The former Sasha Banks made her AEW debut at Double or Nothing and left the MGM Grand Arena as a champion.
Mercedes Mone faced Willow Nightingale for the AEW TBS Title at Double or Nothing. Their match was the first of three main event matches for the night.
After a competitive match, Mercedes executed the Mone Maker and secured a clean win, marking her in-ring debut for AEW and making her the new TBS Champion.
MERCEDES MONE IS THE NEW TBS CHAMPION OMG ???#aewdon pic.twitter.com/FJZ9YWkNFU
— s??? ? ? (@ERAOFMONE) May 27, 2024
Mercedes and Nightingale entered the match with history. They previously faced off in NJPW, where Mercedes suffered an ankle injury that cost her the NJPW Strong Women’s Title and led to nearly a year on the sidelines.
Mercedes had a notable entrance for her match. A drum line accompanied her to the ring, adding to the moment as they kept pace with her CEO music.
The CEO Mercedes Moné makes her AEW in-ring debut as she looks to capture TBS gold & revenge!
Order #AEWDoN on PPV right now!
?: https://t.co/MpmTCyHt8n
?: https://t.co/GTkwK7GBIn@willowwrestles | @MercedesVarnado pic.twitter.com/f4ECyh4GMF— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) May 27, 2024
This victory established Mercedes in AEW, setting the stage for her future in the company. Excalibur sang her praises after the win, saying that Mercedes will be tough to beat with a finisher like the Mone Maker.
After the match, Kris Statlander turned on Willow, hit her, and ripped off her friendship bracelet, adding insult to injury. Stokely Hathaway approved of this turn, marking a separation with Nightingale.