-- Mercedes Mone made her expected debut with AEW last week, but not after significant discussions with the promotion as well as with WWE that took place in late 2022 and again in late 2023. The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that talks with WWE broke down because she was looking for more money than the company was willing to offer, suggesting that Mone was seeking "Becky Lynch level money" without getting into specifics.
-- The report added that while it's unknown exactly what Tony Khan offered Mone, sources who would have knowledge of the situation stated that it was "very substantial", higher than WWE's offer of course but lower than the $5 million per year figure that was rumored online. One female star in WWE believed that the money Mone is earning in AEW has made her the highest paid woman in pro wrestling and they were happy at what she got as it sets a standard moving forward that women should be paid as well as the men.
