Mercedes Martinez Shoots On The Problems With WWE's Retribution Idea

Released star Mercedes Martinez opens up on WWE's miserable Retribution flop.

By Jamie Kennedy /

WWE.com

Ex-WWE and current Impact star Mercedes Martinez knew deep down that the Retribution gimmick wasn't for her.

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Martinez told the 'Bell To Belles' podcast that alarm bells started ringing as soon as WWE's lack of communication became clear; Mercedes thinks the group's members should've had more of a say when it came to designing their own masks and general appearances.

Also, Martinez really hated wrestling with the mask on. That was something WWE viewed as essential, but Mercedes struggled because she suffers from asthma. The whole experience left a sour taste in her mouth - Martinez told the pod that she "just didn't feel it in [her] heart" and didn't think she should be a part of WWE's plans.

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Her part in Retribution was doomed to fail.

The gimmick trundled along post-Mercedes, but it never really went anywhere. Leading members like T-Bar and Mace have since split and are now working on different shows. Meanwhile, Slapjack (Shane Thorne) and Reckoning (Mia Yim) are either waiting to be repackaged or have left their old stable names behind completely.

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Martinez believes WWE could've made something of Retribution had they let talent be more hands on.