AEW Big Business set for Boston, Mercedes Mone debut expected

Tony Khan has announced a special Big Business episode of Dynamite for Boston with the show expected to feature the AEW debut of Mercedes Mone.

Khan promised “a big announcement” on this week’s Dynamite and delivered with what was a First Dance-style tease of Mone, as Khan said that Big Business would be one of the most important nights in AEW history, and one that the wrestling world would remember. The show is set for Wednesday, March 13 at Boston’s TD Garden.

In the Big Business graphic shown on air, a “Bo$$ton” sign appears on the Garden, likely a reference to Mone’s “Legit Boss” moniker from her WWE days. 

The Big Business tease is similar to the tact taken when AEW debuted CM Punk at Rampage The First Dance in August 2021, where Punk was not mentioned by name, but his debut was expected. 

In a report posted Wednesday night, Fightful Select states that Mone is under contract to AEW and has been since at least last month, and that NJPW hopes to continue working with Mone even if she is with AEW and has discussed that with the promotion. 

Mone left WWE in May 2022, walking out of a Raw taping due to creative differences and vacating the Women’s Tag Team titles she held with Naomi.  

Mone then debuted for NJPW at Wrestle Kingdom 17 on January 4, 2023, and later won the IWGP Women’s Championship from KAIRI at Battle in the Valley in February 2023 in her NJPW in-ring debut. 

After dropping the IWGP title to Mayu Iwatani at Stardom All-Star Grand Queendom in April 2023, Mone entered a one-night tournament to crown the inaugural NJPW Strong Women’s Champion at Resurgence in May 2023 and was planned to win the title, but suffered an ankle injury in the tournament final against Willow Nightingale. Mone called an audible in the ring and put Nightingale over, and has been sidelined since due to the injury.

Tickets for Big Business at the TD Garden in Boston will go on sale Saturday, February 10.