Mercedes Moné Not "Anchored" to New Japan Pro Wrestling Deal

Mercedes Moné has quickly become one of New Japan's biggest stars, but the former IWGP Women's Champion isn't tied down to the promotion long-term.

Moné debuted for New Japan in January of this year at the company's annual Wrestle Kingdom event and established herself as a heel by attacking KAIRI. Just over one month later, Moné won the IWGP Women's Championship from the 'Pirate Princess' at NJPW Battle in the Valley. The win was Moné's first taste of gold post-WWE and her first wrestling match since walking out of WWE in May 2022.

Fightful Select reports that Moné's relationship with New Japan has been solid and that the wrestling promotion would like to continue working with her. It is also noted that she has not signed a long-term contract, and that "she's not anchored to anything."

Moné hasn't competed for New Japan Pro Wrestling since losing the IWGP Women’s Championship to Mayu Iwatani at the STARDOM All-Star Grand Queendom event. It has been announced that she will be working the NJPW Resurgence event on May 21st.

While she has yet to sign a long-term deal with NJPW, the roster would seemingly be okay with the former WWE Superstar putting pen to paper. On Wrestling Observer Radio, Meltzer noted that Moné is well-received backstage.

Meltzer stated that while a lot of American wrestlers come to Japan and try to big-league things, at least in the past, Moné isn't trying to show off in the company. It was also stated that while Moné is "worldwide more famous than any of these women, she did not come across like that at all."