Mercedes Moné retained the AEW Women’s World Championship against Thekla in the first official match of AEW WrestleDream.
Moné pinned Thekla with the Moné Maker on Saturday at Addition Financial Arena in Orlando, Florida.
Thekla began the match by immediately targeting Moné, who was still wearing a protective face mask following the nose injury she suffered at All In.
The challenger escaped an early Statement Maker and later sent Moné into the barricade before scoring a near fall with a diving crossbody.
Moné took control with a lungblower and Meteora before applying a Romero Special. Thekla recovered and hit a spider suplex from the ropes, followed by a double stomp to Moné’s back and a spear for two.
Thekla later trapped Moné in a modified headscissors submission, but the champion reached the ropes. A subsequent curb stomp also produced only a two-count after Moné again got a foot on the bottom rope.
The finish came after Moné removed her protective mask while referee Stephon Smith was occupied with Thekla.
Moné struck Thekla with the mask and attempted the Moné Maker. Thekla countered into an O’Connor Roll for a close near fall, but Moné avoided another curb stomp and hit the Moné Maker to retain.
Thekla earned the title shot by defeating Willow Nightingale at All Out. Moné won the championship from Nightingale at All In: London on August 30.
She subsequently missed All Out because of the nose injury suffered at Wembley Stadium before returning to action in late September.
