Deonna Purrazzo of AEW Challenges Mercedes Mone to an Ideal Submission Match
High-stakes rivalries are nothing new in the professional wrestling world, but when two of the best submission artists in the business see each other as ideal opponents, an explosive matchup seems virtually certain. Deonna Purrazzo, the star of AEW, has stated unequivocally that her dream match would be a submission fight versus Mercedes Mone, the former WWE Sasha Banks. Such an event might go down in wrestling history.
Purrazzo has caused quite a stir since entering AEW in January 2024. He has gotten into intense feuds with some of the biggest names in the industry, such as Thunder Rosa and “Timeless” Toni Storm. Purrazzo, a three-time TNA Knockouts Champion, is known for being a strong competitor who can hang with the best. Purrazzo believes she still has one dream match to cross off her list, despite her stellar resume.
In a candid interview with wrestling journalist Stephanie Chase, the New Jersey native opened up about her burning desire to face Mercedes Mone in the ring. “We had never crossed paths before. Obviously, we knew each other, and if I was up for Raw or SmackDown or was an extra, we would say hello, but in terms of getting to know each other and sharing a locker room with each other, wrestling each other, that’s never happened,” Purrazzo said.
Purrazzo, who began her wrestling career in 2012, has shared the ring with some of the most prominent names in the industry, including Britt Baker, Asuka, and Bayley. Despite these high-profile bouts, the thought of battling Mercedes Mone in a submission match is what truly excites her. “I feel that’s on the bucket list for me. My dream match with her would be a submission match. We both cemented our careers on kind of being submission specialists,” Purrazzo continued.
The intrigue surrounding a potential match between Purrazzo and Mone is heightened by the fact that both women have built their careers on their expertise in submission wrestling. Mercedes Mone, known for her devastating Bank Statement finisher, has claimed championships across the globe, cementing her status as one of the top female wrestlers in the industry. On the other hand, Purrazzo has earned accolades for her own submission prowess, making a showdown between the two not just a battle of wills but a clash of technical expertise.
“If we were to work together, that would be my ultimate match, a submission match with Mercedes Mone,” Purrazzo emphasized, leaving no doubt that this is the match she craves the most.
Fans are left wondering if AEW or any other organization will bring this fantasy match to fruition as rumors about it continue to swirl. It is exciting to think that two of the top submission wrestlers in the business might square off, and wrestling fans all over the world would surely be very interested in this contest.
Mercedes Mone’s Personal Battles Made Public
In a different but no less fascinating disclosure, Mercedes Mone has revealed a personal battle that she concealed from the world—even from Vince McMahon, the WWE’s former chairman. After four years of marriage and tremendous success under the WWE banner as Sasha Banks, Mone disclosed that she had discreetly divorced WWE costume designer Sarath Thon in late 2020.
Mone did not make the decision to conceal her divorce from the public lightly. In an unexpectedly open moment, she revealed that her main worry was how the news would affect her career goals, especially her desire to be the main attraction at WrestleMania. Mone said, “I didn’t want anything to jeopardize my chances.”
Mone’s public persona gains depth as a result of this disclosure. She was secretly negotiating a big personal transition even as her performances in the ring dazzled viewers. The great constraints encountered by elite performers in the wrestling business are reflected in the concern that making public her divorce could jeopardize her aspirations for a successful career.
Mone’s decision to conceal her divorce from McMahon is evidence of her dedication and will to succeed in her job, even in the face of personal anguish. Her expertise and dedication to her trade are evident in her ability to compartmentalize and still produce performances of the highest standard.
The world of wrestling waits in anticipation as both Deonna Purrazzo and Mercedes Mone make news. One thing is certain: both women have left their marks on professional wrestling history, and their legacies will continue to inspire fans for years to come, whether or not the highly awaited submission battle between the two happens.
H/T: Fightful for the above transcription.
