Mercedes Mone: Tony Khan saw me as the best women’s wrestler of all time

Mercedes Mone is happy with the home she’s found in AEW working for Tony Khan.

During a recent media tour, Mone stopped by Hot 97 radio in New York City. She opened up about the decision she made when she walked out of WWE in 2022. Mone said there were “so many” reasons she walked out, but the biggest thing was listening to her heart and soul.

“Something didn’t feel right that day,” she said. “How we were talked to didn’t settle in my heart. And I just instantly knew, like, if I wasn’t going to take control of my life right here and now, then I was never going to be happy there by having someone talk to me the way that they do or feeling like you just don’t belong.”

When she left WWE, Mone had to consider the impact it would have not just on herself but her family as well. She didn’t know what was next or if she was going to be able to fit back into wrestling. But Mone is thankful for where she’s ended up in AEW. Walking out of WWE was a difficult decision, but she feels the best she’s ever felt in her life right now.

“It wasn’t just about me, it’s my family too. I financially support my brother who has special needs. I financially support my mother. So, for two years, not having a ‘stable’ income — you know, I’m still making money thanks for the other doors of opportunities of coming in. But really not knowing what was going to be next and if I was going to fit back into wrestling,” Mone said.

“And I’m so thankful for a company like AEW and such a beautiful boss and leader like Tony Khan who saw me for what I am. And he saw me as the best, the best women’s wrestler of all time. He worked endless amount of years to try to get me and to get me down [to AEW]. He finally got me. The numbers were right, the conversations were right, the alignment was right, and the goals were aligned. That’s the biggest thing. I wanted the goals of what his mission was for AEW and the women’s wrestling in AEW. And I wanted him to know how much I care and how much I want to bring to women’s wrestling here in AEW. And the alignment was just there. And now here we are making magic.”

Mone made her debut for AEW this March. Khan told Sports Illustrated last week that Mone is “one of the greatest free agent signings in pro wrestling history” and “one of the most significant signings ever in AEW history.”

At Forbidden Door last weekend, Mone became a double champion by defeating Stephanie Vaquer in a title vs. title match where the AEW TBS Championship and NJPW Strong Women’s Championship were both on the line. After the match, Mone was confronted by the returning Britt Baker.

Mone will hold a championship celebration on AEW Dynamite this Wednesday. An appearance by Baker has also been announced for the episode.