Drama in the ring, folks! Mercedes Mone, the unstoppable force and reigning AEW TBS Champion, threw down an open challenge that “The Native Beast” Nyla Rose couldn’t resist. Despite Rose’s best efforts, Mone triumphed, tapping out Rose with her signature Statement Maker. But oh, did the plot thicken! Just as Mone was soaking in her victory, who should leap from the shadows but her arch-nemesis, Britt Baker. Yes, it was sneak attack city, population: Baker!
In a twist straight out of a soap opera, Mone’s open challenge had a big fat no entry sign for Baker. Arriving in Little Rock, Arkansas, Mone had pulled some strings with the EVPs Matthew and Nicholas Jackson to keep Baker out of the building. The Jacksons must have secret teleportation powers because Baker was nowhere to be seen—until she was everywhere at once!
Late in the match, Mone tried to serve up a dose of poetic justice by using Baker’s own Lockjaw move on Rose. But alas, Mone’s dental credentials were not in order, and Rose chomped down like a gator at a barbecue. Commentary had a field day with this, but Mone quickly transitioned to her trusty Statement Maker for the win.
The real kicker? As Mone was strutting out, a masked mystery fan pulled a fast one, pie-facing her from the stands. Turns out, the masked fan was none other than Baker in disguise. A brief, chaotic scuffle ensued before security played referee and separated the two.
While it’s still up in the air when these two will finally clash in the ring, all eyes are on AEW All In at Wembley Stadium in August. Place your bets, folks! Mone, also the NJPW STRONG Women’s Champion, nabbed that title from the new WWE star Stephanie Vaquer at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door—coincidentally the same night Baker reemerged to stir the pot. Stay tuned, wrestling aficionados, because this saga is just heating up!