As seen on this week’s episode of AEW Dynamite, Saraya announced Toni Storm as her partner to take on Jamie Hayter and Britt Baker at the show that will take place the following week in Los Angeles.
This was in spite of claims that Saraya would team up with Mercedes Monè (previously Sasha Banks), and Baker referring to herself as “the boss” (Mercedes’ WWE ring name) during Dynamite.
Dave Meltzer of F4WOnline.com discussed the situation on Wrestling Observer Radio. He said, “I was told a bunch of stuff so, and it was very clear on the show tonight, she (Mercedes Monè) is not in Los Angeles, she is not coming to AEW. I don’t think she wants to make that commitment because if she goes to AEW its a long term commitment”
When asked if Mercedes Monè is in the match, AEW employees have reportedly been remarkably silent. According to Meltzer, employees have actually denied it, including those who are actually participating in the match.
“I’ve heard denials from AEW people in the match,” Meltzer said.
He continued, “They knew it was really screwed, because thats why they had to announce someone this Week because they knew it was really screwed because everybody was thinking it was her, but it wasn’t her”
Meltzer added, “Anything’s possible. I also know from WWE that they are very strongly under the impression that she will not wrestle for AEW. They think that shes coming back at some point, she’ll get this out of her system, she’ll do her New Japan matches, because you know she’s only contracted for a couple matches, and then come back. But if shes going to AEW she’s got to sign for 3 years minimum because why even bother if shes gonna go right back. For AEW it would really stupid to put her on TV if shes gonna go back in 6 months and I don’t know if she wants to make that commitment that she cant go back, which again with New Japan for a short term deal for just a couple of dates, yeah she can go back at the end of that deal but when it comes to an AEW deal for a couple years, she cant go back for a couple years. Again thats the impression, you know, but again what will happen? I just know that everyone over in Japan and everything, everybody was just saying this was a New Japan deal and not an AEW deal”
As PWMania.com previously reported, according to DAZN’s Steve Muehlhausen, Monè will be there next week, so we’ll see what happens. Muehlhausen tweeted, “Sources: Mercedes Varnado will be Saraya’s partner next week in #AEWDynamite in LA against Britt Baker and Jamie Hayter. Couldn’t announce or make a major hint due to her being still under contract to WWE until the beginning of 2023.”
(h/t to WrestlePurists.com for the transcription)
