AEW wrestler Swerve Strickland has praise for Mercedes Mone, as he recently talked about her debut in AEW.
Strickland talked to Bootleg Kev at the Rolling Loud music festival, where he talked about a number of topics such as bloody matches in wrestling, CM Punk’s tenure in AEW, and Mercedes Mone making her way to the Jacksonville, Florida-based wrestling company.
Strickland was asked about the “big contract” of Mone, as she is reportedly making bank at the company, which is said to be sufficient enough to establish her as the highest-paid woman in wrestling.
We\’re building a dynasty now in AEW,” Strickland said. “For what she can do for women\’s wrestling, not just for AEW, but across the industry period, it\’s pivotal. She\’s a matriarch for that. I\’ve never seen a women\’s free agent make that kind of noise, ever. She\’s top billing. She\’s worth it. Hopefully that challenges other industries to boost the revenue for other female wrestlers.
Big Business
Mone was in talks with WWE before joining AEW, and hit a financial roadblock with the company when talks were ongoing. Mone reportedly didn’t want to be paid more than her peers in the women’s roster, but she did want her financial compensation to be equivalent of the top stars. While that didn’t work out for her and WWE, AEW was down with it.
Mercedes Mone’s massive contract sets a positive precedence in the professional wrestling industry, as it increases the value of female wrestlers and how much they can be paid. It’s also a testament to the fact that maintaining a social media following and connecting with fans is really important as a wrestler.
Mone’s debut at Big Business was certainly massive, and it remains to be seen what’s in store for her next In AEW. For more, you can read about the drama between Britt Baker and Mone, and what Adam Copeland has to say about him and Mone’s work in the AEW as WWE alumni.