Below are a couple of top AEW & WWE news stories of the day, involving Mercedes Mone and SmackDown.
• Mercedes Mone recently announced that she has creative control in AEW.
Mone made her debut in All Elite Wrestling earlier this year at Big Business from the TD Garden and then made her in-ring debut at Double or Nothing 2024, where she defeated Willow Nightingale to win the TBS Women’s Championship. At Forbidden Door, she captured the NJPW Women’s Strong Championship by defeating Stephanie Vaquer, thus becoming a double champion.
In an interview with TMZ, Mercedes talked about the endless opportunities she’s getting in AEW and her ambitious goals within the company.
“I feel like here at AEW, all of my dreams and opportunities are just endless. So, of course, being the TBS Champion and this Sunday at Forbidden Door, I’m about to be a two-time champion. I’m going to be the TBS Champion and the New Japan Strong Champion. So, yes, this little creativity that I have of taking all the belts and going global is beautiful.”
When pressed further on whether she had creative control, Mone confirmed that she does but emphasized her close collaboration with AEW President Tony Khan.
“I mean, because I got this. I think just every single week you got to watch. Yes, I have creative control, but I work with Tony Khan very closely. So it’s great. It’s a great combo.”
According to Fightful Select, Mercedes’ claim of having creative control might not be true as she does interviews while being in character a lot of times:
“I would be shocked if that was true. She does a lot of her interviews in character.”
WATCH: Sasha Banks’ Major Wardrobe Malfunction:
• WWE has announced the following for next week’s SmackDown:
– United States Champion Logan Paul will respond to LA Knight’s SummerSlam challenge
– Andrade vs. Carmelo Hayes
