Potentially Disappointing News For AEW Fans Ahead Of Full Gear 2023

Update on one of AEW Full Gear 2023's biggest hooks.

by Andy H Murray
Mercedes Mone
NJPW

AEW is to unveil its latest signing at Full Gear 2023 on Saturday (18 November) - but it's unlikely to be Mercedes Moné.

Company founder and CEO Tony Khan has promised "one of the world's best wrestlers... who is known and respected by virtually every AEW fan" will be at Full Gear to sign a contract. Fightful Select's sources have indicated that it isn't Moné, who stands amongst the leading candidates.

Several people within AEW have indicated that the new signing isn't Mercedes, though there are working plans for the two parties to work together in the future. When, exactly, remains a mystery.

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Moné has been injured since May, when she hurt her ankle working with AEW's Willow Nightingale for NJPW. When AEW showed her on camera at August's All In pay-per-view, Mercedes was seated to avoid showing the medical boot she'd been wearing as a result of her injury - though as Fightful states, "Reports have since emerged that she was out of her boot."

Mercedes recently shot a Cameo video stating she'd be back in the ring in 2024, expressing excitement at "getting back to where I live and what I do best":

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Channel Manager
Channel Manager

Andy has been with WhatCulture for eight years and is currently WhatCulture's Wrestling Channel Manager. A writer, presenter, and editor with 10+ years of experience in online media, he has been a sponge for all wrestling knowledge since playing an old Royal Rumble 1992 VHS to ruin in his childhood. Having previously worked for Bleacher Report, Andy specialises in short and long-form writing, video presenting, voiceover acting, and editing, all characterised by expert wrestling knowledge and commentary. Andy is as much a fan of 1985 Jim Crockett Promotions as he is present-day AEW and WWE - just don't make him choose between the two.