Mercedes Moné retains AEW Women’s Title in WrestleDream opener

entertainmentOct 17, 202643351

Mercedes Moné defeated Thekla to retain the AEW Women’s World Championship in WrestleDream’s opening match, finishing the challenger with the Moné Maker for the three-count. Moné opened with an early headlock, but Thekla fought back after escaping and sent the champion into the barricades before landing a high kick as the crowd voiced support for both wrestlers. Inside the ring Thekla built momentum with a spider suplex, a top-rope stomp and a spear, and she nearly scored after a stomp until Moné stopped the count by placing her foot on the bottom rope. Moné worked through submission attempts, removed a protective face mask and struck Thekla with it, then escaped a pinning combination before landing a second Moné Maker for the deciding fall. The result keeps the AEW Women’s World Championship with Moné after a hard-fought opening defense, per the AEW WrestleDream broadcast and JJA Sport Studio live coverage.

Andrew

@andrewskeets.bsky.social

You know what a fun stat is? The top nine women's matches in length in AEW all feature Mercedes Moné. To anybody who says it's not worth it to bring in women's stars until AEW gives the women's division more time, AEW has already demonstrated it will give time to the stars they bring in.

37Yesterday

Andrew10

If you want more focus on the women's division, push AEW to invest in women's talent. Don't discourage them from doing it.

Andrew4

(Singles matches, I should clarify.)

Pat Maxwell

@maxwellz.bsky.social

Tony Khan you did it again and got the Red Alert theme too #AEW #AEWWrestleDream 🤼

232h ago

Fightful Wrestling

@fightful.com

Thekla gave Mercedes Mone a taste of her own medicine with this taunt! #AEWWrestleDream

274h ago

Tony Miller

@beardedrogue.bsky.social

Many people love Thekla & Kyle Fletcher at least. #AEW

263h ago

Justin | 陳國榮

@justinckw.com

Great defence from Moné and great showing from Thekla! Seems like they've got good chemistry! They def have to run it back!!! Mercedes Moné: モネメーカー | MONÉ MAKER #AEWWrestleDream 🤼‍♂️

174h ago

Gen

@genmasho.bsky.social

Don would be the one to know know when something is "too much hot dogging" #AEW 🤼

143h ago

ghoul dente, convenience BASTARD 🍝

@katbridges.bsky.social

tbh I have no idea, just hope everyone has fun! #AEWWrestleDream #AEWTailgateBrawl 🤼

AEW WrestleDream 2026 match card, with the following wrestlers/teams circled in green: Jon Moxley, Young Bucks, Nick Wayne, Will Ospreay, Mercedes Moné, Tommaso Ciampa, Queen Aminata, and Swerve & the New Level (with a ?, partly because I have no idea and partly because the real winner here will be Drama, Shenanigans, and Romance Tropes)

1610h ago

Mr. Spooky, If You're Nasty2

I'll be so happy if nick wayne pantses jericho because it's high time he starts NJPW Grandad phase

DaMullet1

I respect your hopes and dreams (and in truth Ciampa winning would in fact Fix Me) but that is our point of prediction disagreement.

Docrimbo1

Yeah, the build has been so (understandably) fast that I'm not sure either, I guess? But one thing I love about AEW is I'm wrong most of the time anyway.

Pope Corky IX1

I think Persephone but otherwise agree

Moni 💫🇵🇸

@venusleo.bsky.social

started the wrestledream ppv to see bandido win the second fall and him not eating the pin

122h ago

🏵️ ☾ɾყ⳽tаℓ 🏵️

@crys134.bsky.social

I fucking love Perse but I would LOVE for Aminata to win this. She needs a belt like yesterday!! #AEWWrestleDream #AEW #WrestleSky 🤼‍♂️

113h ago

no average joel

@noaveragejoel.bsky.social

Starting off hot with Mercedes Moné vs. Thekla for the AEW World Championship. My big D-dumbest bitch alive heart is so happy right now. BLOOD IN MY EYES THEKLAAAA CEO CEO CEO CEO CEO CEO CEO #AEWWrestleDream

114h ago

Lavinia[soft butch extraordinaire]

@effeneffervescent.bsky.social

Here's my picks for tonight. There were two matches where I'm hoping for a long shot victory but I'm sure the booking isn't headed that way. I made sure to mark that in pink