Mercedes Mone, the former WWE superstar, made her highly anticipated AEW in-ring debut a memorable one by clinching the TBS Championship from Willow Nightingale at Double or Nothing. This wasn’t just a match; it was a high-stakes rematch, laden with history, drama, and a twist that left the audience gasping.
Last year, Mone and Nightingale faced off for the NJPW Strong Women’s Openweight Championship, a bout that ended in controversy as Mone suffered a severe ankle injury and Nightingale emerged victorious under a cloud of uncertainty. Fast forward to AEW’s Double or Nothing, and the two warriors were ready to settle the score once and for all.
The match was as brutal as expected, with both women targeting each other’s leg joints like they were trying out for a medieval torture role. Mone hit Nightingale with a Meteora on the outside, sending shockwaves through the arena and setting the stage for a controversial finish. As Mone continued to provoke Kris Statlander, Statlander and Stokely Hathaway’s scuffle with referee Aubrey Edwards provided the distraction needed for Nightingale to hit her signature Babe With The Powerbomb. However, due to the late count, Mone kicked out just in time.
With the chaos reaching fever pitch, “The CEO” Mercedes Mone seized the moment, executing her devastating Mone Maker to pin Nightingale and claim the TBS Championship, avenging her previous loss in spectacular fashion.
As Mone basked in her victory, Kris Statlander seemed to rush to Nightingale’s aid, shoving Hathaway aside. In a shocking turn of events, Statlander’s apparent act of friendship was revealed to be a ruse. She viciously attacked Nightingale, aligning herself once more with Hathaway. The crowd, already on the edge of their seats, exploded in disbelief as Statlander’s betrayal closed out the dramatic segment.