Mercedes Mone made her AEW debut on Wednesday’s Dynamite: Big Business episode in Boston. However, she did have talks with WWE about a potential return.
Arrival
The former WWE star opened the show with a promo and noted she had unfinished business with Willow Nightingale. She later made the save for Nightingale in the main event.
WWE knew in late December that they were not going to sign Mone after talks broke down as they were far apart on money. She had been going back and forth with WWE as well as AEW before signing with Mone.
Talks
In the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Dave Meltzer reported that Mone had talks with WWE in late 2022 and late 2023. Both times, WWE sources said she wanted a higher figure than they were offering, “with reports she was seeking Becky Lynch-level money.”
Tony Khan’s offer was said to be “very substantial, obviously higher than WWE, but considerably lower than the $5 million per year figure going around.” A female WWE star said they heard the number was enough to make her the highest-paid woman in pro wrestling. This star was said to be thrilled at AEW making such an offer and happy Mone took it because it opened up a better market for female talent to earn top dollar.
