Mercedes Moné Explains What Attracts Her To Japanese Wrestling
Mercedes Moné has opened up about what she likes about Japanese wrestling while also revealing when she’ll wrestle in front of the fans in Japan.
The highly-anticipated NJPW in-ring debut of Mercedes Mone is this Saturday, February 18th at Battle In The Valley in San Jose, California. Mone, who recently broke down in tears talking about living her dream, will challenge KAIRI for the IWGP Women’s Championship.
In an interview with the Under The Ring podcast, Mercedes talked about what excites her about the Japanese wrestling style.
“I think it’s just the realism that comes from it. Feels like a real legit fight and sport. In the United States, it’s really about the entertainment aspect, but in Japan, it’s about the athleticism and the sport of wanting to beat your opponent.”
As she continued, Mercedes Mone spoke about being at the Muta-Nakamura match in earlier this year in Japan. She also confirmed she’ll be wrestling in Japan this April.
“I actually got to be at Pro-Wrestling NOAH, for Nakamura and Great Muta’s match and to hear the crowd and just to hear the different receptions of how their energy is presented when they watch wrestling. It’s so just magnifying where I’m just like, ‘That’s what I want to hear. That’s what I want to experience.’ It’s just timeless.”
“They’re just so transformed into watching and feeling it instead of just being overall entertained. They’re just like, ‘Wow, [claps]’ they just treat it with so much respect that I’m just like, I can’t wait to perform in April in Tokyo.”
Mercedes Mone was asked about what the crowd reaction might be like for her at Battle in the Valley this Saturday in San Jose.
“I’m not quite sure due to it being an American crowd and the first time that I’m performing in nine months, I expect the fans to be really loud. That’s what I want. I want to bring the American culture to Japan as well to let them know that they can be loud and go over the top, but tomorrow night, I’m not quite sure what the reaction is going to be.”
“I don’t know if they’re just going to be quiet and just into watching and just cheering for good things, or they’re just going to be so loud and into it, which I’m hoping and expecting it to be. I just expect it to be awesome. Because it’s a sold-out crowd. It’s a sold-out Civic Center. I just think it’s going to be one of the best pay-per-views of this year. I mean, the card is so stacked, and as a wrestling fan alone. I’m excited just to sit back and watch as well.”
The match between Mercedes Mone and KAIRI will be Mone’s first match since she last wrestled in WWE as Sasha Banks in May 2022.