Britt Baker: Mercedes Mone ‘is absolutely one of my role models’

Britt Baker is grateful that she got to share the ring with one of her dream opponents at AEW All In.

After nearly a year away due to health issues, Baker returned to AEW programming this summer for a feud with Mercedes Mone. They faced off for the first time ever when Baker unsuccessfully challenged Mone for the TBS Championship at Wembley Stadium in August.

While speaking with TV Insider ahead of AEW Dynamite’s fifth anniversary episode, Baker reflected on how much facing the former Sasha Banks meant to her.

“Mercedes is absolutely one of my role models. Someone I always dreamed of wrestling in the ring. I can’t lie. My experience working with her was awesome. She was so cool to me. She always treated me like her equal,” Baker said. “Mercedes is iconic. She has done it all, wrestled everywhere. Her WWE matches I will study until the end of time. Ones I will always show to people getting into wrestling. The Bayley and Sasha Banks [NXT] Takeover match, at one point I think I memorized the match from start to finish. I look at it as I got to share the ring with one of my idols. I hope it’s not the last time either. I’m thankful for the experience because a lot of people don’t get those opportunities. You get asked what your dream match [is] all the time, but do you ever get to have it? A lot of people can’t say they have.”

Mone said that she had a really good time facing Baker at All In. In response to the mixed reaction the match received from fans, Mone admitted that she felt like there was some audience fatigue with the match going on third-to-last at the pay-per-view.

Dynamite’s fifth anniversary episode is taking place from Baker’s hometown of Pittsburgh tonight. Baker vs. Serena Deeb is set for the show. It’s the first time Baker has wrestled since All In.

TV Insider asked Baker to explain her post-All In absence.

“I guess in a lot of ways I can’t other than I lost, so back of the line,” she responded. “I can’t think of how many times I’ve said that to girls in my promos when I was champion. Back of the line. It’s a harsh reality when you’re in that position.”