The Mercedes Mone effect boosts the AEW women's division

Back in March, we published a piece about Mercedes Mone signing with All Elite Wrestling and how Tony Khan needed to respond in kind. Fans wanted to see the division pushed in a way that best represented the talent on the roster, and Khan has since responded in kind. Almost five months later, the AEW women’s division is performing in a way that almost seemed impossible. Fans are calling this the “Mercedes Mone” effect and it’s hard to argue that point.

Look at what is happening heading into All-In. That PPV is scheduled for Sunday, August 25. That show has two big women’s bouts set for the card. Toni Storm will defend her championship against Mariah May. Mercedes Mone will also defend her title against Dr. Britt Baker.

Two title matches are typically par for the course for AEW, but this moment is different when looking at how those two feuds are positioned. Both angles are getting ample time for thoughtful and consistent builds, featuring all four ladies and recently the addition of Kamille into the mix. They all have fleshed-out characters, giving fans the opportunity to get invested in each of their stories.

Beyond that, there’s so much more going on in the women’s division. Thunder Rosa and Deonna Purrazzo continue their angle and they’ve recently added Taya Valkyrie into that story, getting another woman ample television time. Remember the heated angle between Kris Statlander and Willow Nightingale? They are still battling it out in an angle that has led to a title match for Statlander.

There’s so much for wrestling fans to sink their teeth into within the women’s division. This wasn’t the case a few months back. It’s almost like Khan signed a big-name performer to the roster that wanted to see the women’s division thrive. He did. That individual is Mercedes Mone.

“[Mercedes] is very pro-AEW women’s division, and helps push us forward,” Nightingale said while speaking to Denise Salcedo. “At the end of the day, she’s a cheerleader for us all. I appreciate that. We’re all pushing forward together. For her to take the helm and help us get that, I think it’s sick as hell.”

That type of elevation is transformative. Look at what is happening in Ring of Honor with that women’s division. ATHENA, Red Velvet, Queen Aminata, and several others are taking that show by storm. This is the type of boost that the women’s division in AEW needed and that time has come thanks to Mercedes Mone stepping into her role within the company.