Mercedes Mone, who has built a reputation as a dominant force in professional wrestling since joining AEW, surprised fans by adopting a new nickname that hints at a John Cena connection. The revelation stirred conversation among the AEW community, as Mone flaunted her growing title collection and referenced the WWE champion in a recent social media exchange.
Mercedes Mone Embraces a Bold New Persona
Since arriving at AEW last year, Mercedes Mone has rapidly ascended to the top, earning the distinction of “The CEO” and amassing five championship titles. Her latest triumph came at EWA Prater Catchen in Vienna, Austria, where she secured the EWA Women’s Championship, adding to her resume as the reigning TBS Champion.
In a video she posted on Instagram, Mone displayed all her championship belts and spoke openly about her “global domination.” Among the many reactions from fans, one person commented, “Mercedes Hogan I see,” referencing another wrestling icon. Mone quickly countered in the comments with the reply, “Mercedes Cena,” playfully adopting a moniker reminiscent of John Cena, the reigning WWE Champion.
This nod to Cena is especially notable as Mone, formerly known as Sasha Banks, previously worked alongside Cena during her tenure with WWE. While she has expressed respect for John Cena, there is no specific reason provided for why she chose to align her new nickname with him at this moment, making the move even more intriguing to fans and fellow wrestlers alike.
Potential Rivalry Looms with Deonna Purrazzo
Amid the buzz about her nickname and championship wins, Mercedes Mone was also recently called out by AEW star Deonna Purrazzo, suggesting a high-profile match could be on the horizon. Purrazzo, celebrated for her technical wrestling ability, raised the possibility of a submission-focused showdown between herself and Mone while speaking on the Lightweights podcast.
“A submission match [against] Mercedes Moné. I just think we’ve both, like, established careers on our submissions. Me with the Fujiwara, primarily in WWE with her with the Bank Statement. I just think that the wrestler she is, and she is very much a technician in her own right, and so am I, we can make magic, particularly with a submission match.”
—Deonna Purrazzo, AEW star
The suggestion highlights both wrestlers’ reputations for technical mastery in the ring, with Purrazzo’s Fujiwara armbar and Mone’s Bank Statement submission moves seen as signature finishers. If the match comes to fruition, it would be a compelling contest for fans of technical wrestling and elevate the ongoing narrative in AEW’s women’s division.
What the John Cena Connection Means for AEW
Mercedes Mone’s adoption of the “Mercedes Cena” nickname has energized discussions among AEW fans, particularly those interested in the evolving interplay between former WWE stars making their mark in AEW. The John Cena connection with Mercedes Mone new nickname may not signify an alliance, but it signals Mone’s willingness to blend legacy and innovation as she cements her place in the wrestling world.
As anticipation grows around a possible submission match with Deonna Purrazzo and Mone continues her run as multiple-title holder, her embrace of the new nickname demonstrates how she continues to shape her own path. The wrestling world will be watching closely to see whether these recent developments lead to the next big moment in AEW, both in and out of the ring.
