“Busted Open Radio” host Dave LaGreca has passionately defended his opinion that AEW TBS Champion Mercedes Moné is the best women’s wrestler in the world for 2025. On the latest episode, he addressed the “toxic” backlash he received from fans for the statement and doubled down on his claim, laying out his case for Moné’s current standing in the industry.
LaGreca began the show by describing the negative reaction from the audience after he first made the claim. “There were curse words that I read on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter I didn’t even know existed… the hatred from the Busted Open nation about my opinion on Mercedes Moné,” he said. “You love Mercedes when she was wrestling in the WWE… now that she’s got six titles now you hate her. Toxic, toxic, toxics.”
He then delivered his full, in-context statement, leaving no doubt about his current assessment of the women’s wrestling landscape.
“I’ll say it I said it yesterday, and I’ll say it again right now. Mercedes Moné, if the Busties [the show’s awards] was today, I would be giving the Busty to Mercedes Moné for the best women’s wrestler. That’s it. End of story,” LaGreca declared. “And you know, Toni Storm, great six months. Liv Morgan, we hope she’s back soon. Great six months… But if I was writing for Pro Wrestling Illustrated, PWI number one, Mercedes.”
While he acknowledged her rocky start in AEW, particularly with her promos, LaGreca believes her in-ring work in 2025 has been a return to form. “I’m seeing the old Sasha Banks. I’m talking the Sasha Banks that we saw in the ring in NXT against Bayley, the Sasha Banks that we saw on the main roster against Charlotte. That person is still there,” he argued.
LaGreca also pointed to Moné’s unique global resume as a key argument for her being in the “best in the world” conversation. “Mercedes has wrestled at the Mecca, Madison Square Garden, Arena Mexico, Wembley and the Tokyo Dome… Three different companies around the globe. You can only say that about Mercedes Moné,” he stated.
If you use any portion of the quotes from this article please credit Busted Open Radio with a h/t to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
