AEW fans packed the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey for AEW Full Gear 2024, and there were several reasons to watch the show. Mercedes Mone was there to prove that she is still the CEO.
Mercedes Mone walked into AEW Full Gear 2024 as a double champion, with the NJPW Strong Womens Title and AEW TBS Championship, but she only put one title on the line in New Jersey. Kris Statlander was there to take the TBS Championship from the former Sasha Banks to start her second reign as champion.
Interestingly enough, Kris Statlander is the only woman who has a win against Jade Cargill in AEW. In the period of time that included Cargills WWE debut, Mercedes Mone showed up to take over the womens division with her own brand of arrogant charisma, while receiving special treatment in the process.
This match was the third on the main pay-per-view, right after MJF beat Roderick Strong via submission. The New Jersey crowd was more than ready to say hello to their CEO, but Kris Statlander also had a fair amount of fans in the building. This match also got a nice big fight feel with Justin Roberts introductions.
Mercedes Mone got off to a quick start as she started laying in the punches on her opponent. Then, Statlander was able to use her size advantage to reverse a suplex and turn it into a press slam and a flipping senton for a two count. Obviously, Kris Statlander wanted to become a two-time AEW TBS Champion.
They eventually moved to the floor at ringside, where Statlander took a bump into the steel ring steps. She took a bit before getting back in, where Mercedes Mone was waiting for her to continue the assault.
Mercedes Mone landed her double knees, but Statlander kicked out at the two count. Then Kris Statlander reversed an Irish Whip into the corner, but Mercedes countered that by driving Kris head into the middle turnbuckle and then landing another double knees for a two count.
Frustration was growing from the TBS Champion as Kris Statlander kept kicking out of everything she tried. Then Mercedes nailed a sunset flip into the corner and another pair of knees for a two count once again. Then Mone gave a very shocked and angry look after Kris kicked out of that one.
Mercedes Mone moved onto a stretching submission hold next with a straight jacket. Kris was able to get out of that and counter Mercedes attempt for a swinging DDT before she caught Mercedes attempt at another double knees to drive her into the corner. Mercedes simply went to the well too many times on that one before Statlander finally reversed it.
They continued and Mercedes Mone eventually got her Bank Statement move on, but Kris got out of it. Statlander teased a power move, but Mercedes got out to hit a backstabber for a two count. Things were heating up in a big way in this contest, as the New Jersey fans chanted for both competitors evenly at this point.
Mercedes Mone went to the top rope, and she landed her double knees once again for a two count. Money threw a little temper tantrum after Kris Statlander kicked out of that one. She was getting very frustrated, and she wanted to close out the match in a hurry. Then Kris Statlander landed a backbreaker and a discus lariat for a two count of her own.
They continued on and Statlander almost got a three count after a Staturday Night Fever, but Mercedes Mone kicked out. Mercedes returned fire with a spiked DDT of her own for a two count. Then Mone screamed at the top of her lungs in anger.
Mercedes Mone was caught off the top rope and slammed down for a very close two count. They continued and Mercedes rolled out of the way of a 450 Splash from Statlander, and then Mone started hammering away at Stats knee.
Mone then climbed up to the top rope and hit a splash on Kris Statlanders knee for a two count. She was not happy about Stats kickout that time, either. Then, Mercedes nailed two backstabbers and her finisher for the closest two count of the night so far. The New Jersey fans were on fire after that kickout, as a championship change seemed to be in the air.
Eventually, Mercedes got out of a Staturday Night Fever by biting Statlanders leg. Then she pulled off a roll-up pin for the win. This was a very close contest, and Mercedes Mone was almost shocked to pull off the win. In the end, The CEO will fight another day as a double champion.
Do you think AEW has the right idea with Mercedes Mones creative direction? Let us know what you think in the comments section!
