The reign of Mercedes Moné as IWGP Women’s Champion might not last more than another month or so — because her time with New Japan Pro-Wrestling could be over in April as well.
According to Dave Meltzer in his latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter (subscription required), Moné has only a little more than a month left on her deal with Bushiroad, the parent company of NJPW and women’s-focused sister promotion Stardom.
Moné is scheduled to wrestle Mayu Iwatani at Stardom’s All Star Grand Queendom show on April 23, and the outcome of that match could be a big hint toward what she plans on doing after that.
As of right now, Mercedes Mone has no dates left with Bushiroad after the 4/23 Yokohama Arena show. Unless that changes, logic would say she would drop the IWGP title to Mayu Iwatani at that show. If Mone wins, it would mean she’s reached an agreement for a longer deal.
After leaving her Sasha Banks identity behind in WWE earlier this year, Moné made headlines by appearing at Wrestle Kingdom in January, NJPW’s biggest event of the year. She successfully won the IWGP Women’s Championship from Kairi in February in San Jose, becoming only the second woman to hold the relatively new title.
While Moné made it clear while talking to Wrestling Junkie’s Under the Ring podcast that it was an “easy, easy decision” to join NJPW and Stardom because the promotions had wrestlers who would push her in new ways, it’s no surprise that her time there could be brief. She has also spoken about her desire to go on a “world tour” and wrestle in other countries, and Moné also signed with a talent agency in February to pursue opportunities in other areas of entertainment.
And, of course, there’s a school of thought that she will make her way back to WWE after stretching her wings a bit this year. That certainly can’t be ruled out, but it’s apparent right now that she is enjoying her time holding all the cards — and we’ll see which ones Moné decides to play after April 23.