All Elite Wrestling (AEW) CEO Tony Khan appears to be repeating the booking strategy WWE employed with Roman Reigns’ extensive title reign. Mercedes Mone, currently holding the AEW TBS Championship, has remained champion since her very first match at Double or Nothing 2024. This extended run has raised concerns among fans and wrestling observers who fear AEW might be falling into the same trap that led to fan fatigue during Reigns’ reign.
How Roman Reigns’ WWE Title Reign Became Predictable
Roman Reigns returned to WWE at SummerSlam 2020 with a new “Tribal Chief” persona, marking a major shift in his career. Aligning with Paul Heyman, he captured the World Championship and went on to hold the title for a historically long period. Early in his reign, Vince McMahon supported Reigns as champion for an extended time, which led to predictable booking as Reigns defeated top contenders like Drew McIntyre and Finn Balor.
Fans grew weary of Reigns’ lengthy dominance, and WWE struggled to elevate other stars during this period until Cody Rhodes ended Reigns’ reign at WrestleMania 40. This drawn-out booking caused many viewers to lose interest, questioning the impact on the overall talent development within WWE.
The Risk of Repeating WWE’s Booking Mistakes with Mercedes Mone
Mercedes Mone has maintained the TBS Championship for over 450 days, making her reign one of the longest in AEW‘s history. Yet, this extended period as champion has triggered negative reactions on social media, with some fans nicknaming her “Mercedes Hogan,” a reference to WWE’s overexposure of Hulk Hogan. Critics argue the TBS title has lost its momentum while resting on Mone’s shoulders.
Industry voices suggest Toni Khan should allow Mercedes Mone to break Jade Cargill’s record for longest TBS Championship reign, then promptly transfer the title to a rising talent such as Athena or Megan Bayne. This move could reinvigorate the division, offering new potential stars a chance to shine and preventing any sense of stagnation within the AEW fanbase.
Mercedes Mone’s Path Forward: Elevation to the AEW World Title Contention
Dropping the TBS Championship would not mean a decline in Mercedes Mone’s standing within AEW. Instead, this could be a launching pad for her to compete for the AEW Women’s World Championship, which she narrowly missed capturing at All In Texas 2025. Renewing a rivalry with Toni Storm, a match Mone has expressed interest in, could offer fresh storylines and elevate the women’s division.
By moving Mone up the card, Tony Khan could avoid repeating the pitfalls seen with Roman Reigns’ reign in WWE, while positioning Mercedes Mone as a leading figure in AEW’s future. This strategy could balance fan interest, diversify championship storylines, and foster emerging talent across the promotion.
