Big Update On Mercedes Moné's Wrestling Future
Latest on Mercedes Mone, NJPW, STARDOM, and more.
Mercedes Moné's NJPW/STARDOM run is currently set to conclude after 23 April's Allstar Grand Queendom event, where she'll defend the IWGP Women's Championship against Mayu Iwatani, but the two parties are understood to be in talks regarding an extension.
Dave Meltzer reported on Wrestling Observer Radio that NJPW/STARDOM's parent company, Bushiroad, is currently negotiating with Moné with the aim of booking her for one more match. There is currently no word on when, exactly, that match would take place, however.
Having previously reported the Iwatani match as the last on Moné's current deal, Meltzer stated that whether or not the one-bout extension has already been agreed upon is unclear at the moment.
Moné has been under the Bushiroad umbrella since debuting at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17 on 4 January. Attacking former WWE cohort KAIRI to set up an 18 February IWGP Women's Title match between the duo, which Mercedes won, Moné has since mounted a second successful defence against AZM and Hazuki in a three-way at NJPW Sakura Genesis 2023 (8 April).
Iwatani vs. Moné is currently pegged to take place third-from-last at Allstar Grand Queendom. Taking place at the 17,000-seater Yokohama Arena, the STARDOM super-show will be headlined by World of STARDOM Champion Giulia vs. Tam Nakano.