Last week on AEW Dynamite, the wrestling world was taken by surprise as Mercedes Moné, formerly known as Sasha Banks, made her debut appearance. The event, dubbed Big Business, took place at the TD Garden in Boston, where fans witnessed the unexpected appearance of the absent WWE Superstar Tamina. Moné’s departure from WWE in 2022 alongside Naomi, following dissatisfaction with the creative direction, had left fans speculating about her next move. She briefly ventured into New Japan Pro-Wrestling and even secured the IWGP Women’s Championship before rumors of her joining AEW began circulating.
On social media, AEW star Saraya shared a snapshot from the recent Dynamite episode, featuring Moné alongside Bayley, Ruby Soho (formerly Ruby Riott), Naomi, and Tamina. Tamina, who last competed in a match on February 27, 2023, against Mia Yim, has been relatively quiet since her departure from WWE. Moné’s arrival in AEW has sparked excitement among fans, with many anticipating a fresh dynamic in the promotion’s roster.
Mercedes Moné and Bayley (Via WWE/Twitter)
Despite the buzz surrounding Moné’s AEW debut, some critics, such as former WWE manager Dutch Mantell, have raised concerns about her future plans. Mantell expressed skepticism about Moné’s commitment to AEW, citing her previous statement about potentially returning to WWE. He questioned the timing of her remarks, suggesting that it might not align with her recent signing with AEW.
As All Elite Wrestling continues to solidify its position as a competitive alternative to WWE, Moné’s presence brings a mix of anticipation and uncertainty. While she has the potential to attract new viewers to AEW, her allegiance to the promotion remains a topic of debate within the wrestling community. Only time will reveal whether Moné’s transition to AEW will mark a significant turning point in her career or lead to further speculation about her future in the wrestling industry.
