15 Misconceptions About AEW You Probably Believe

14. “Mercedes Hogan Has Creative Control”

This misconception verges on ignorance and, worryingly, a complete detachment from reality.

Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful recently thwarted a rumbling narrative. No, Mercedes Moné does not have creative control over the direction of her character. She has input, and Tony Khan is going to listen to one of his top stars. Top stars have leverage. This is true of every entertainment medium ever, and has been since decades before Mercedes was born. What does Sapp gain from lying about this?

To answer another question: why does Mercedes win constantly?

She almost invariably wins because AEW is in the process of depicting her as a living demigod of women’s wrestling. It’s a great selling point that does much for Moné’s aura and AEW’s standing in the pro wrestling world alike. AEW promotes the woman considered by many to be the greatest in North American history - and she chose to join the promotion in her prime as one of the best wrestlers in the world, When she loses, the wrestler who defeats her will have achieved something that is framed in the narrative as an incredible, nigh-on impossible feat. Even if Moné had lost a match, only to get her win back in a trilogy series, the objective would have been diminished. The idea is to promote a result so momentous that it feels surreal. For a promotion that was mocked for not adhering to certain early promises, this story, of an arrogant dynasty finally falling to its knees, is something every sports fan dreams of watching.

The tactic is working, too; a bleak lack of parity not withstanding, AEW’s women’s scene has never felt bigger. The action has never peaked so consistently.