A former WWE competitor has matched a distinct achievement originally set by Mercedes Moné in All Elite Wrestling (AEW). This development occurred amid AEW’s ongoing recruitment efforts, as the company has brought in several notable talents throughout the year.
Last week on AEW Dynamite, Tommaso Ciampa, recently departed from WWE after a decade-long career, made a surprising debut in AEW. Ciampa’s unexpected arrival caught fans off guard, as he had only just announced his exit from WWE days earlier. During his tenure in WWE, Ciampa claimed five championship titles, including two NXT Championship reigns, two NXT Tag Team Championship runs, and one WWE Tag Team Championship reign.
During his AEW debut, Ciampa accepted Mark Briscoe‘s open challenge for the TNT Championship, resulting in a scheduled match set for the upcoming Collision event. In an impressive first performance within AEW, Ciampa won the TNT title, becoming only the second wrestler alongside Mercedes Moné to capture a championship in their initial AEW match. Moné had previously achieved this feat by winning the TBS Championship at AEW’s Double or Nothing event earlier in 2024.
Mercedes Moné’s Current Break from Competition
Mercedes Moné experienced a remarkable 2025, securing championship titles internationally and establishing herself as a major attraction. However, by the year’s end, her momentum slowed as she suffered several key defeats, leading to a challenging period in her career.
Moné lost multiple title matches against competitors such as Leila Grey, Alex Windsor, and Red Velvet. On the final Dynamite show of 2025, she dropped the TBS Championship to Willow Nightingale, ending her noteworthy reign. The subsequent week, Willow publicly embarrassed Moné during her championship celebration segment, adding to the star’s difficulties.
In a video segment on the next episode of Collision, Moné declared her frustration with the disrespect she had endured and announced a pause from wrestling activities. Despite stepping away, she issued a warning to the AEW roster that upon her return, she would be aiming to reclaim more than just championship gold.
The matching accomplishment of winning a title in an AEW debut highlights the rare impact both Ciampa and Moné have made in the promotion. Ciampa’s quick championship win positions him as a significant new figure in AEW, while Moné’s hiatus leaves fans anticipating a compelling comeback that could shake up the competitive landscape. AEW continues to evolve rapidly with such dynamic talent movements, shaping the company’s future storylines and rivalries.
Wrestlers to win belts in their AEW debuts:
Women's: Mercedes Moné (DoN 2024)
Men's: Tommaso Ciampa (Collision 2026) pic.twitter.com/ocuiUhkRXv— Drainmaker (@TheDrainmaker) February 1, 2026
