Mercedes Mone, a former WWE star, surprised the wrestling industry by leaving Japan and WWE to join AEW and establish herself in a new way. Nevertheless, her path was filled with challenges, and supporters were starting to wonder if taking a risk was the right decision.
Tony Khan’s big offer was no doubt a big factor in her decision to join AEW. But despite the money, critics and loyal WWE supporter groups expressed disappointment and believed Mone would have been better off staying with her former employer. Eric Bischoff, a longtime critic of AEW, recently commented on the situation, adding fuel to the ongoing debate.
WWE vs. AEW
During a candid Q&A with fans that was later uploaded to YouTube, Eric Bischoff did not hide his thoughts on the differences between WWE and AEW, especially when it came to featuring talent like Mercedes Mone. According to Bischoff, WWE had a better understanding of how to present and produce Mone, formerly known as Sasha Banks. “That’s the difference between Sasha Banks in WWE and Mercedes Monet in AEW,” Bischoff noted. “The companies knew how to produce them.” Other companies don’t know anything about it.”
This apparent contrast does not go unnoticed by fans. Many have noted that Monet’s on-screen promos in AEW lack the polish and impact that defined her WWE persona. This leaves questions open as to whether AEW is right for a star like her.
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Could AEW be held responsible for the issues with Mercedes Mones’ promotion?
One fan pointed out during Bischoff’s Q&A that there is a stark difference between Mone’s pre-recorded promos on social media and her live mic work on AEW shows. The fan noted that Mone looks more confident and effective in her social media videos, where she has control over the environment and presentation. This has led to speculation that AEW management is not providing her with the right tools and support to shine like she did in her WWE days.
Bischoff didn’t mince words to answer. He suggested that Mone’s difficulties could stem from AEW’s inability to properly utilize her talent. “If Mercedes feels much more comfortable making a promo with a phone in her hand than in the middle of the ring in front of people… I get it.”
The statement resonated with many wrestling fans who had noticed Mone’s inconsistent performance in AEW. It raises the question of whether AEW’s approach to talent management is holding them back from reaching their full potential.
Fans continue to fantasize about a comeback to WWE
Despite her move to AEW, a significant portion of the wrestling community still imagines what would have happened if Mone had stayed in WWE. These fans believe that WWE’s decades of experience producing top-tier wrestling entertainment would have allowed them to overcome the challenges Mone faced in AEW. The fact that her promotional skills, once a highlight of her WWE persona, seem to have diminished in AEW only reinforces this sentiment.
What next for Mone in AEW’s future?
The wrestling community is eagerly observing as Mercedes Mone progresses in her career with AEW. Will AEW manage to effectively utilize her skills, or will she stay stagnant in a promotion that doesn’t know how to highlight them? At the moment, supporters can only guess and wish that Mone’s choice to depart WWE will eventually be beneficial.
Until that moment arrives, the question still lingers: Did Mercedes Mone make the correct decision by joining AEW, or is she fated to waste her talent in the world of wrestling? Time alone will reveal the truth.
