Mercedes Moné recently faced online backlash after saying, “I am the greatest wrestler to come out of Massachusetts,” on the day of John Cena’s retirement match. Whether she truly believes this or was speaking in character isn’t known, but she angered many. However, she has now been defended by WWE Hall of Famer D-Von Dudley, who, while speaking on Duke Loves Rasslin, says the AEW star has earned the right to boast, given her accomplishments in such a cutthroat business.
Moné, real name Mercedes Varnado, debuted on the independent circuit in 2010, signed with WWE in 2012, and adopted the name Sasha Banks. Subsequently, she became NXT Women’s Champion, five-time Raw Women’s Champion, SmackDown Women’s Champion, three-time Women’s Tag Team Champion, co-headlined WrestleMania 37, and gained mainstream recognition by appearing in The Mandalorian. Still, she left the company in 2022, went on to work for New Japan and, after a long injury hiatus, joined AEW in 2024, being pushed as one of their biggest stars.
