Mercedes Mone revealed in the latest Mone Mag newsletter (subscribe here) that the weight of expectations and the significance of wrestling at the Tokyo Dome led to a panic attack before her match against Mina Shirakawa at Wrestle Dynasty.
“From the moment I landed in Japan, where I actually bawled my eyes out with both disbelief and gratitude, to the morning of the event, where I had an actual panic attack, making history was the last thing on my mind,” Mone confessed.
The gravity of the situation was not lost on her. Wrestling at the Tokyo Dome, a venue steeped in wrestling history, was a lifelong dream. Mone described Japan as a second home, akin to Mexico, where she has also experienced tremendous success. However, the pressure to deliver an unforgettable performance became overwhelming.
“Truly, it was my lifelong dream to have a match at this level at the Tokyo Dome, so I was beyond excited,” she wrote. “Along with the rich wrestling history, I feel as though, in some strange way, Japan, like Mexico, is another home. Yet, for all my joy, I was likewise petrified.”
Mone’s anxiety stemmed from a deep sense of responsibility. She felt the need to meet the expectations of the promoters, the fans, her opponent, and most importantly, to uphold the legacy of women’s wrestling.
“I didn’t want to let the promoters down. I didn’t want to let the fans down. I didn’t want to let Mina down. I especially, and as always, didn’t want to let the women wrestlers of today AND tomorrow down,” she explained.
Her ultimate goal, she emphasized, is to ensure that women’s wrestling receives the recognition and prominence it deserves in promotions worldwide. “I want New Japan, and all promotions, globally, for that matter, to know that we female athletes deserve prominent recognition and a prominent place on the card.”
Despite the pre-match anxiety, Mone went on to have a successful match against Shirakawa, further solidifying her status as one of the top female wrestlers in the world.
