In late 2022 and again in late 2023, Varnado engaged in negotiations with WWE. On both occasions, she sought a higher compensation than what WWE was offering, with reports indicating she aimed for compensation comparable to Charlotte Flair or Becky Lynch’s paydays. Since they hit a financial roadblock, she moved on. It seems that she still thinks she will return to WWE.
Mercedes Mone recently said on an interview that a WWE return is certainly in her future. This was before her “surprise” AEW debut, even though she wasn’t “officially” announced everyone knew she was going to be at Big Business, but Mone still worked the interview and said a WWE return is in the cards. This apparenlty upset quite a few people, and for good reason.
Mone Causes Controversy
While the specifics of Tony Khan’s offer remain undisclosed, it was noted in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that individuals familiar with the proposal described it as substantial, evidently surpassing WWE’s offer but falling notably short of the rumored $5 million per year figure circulating.
That being said, a controversy arose surrounding a Mercedes Mone interview on the Kick Rocks podcast. Although the interview did not acknowledge her move to AEW, as the intention was to keep it a secretm she did say that she will be back in WWE someday.
Mone remarked on the podcast, “I know I’m gonna be back there one day. Like I said, I have a lot of unfinished business in a lot of places.”
It was noted by Dave Meltzer in the WON that “Boy did this one rub a lot of people the wrong way. Time will tell, and quite frankly she should always have it in her mind the possibility of going to WWE, but saying so days before she’s about to start in AEW wouldn’t be the right time politically to say that.”
The timing of Mone’s comments, just days before her AEW debut, raised eyebrows, as it was deemed politically inappropriate to express intentions of returning to WWE at that juncture. While maintaining the possibility of returning to WWE is prudent, making such remarks before commencing work at AEW was seen as ill-advised.
Mone is Making Money
We previously reported that an unnamed female WWE Superstar said that there were indications the offered amount could potentially elevate Mercedes Mone to the status of the highest-paid female wrestler in the industry. They were also very happy with AEW’s offer and Varnado’s decision to accept it, as it was emphasized that there will be positive implications for top female talent in the wrestling market.
Mercedes Mone is making a ton in AEW, and she will probably be featured promimently on Tony Khan’s television shows for a long time to come. He needs to make his money back on the CEO, but she will also remain true to herself the entire time, so you never know what she’ll say on a live microphone.
SEScoops will have more on Mercedes Mone in AEW, and so much more. We will keep our eye on all of the news to continue providing you with the headlines and stories you need.