Mercedes Mone stepped into the AEW Dynamite ring in Richmond, Virginia on June 3. The crowd roared as she walked to the apron. Fans remembered her loss of the TBS Championship to Willow Nightingale at the end of 2025. This night marked her first match back in AEW after a long hiatus.
Two weeks earlier Willow Nightingale announced she had to vacate the TBS Championship and withdraw from the Owen Hart Foundation tournament because of an injury. The promotion needed a replacement for her spot. The match was labeled a wild card for the night.
Mercedes Mone steps in
Mercedes Mone, the woman who defeated Nightingale for the TBS Championship, accepted the wild card slot. She faced Alex Windsor in a high stakes bout. Mone used her experience and power to dominate the match. In the end she secured a clear victory and moved forward in the tournament.
What the win means for the tournament
With the win, Mone joins the semi‑final round. She will meet the winner of the Persephone versus Hazuki match. The tournament winner receives the prestigious Owen Hart Foundation trophy and a future title opportunity.
Other bracket updates
Athena defeated Mina Shirakawa at Double Or Nothing. Athena now prepares to face the winner of Skye Blue versus Sareee. The women’s side of the bracket looks very competitive.
Mercedes Mone’s recent journey
During her time away from AEW, Mone traveled the independent circuit. She collected several belts and then lost each one. She dropped titles to Nightingale, Persephone, Swan, Mila Smidt, Alexxis Falcon, Diana Strong and Jody Threat. Her recent matches show a relentless drive to improve.
Other highlights from Dynamite
Kevin Knight defended the TNT Championship against former tag partner Speedball Mike Bailey. After the match Knight aligned himself with the Don Callis Family. Meanwhile Thekla, the AEW Women’s World Champion, declared war on her former promotion Stardom ahead of the upcoming Forbidden Door pay‑per‑view.
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Source: Wrestletalk
