Mercedes Moné collects belt #11 with win over Mina Shirakawa, but celebration is cut short by Statlander

Image Courtesy: AEW

Mercedes Moné defeated Mina Shirakawa in a winner-takes-all match at AEW WrestleDream, retaining her AEW TBS Championship and capturing the ROH Interim Women’s World TV Championship.

The victory was immediately followed by a confrontation with AEW Women’s World Champion Kris Statlander.

Shirakawa started the match aggressively, applying a Figure Four leg lock that forced Moné to the ropes. Shirakawa mocked Moné’s “CEO” dance before Moné took control, hitting a Backstabber into a Lungblower for a near fall. Moné followed up with the Three Amigos suplexes and a Meteora, but Shirakawa kicked out.

As the match progressed, Shirakawa rallied, countering a Frog Splash and earning loud cheers from the crowd. Shirakawa hit her finisher, the Glamorous Driver, but Moné kicked out.

The finish sequence involved several usages of heel tactics. Moné attempted a pin with her feet on the ropes and a handful of tights, but the referee caught her. Moné then shoved Shirakawa into the referee and poked her opponent in the eye before applying the Statement Maker. Shirakawa escaped and Moné hit the Mone Maker, but Shirakawa managed to get her hand on the bottom rope.

Visibly frustrated, Moné’s next attempt at the Moné Maker was countered. As Shirakawa charged, Moné used a backslide and placed her foot on the rope for leverage to secure the pinfall.

Confetti fell as Moné celebrated with both titles, but Kris Statlander ran to the ring. Moné swung at Statlander, who blocked the punch and hit Moné with a Samoan Drop. Moné retreated as Statlander held her AEW Women’s World Championship in the ring.

 
About Neal Flanagan 1627 Articles
Based in Northern Ireland, Neal Flanagan is a former newspaper journalist and copy editor. In addition to reporting for POST Wrestling, he co-hosts The Wellness Policy and Book Club podcasts.