Tonight at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door, AEW TBS Champion Mercedes Mon sought to reclaim the championship she has long claimed was "made for her" in a title-for-title match against NJPW STRONG Women's Champion, Stephanie Vaquer. "The CEO" won the match to become a double champion, but after her victory, a returning Britt Baker (D.M.D.) drove the Long Island crowd to their feet in appreciation.
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Vaquer proved tough competition for the TBS Champion. From diving to the outside onto Mon to driving "The CEO's" head into the mat several times, Vaquer was only able to be stopped when Mon countered Vaquer's top-rope dive with a dropkick. Vaquer and Mon went crossface-for-crossface, and nearly defended her title after a devastating Dragon Screw to Mon's knee. Mon attempted to land the Mon Maker several times, and despite Vaquer's best efforts, Mon not only landed her finisher, but transformed the devastating face-plant into a crossface to win via submission.
The Long Island crowd did not take kindly to the new Boston-based NJPW STRONG Women's and TBS Champion. However, a returning Baker assuaged their fears, as the Pennsylvania talent made her long-awaited return to stare down the new double champion. The segment ended with Mon's defiant stare as she held both titles up to beckon Baker, who turned and walked back down the tunnel.
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Baker has been sidelined with a back injury since September 2023, after she took a loss to then-TBS Champion Kris Statlander. On a media call two days before Forbidden Door, Tony Khan named Baker as one of several AEW stars slated to return from injury, along with Kenny Omega, Jamie Hayter, and Adam Cole.
