Mercedes Mone Addresses WWE’s Recently Announced Counter-Programming Strategy

Mercedes Mone Dismisses WWE Scheduling as AEW Dominance Looms

Published: 2025-08-21

AEW TBS Champion mercedes Mone has responded with dismissiveness to WWE’s decision to schedule a competing event on the same date as AEW’s All Out: Toronto.

WWE and AEW Clash in Scheduling Battle

World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) recently announced WrestlePalooza, slated to air live on ESPN on September 20. This date directly conflicts with All Elite Wrestling’s (AEW) All Out: Toronto pay-per-view event. Industry analysts view this scheduling as a deliberate attempt by WWE to counter-program AEW, mirroring past strategies in the professional wrestling landscape.

The move has sparked discussions about the ongoing rivalry between the two wrestling giants,a competition that has intensified as AEW’s founding in 2019. WWE’s return to ESPN adds a new dimension to the battle for viewership and market share. According to Nielsen data from Q2 2025, ESPN saw a 12% increase in sports viewership, possibly influencing WWE’s decision to align with the network.

Mone’s Bold Response: “I’m always Better”

In a recent interview with TV Insider, Mercedes Mone, the current AEW TBS Champion, was directly asked about WWE’s scheduling strategy and whether it presented a concern for AEW. Mone unequivocally dismissed the situation, asserting her confidence in AEW’s superior product.

“I don’t watch them. I don’t care about them,” Mone stated firmly. “I’m ‘eight Belts Mone.’ I’m a champion of so many different companies. So, the more the merrier. If they want to put on wrestling shows while we have wrestling shows, I’m always going to be better. I’m always better. That’s why I call myself ‘The CEO.’ They can keep on doing whatever they want to do, but AEW is taking over. If you want to watch the best, good wrestling, watch AEW.”

Forbidden Door and the Future of Women’s Wrestling

Mone is preparing to defend her TBS Championship at this Sunday’s AEW & NJPW’s Forbidden Door event in London. She will be competing in a four-way match against Alex Windsor, Persephone, and Bozilla. While Forbidden Door does not directly clash with WWE’s NXT Heatwave, its timing-taking place in the afternoon while Heatwave is scheduled later that night-is strategically notable.

Beyond the immediate competition, Mone highlighted the growth and influence of AEW’s women’s division. “I work with whoever Tony wants me to work with,” she explained.”That’s why I’m ‘The CEO.’ That’s why I came here because I watched the women,and said,’This is the place for me to be because there is so much passion and drive.’ We legit have the greatest women’s division in all of professional wrestling.” She lauded talents like Toni storm, Athena, Kris Statlander, and Willow, emphasizing a significant increase in opportunities, match time, and compelling storylines for female wrestlers within AEW over the past year and a half.

The Evolution of wrestling Competition

The ongoing rivalry between WWE and AEW represents a significant shift in the professional wrestling landscape. For years, WWE dominated the industry. The emergence of AEW provided the first viable national competition in decades, leading to increased innovation, more opportunities for wrestlers, and ultimately, a better product for fans. The rise of streaming services and alternative media platforms have further contributed to this democratization of wrestling content. As of July 2025, AEW’s viewership across all platforms has grown by 25% year-over-year, indicating a strengthening fanbase.

Wrestling Promotion	Founded	Key Strengths
WWE	1952	Global Brand Recognition, Extensive History, Large-Scale Production
AEW	2019	Innovative Storytelling, Focus on in-Ring Action, Strong Women’s Division

Did you Know? The term “counter-programming” has been used in television for decades, referring to networks scheduling shows opposite popular events on competing channels.

Pro Tip: Stay updated on the latest wrestling news and schedules through reputable sources like Wrestling Inc. and PWInsider.

Frequently Asked Questions about the WWE-AEW Rivalry

• What is counter-programming in wrestling? Counter-programming involves scheduling a competing event at the same time as a major event from a rival promotion,aiming to steal viewership.
• Why is Mercedes Mone confident about AEW’s success? Mone believes AEW has a superior product and a stronger focus on quality wrestling, particularly within its women’s division.
• What is the significance of the Forbidden Door event? Forbidden door is a collaborative event between AEW and New Japan Pro-Wrestling, showcasing talent from both promotions.
• How has the women’s division evolved in AEW? According to Mone,the AEW women’s division has seen significant growth in opportunities,match time,and storyline depth in the past year and a half.
• What is the role of ESPN in the WWE-AEW competition? WWE’s partnership with ESPN provides increased exposure and potentially a larger audience reach.

What are your thoughts on the current state of professional wrestling? Do you think WWE’s strategy will impact AEW’s All Out event? Share your opinions in the comments below!

How does Mercedes Mone’s move too NJPW/AEW influence the current competitive landscape between WWE and the AEW/NJPW partnership?

The Stakes Are High: WWE vs. NJPW/AEW

WWE’s recent announcement of a major event on February 17th, 2024 – directly competing with New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) and All Elite Wrestling’s (AEW) “Forbidden Door II” – sent shockwaves through the professional wrestling world. This is a clear, aggressive counter-programming strategy, and Mercedes Mone (formerly Sasha Banks) has now publicly addressed the situation, offering insights into the implications for the industry and her own career trajectory. The move is widely seen as a direct challenge to AEW’s growing momentum and NJPW’s established international presence. Key terms surrounding this event include wrestling pay-per-views, pro wrestling competition, and WWE strategy.

Mone’s Initial Reaction & Social Media Commentary

Mercedes Mone,who made a highly publicized jump to NJPW/AEW in early 2023,initially responded to the WWE announcement with a series of cryptic social media posts. These posts,analyzed by wrestling fans and media outlets,were interpreted as a mixture of amusement and defiance.

Initial Tweets: Mone’s first tweets alluded to the “power of choice” for wrestling fans, suggesting they now have a compelling alternative to WWE’s programming.

Instagram Story: An Instagram story featured a picture of a chessboard, widely interpreted as a metaphor for the strategic battle unfolding between the wrestling promotions.

Direct Engagement: Mone directly responded to fan questions on X (formerly Twitter), stating she was “focused on building something special” with NJPW/AEW and wasn’t concerned with WWE’s attempts to overshadow their event. This highlights the AEW/NJPW partnership and its importance.

The Impact on the Forbidden Door II Card

The WWE event’s scheduling has undoubtedly put pressure on NJPW/AEW to deliver a truly exceptional “Forbidden Door II” card. Industry analysts predict increased marketing spend and potential last-minute additions to the lineup to counteract WWE’s presence.

Potential Matchups: Rumors are circulating about potential dream matches being fast-tracked for “Forbidden Door II,” including a possible clash between Will Ospreay and Kenny omega.

Ticket Sales: Early ticket sales for “Forbidden door II” were strong, but the WWE announcement has introduced an element of uncertainty. Monitoring ticket sales data will be crucial.

Fan Engagement: NJPW/AEW are heavily relying on fan loyalty and the unique appeal of inter-promotional wrestling to maintain momentum. Wrestling fan demographics are a key factor here.

Mone’s Role in NJPW/AEW’s Response

Mercedes Mone is positioned as a central figure in NJPW/AEW’s response to WWE’s challenge. Her star power and mainstream appeal are vital to attracting a wider audience to the “Forbidden Door II” event.

Championship Status: Mone currently holds the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship, adding prestige to the event.

Marketing Focus: NJPW/AEW are prominently featuring Mone in their promotional materials, emphasizing her status as a top-tier female wrestler.

Potential Opponents: Speculation is rife about Mone’s opponent for “Forbidden Door II,” with several high-profile names being considered. This is driving wrestling news coverage.

The Broader Implications for the Wrestling Industry

This clash between WWE and NJPW/AEW represents a significant turning point in the professional wrestling landscape. It signals a renewed era of competition and challenges the long-held dominance of WWE.

Increased Competition: The rivalry is forcing all promotions to innovate and improve their product to attract and retain fans.

Talent Mobility: The increased competition is also creating more opportunities for wrestlers to explore different promotions and pursue their careers on their own terms. This impacts wrestling contracts and wrestler negotiations.

Fan Benefit: Ultimately, the competition benefits wrestling fans by providing them with a wider range of options and a more diverse wrestling product. The future of professional wrestling is being shaped by these events.

Real-World Example: WCW vs. WWF (The Monday Night Wars)

This situation echoes the “Monday Night Wars” of the 1990s, when World Championship Wrestling (WCW) challenged WWF (now WWE) for industry supremacy. WCW’s aggressive tactics, including signing established WWF stars, initially gained ground, but ultimately, WWF emerged victorious. The lessons from this period – the importance of compelling storylines, strong character progress, and consistent quality – are relevant to the current situation. Analyzing historical wrestling trends provides valuable context.

Benefits of Increased Competition

Higher Quality Programming: Promotions are incentivized to deliver better matches,storylines,and overall production value.

Greater Wrestler Empowerment: Wrestlers have more leverage in negotiations and can choose promotions that align with their career goals.

* Expanded fan Base: Competition attracts new fans to the sport and expands the overall wrestling audience.