Mercedes Mone first match must be presented as a big moment for AEW

All Elite Wrestling signed one of the biggest free agents available when Mercedes Mone walked through the door. Her initial appearance at Big Business and those since continue to be the biggest talking points coming out of the company, for better or for worse. This is why it is important for AEW to position her first match as a major moment, perhaps even holding off until AEW Dynasty in April.

Mercedes Mone is a big-time attraction. And in many ways, AEW’s first at this level. Yes, the company has signed major top names before. Kazuchika Okada, Will Ospreay, and Adam Copeland are just three of several who have jumped to the company in recent years. But Mone is the first with true, headline-grabbing power. This is why her debut match needs to be treated with a reverence that many of those big signings did not receive.

Take Ospreay as an example. He’s widely considered one of, if not the best in-ring performer in the world. Since moving over to AEW he’s put out spectacular matches against Konosuke Takeshita, Kyle Fletcher, and has another imminent banger on deck against Katsuyori Shibata. Will Ospreay miss if he was wrestling blindfolded. But AEW is known for putting out spectacular matches on weekly television without blinking. To some, it makes those matches seem less special if there are multiple other “dream” matches scheduled that week. This is why Mone’s first match must be managed quite differently.

Using another example, take CM Punk’s return to professional wrestling. When he came back, he was set up to battle Darby Allin. Rather than that match happening on an episode of AEW Dynamite, it came at AEW All Out, setting the tone for what was a big night in professional wrestling. All Out was already expected to be a big show, but his match announcement helped push the show even higher.

Mone could have that same impact for AEW Dynasty on Sunday, April 21. While it’s understandable that this is expected to be another solid card from All Elite Wrestling, there isn’t a set match that could be considered a crossover draw. Bryan Danielson versus Will Ospreay is going to be big, but that’s for fans of professional wrestling first and foremost. Mercedes Mone getting her first match on the card would have a different impact, and truly be a test of her star power in the rising company.

Who should that match be against? It looks like she’s headed toward a showdown with Julia Hart. It would make sense if Mone was pitted against Skye Blue on an episode of weekly television, but holding off on that match and building it through other interactions would be another route to go. Giving a young talent like Hart the opportunity to stand next to a star like Mone is the right move for both women and helping to further the division as a whole.

Mercedes Mone is a star. She’s proven that point. AEW should have made if a point to promote her appearance at Big Business upfront, but instead went the “surprise” route. Her first match needs to a bigger deal, announced and promoted well in advance at AEW Dynasty.