The NJPW/Stardom status of Mercedes Moné is currently up in the air.
Moné has not wrestled since suffering a broken ankle at NJPW Resurgence on May 21st. She competed in the tournament to crown the inaugural NJPW Strong Women’s Champion, defeating Stephanie Vaquer in the opening round but then losing to Willow Nightingale in the finals due to the ankle injury from that same match.
The Wrestling Observer revealed today that there are currently no plans for Moné to return to NJPW or Stardom anytime soon.
It was reported in early October that NJPW had plans to do Moné vs. current Strong Women’s Champion Giulia as soon as Moné is medically cleared, indicating that her return was probably not that far away. However, the latest update from The Observer stated the following:
“While this can change, right now there are no dates scheduled for Moné with New Japan or Stardom or for the singles match with Giulia for the title that was created for Moné and planned for when she was ready to return. Evidently, when she’s ready to return they have to decide on costs and dates.”
Moné was originally scheduled to win the championship at Resurgence but an audible was called when the ankle injury occurred, and Giulia then won the championship from Nightingale at NJPW Independence Day on July 5.
Moné was still wearing a full cast on her foot when she attended AEW All In on August 27th.
Giulia is scheduled to defend the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship against Trish Adora at Battle In The Valley 2024 on January 13th in San Jose, CA. Battle In The Valley 2023, which was also held in San Jose, is where Moné made her NJPW in-ring debut by defeating Kairi Sane to become the second IWGP Women’s Champion. She dropped that championship to Mayu Iwatani at Stardom’s All-Star Grand Queendom event on April 23rd.