This past weekend the IWGP Women’s championship changed hands during the NJPW Battle in the Valley. The former WWE star Mercedes Mone (FKA Sasha Banks) captured her first championship since leaving WWE. Leading up to the match with KAIRI, Mercedes made bold ambitions to defend the IWGP Women’s championship everywhere around the world. Let’s take a look at potential challengers for Mone and the still freshly established IWGP Women’s championship.
Potential Opponents for Mercedes Mone
ZM
The 2-time STARDOM High-Speed champion seems to be the first STARDOM regular for Mercedes Mone. AZM answered the request of the now IWGP Women’s champion during the recent STARDOM press conference. This singles match is more than likely gonna go down sometime in April at the All-Star Grand Queendom pay-per-view on April 23. AZM is one of the best women’s wrestlers under the age of 30 currently and this is her chance to show the world just how good she is in the squared circle.
Miyu Yamashita
The current Ace of TJPW and EVE champion within Pro Wrestling EVE has openly expressed interest in facing Mercedes and the latter called out Miyu Yamashita in her first NJPW debut interview following WrestleKingdom 17 earlier this year. This match seems more likely to happen on a United States indie show such as Deadlock Pro or Prestige Wrestling.
Mickie James
The current IMPACT Knockouts World Champion Mickie James has continually called out Mercedes since it was announced the latter was leaving WWE. The two never actually faced off in a singles match during their time together in WWE. This singles match would for sure happen on IMPACT pay-per-view and might get the main event slot. The already announced IMPACT/NJPW crossover show on March 30th in Los Angeles could be a great place for this match.
Starlight Kid
The current Oedo Tai member and former Goddess of STARDOM Tag Team Champion Starlight Kid has been called out by Mercedes Mone and a singles match will probably happen before the year ends. Whenever the match does occur, hopefully, the IWGP Women’s champion is prepared for the antics of Oedo Tai and their nefarious sneaky tactics.
Giulia
The current World of STARDOM Champion Giulia wants anyone to step up from around the world and challenge her for the World of STARDOM Championship. Mercedes is the perfect opponent for this Giulia main event STARDOM run. Their singles match would make for a fantastic outing on any pay-per-view lineup. Both women have an international presence to them and the wrestling world would definitely be hyped for this match if it’s made official.
Aja Kong
A living legend in the sport of professional wrestling. Aja Kong was one of the 1st names that Mercedes stated as a dream opponent in her NJPW debut interview earlier this year. Mercedes Mone vs. Aja Kong would be a lit match and this would be a dream come true for the IWGP Women’s Champion. This match would be looked back on many years from now as a massive win for women’s wrestling and every fan who supports women’s wrestling.
Mayu Iwatani
The Icon of STARDOM and a bona fide legend in her own right. When the IWGP Women’s Championship was created everyone had Mayu Iwatani locked in as the first champion but her time will come in the near future to get another shot at the newly established championship within joshi wrestling. Mercedes vs. Mayu will be the best women’s match in modern pro wrestling history when it ultimately occurs.
Potential Opponents for Mercedes Mone: In Conclusion
Honorable mentions: Maki Itoh, Deonna Purrazzo, Momo Watanabe, Masha Slamovich, Hikaru Shida, Mariah May, Jungle Kyona, ASUKA/VENY, Chihiro Hashimoto, Mina Shirakawa, Athena, and Utami Hayashista.
Mercedes Mone as the reigning IWGP Women’s champion is gonna raise the stock even more of women’s wrestling and STARDOM.
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