, but AEW hasn’t dropped any blatant teases to confirm those theories yet.

There were talks between Mercedes Mone and WWE, but they reportedly hit a financial roadblock. Bayley still begs Mercedes to make a return at every chance she can, but it appears that the former Sasha Banks may sign with AEW after all. 

Sasha Banks’ WWE walkout in May 2022 still stands as her swansong with the company. Although there was some hope that Mercedes Mone would come back to WWE, it appears that homecoming hit a snag.

Mercedes Mone’s WWE Return is Reportedly Nixed

Mercedes Mone and WWE were talking about a return for The Boss. Then, they hit a financial roadblock, as the two sides couldn’t come together when it came to money.

It was previously reported that Mercedes Mone is no longer expected to make a WWE return. The expectation is that she will go somewhere else, and that will be very soon.

AEW Is Expected to Get Mercedes Mone

Now, a new report from Sean Ross Sapp on Fightful Select points to the idea that Mercedes Mone’s AEW debut is now the most popular idea for her. 

Those that we’ve spoken to expect her to land in All Elite Wrestling, though nobody could confirm she’s signed on the dotted line. Of late in both WWE and AEW, there have been instances – specifically with Will Ospreay and CM Punk – where the physical contracts were not signed until the day of their appearances with AEW and WWE respectively. One source claimed that they heard AEW and Mercedes were close to agreeing on terms, but said “it’s never official until it’s official.”

Nothing is official until it actually happens, because pro wrestling contracts can come together in a hurry. AEW has lost a few notable names in recent memory, but bring in Mercedes Mone could be a massive boost for their roster.

Sasha Banks walked out of WWE in May 2022, and she has done her own thing for over a year since then. Although a return to WWE was in the cards for Mercedes Mone, it appears that money is now an issue.

WWE and Mercedes Mone’s Current Status

Charlotte Flair just inked a new deal with WWE, said to be the highest female contract extension in company history. It appears that Mercedes Mone wants WWE to back up the Brinks truck to her home as well.

Talks between WWE and Mercedes Mone have stopped, as we previously reported. That isn’t to say that her return to the company is impossible, but they need to come to a deal.

Dave Meltzer noted on Wrestling Observer Radio that Mercedes Mone and WWE were far apart on money. That obstacle stopped their deal from moving forward. It is also important to note that it’s not over until it’s over.

“She was absolutely talking with WWE. From what I was told, they were far apart on money. There was one person in WWE who said, “until she shows up and signs a contract, just remember what happened with Punk.” I was told that this afternoon, “just remember what happened with Punk.” I was told that by multiple people that they were far apart on money.”

CM Punk’s WWE Deal Could Be A Blueprint For Mercedes Mone’s Return

CM Punk and WWE worked out a deal for his return to the company, long after everyone had already reported that there were no talks. Many assumed that it was too late for WWE to work anything out with CM Punk for a Survivor Series return, but it happened as he inked his new deal on the day before that November 25th event in Chicago’s Allstate Arena.

After recent trademark filings from Mercedes Mone, some have speculated that she may open a fashion line. It seems to be her decision at this point, because options are on the table for her.

Mercedes Mone’s situation could be very similar to CM Punk’s because her deal isn’t inked yet, either. You never know if WWE can work something out with her, but she may need another few zeros added to her downside guarantee. 

Sasha Banks walked out of WWE in May 2022, along with Naomi, because they were tired of Vince McMahon’s booking. Mercedes Mone arrived in NJPW at the following Wrestle Kingdom, but her time in Japan could be over now. With a rumored WWE return on the horizon, The Boss is filing new trademarks.

Mercedes Mone’s New Trademarks

Mercedes Mone is gearing up for her return to the wrestling scene, leaving fans in suspense about her next destination. Adding an unexpected twist, she has recently secured rights to new trademarks.

According to PW Insider, Mone filed for trademarks like “Mone Wear,” “Time Is Mone,” and “Mone Talks” on December 22nd with the United States Patent and Trademark Office.

The filings were facilitated by patent attorney Michael E. Dockins, who has become famous for helping pro wrestlers lock down trademarks. In a day where intellectual property is king, Dockins is the man to call for pro wrestlers.

Those new trademarks for Mercedes Mone encompass entertainment and clothing purposes, hinting at a potential venture into the fashion world for Mone. She may just be locking down those names for safe keeping as well.

Mercedes Mone’s Career After WWE

Post-WWE, Mone’s wrestling journey included a big victory where she captured the IWGP Women’s Championship at NJPW Battle in the Valley in February 2023. She went on to drop that title to Mayu Iwatani in April 2023. However, during a match for the inaugural NJPW Strong Women’s Championship, she injured her ankle, and that put her out of action for months.

That unexpected injury saw Willow Nightingale win that match, even though she wasn’t booked to win.

Mercedes Mone’s Expected WWE Return

Mercedes Mone has teased that she has WWE on her mind. This is no secret, as she is no longer under NJPW contract. Fans are speculating in massive fashion that the 2024 Royal Rumble will see her return.

Sasha Banks left WWE because of Vince McMahon, who is no longer a creative factor anymore. Now that Triple H is running the ship, and Mercedes Mone saw what he did with Damage CTRL, that might give the former Women’s Champion a bigger reason to return.

That being said, Sasha Banks will command a huge pay day upon her return to WWE. The good news is that WWE has a ton of money to spend on top talent right now. 

Could Mercedes Mone be laying the groundwork for her return to WWE, close to two years after her final appearance? 

Mone, then Sasha Banks, walked out of WWE in May of 2022, alongside her then-tag-team partner Naomi. Mone would join New Japan at Wrestle Kingdom 18 and captured the IWGP Women’s Championship the next month. She has been out of action since May due to an injury. 

Teasing a WWE Return? 

While Mone hasn’t appeared for WWE in 19 months, rumors persist that she could one day make a comeback. After all, several Superstars who were once deemed ‘never’ to make a WWE return did exactly that. This week, Mone added fuel to the speculation with her Instagram Stories. On social media, Mone shared photos of Funko POP! Vinyls, all of which are based on her Sasha Banks WWE tenure. 

Could Mercedes Mone Return? 

Mone left WWE on bad terms, but a lot has changed within the promotion since the May 2022 walkout. Triple H now has significantly more influence than before which may help negotiations with the former IWGP Women’s Champion. Mone worked closely with the Game during his time as head of NXT and is said to have a good relationship with the DX/Evolution leader. 

Contractually speaking, there are currently no obstacles that would block Mone from entering talks with WWE. Her contract with New Japan has expired and she has not signed with any other promotion yet. While Tony Khan has often shared his interest in bringing Mone in, the two sides have yet to reach a deal and it is unknown if there are any current plans to sign her. 

Mercedes Mone is proving to be quite the popular free agent with multiple options for the former Women’s Champion. 

Mone signed with New Japan earlier this year and would debut for the company at Wrestle Kingdom 18. The following month, Mone would capture the IWGP Women’s Championship. She would hold the title until May before dropping the gold to current champion Mayu Iwatani. 

Returning to New Japan Pro Wrestling? 

Fightful Select reports that Mone is not signed to New Japan Pro Wrestling anymore, but that the company is interested in bringing her back into the fold. There has been no word on any talks between NJPW and Mone at this time. 

Mercedes Mone & WWE

While there have been reports that WWE is planning on renewing talks with several free agents at the start of next year there is no word if the former Sasha Banks’ name is on the list. The report also notes that they’ve heard from no one close to the creative team of any plans to prepare for Mone’s possible return, despite false reports shared online to the contrary. While WWE has indicated interest in bringing Mone back, that is nothing new and there is no word that WWE is bringing Mone back. 

Will Mercedes Mone Become All-Elite? 

Fightful’s report states that there were tentative plans back around All In for AEW and Mone to work together, but that this is no longer active. The two sides were far apart on “terms” but it is unclear if these terms relate to the number of dates, the schedule, money, creative, or something else entirely. Contrary to what has been said on social media, the door is not closed between the two sides. 

Mone has been out of action since the NJPW Resurgence event in May of this year when she suffered an ankle injury. 

Could IWGP Women’s Champion Mercedes Moné one day make her return to WWE?

After she (and Naomi) walked out of the May 16, 2022, episode of Monday Night Raw, questions circulated around Moné’s future with the company, and she went unused for months.

Despite reports that she and Naomi had made peace with WWE, Moné would debut for New Japan Pro Wrestling at Wrestle Kingdom 17 this past January.

The Return?

It was last month that Moné captured the IWGP Women’s Championship from KAIRI in the former’s first match since departing WWE.

Like Moné, Alundra ‘Madusa’ Blayze knows what it is like to draw the ire of WWE, as she was blacklisted for two decades for throwing the WWF Women’s Championship in the trash on WCW programming.

Appearing on Under The Ring to talk about her career and her new book “The Woman Who Would Be King: The MADUSA Story,” Blayze spoke about Moné’s future.

“I think Mercedes has actually during a time when she was still champion, I believe tag team championship, whatever she was feeling, she felt like whatever and she handed the titles in and she walked out because she wanted to fulfill something, her dream, something she always wanted to do. I mean, God bless her on that, you know, somebody following what they want to do.”

“Hopefully, she will go back to WWE someday if she wants to.”

Alundra Blayze.

“Hopefully, she will go back to WWE someday if she wants to. Right now she’s just fulfilling it. Let’s hope and continue that everything is great over there with her and Stardom. Maybe she’s paving the way that women can do what they want to do. I may have waited until my contract expired and then did it, but you know, everyone has their own reason and choice and I don’t know what that was, so I can’t say on hers.”

Could A Return Happen?

While Moné is out of WWE right now, that doesn’t mean we may not see Sasha Banks walk down the aisle once more.

After all, Blayze was blacklisted for twenty years but was eventually brought back, and other names fans thought they’d never see again (Bret Hart, Ultimate Warrior, etc.) have returned over the years.

It has been reported that some in WWE believe that once Moné gets NJPW ‘out of her system’ she will return to the Stamford-based promotion.

h/t – Wrestling News