Mercedes Martinez Felt She Was Put 'On The Shelf' In AEW

Former AEW star Mercedes Martinez detailed when she decided that 2026 would be her final year in pro wrestling, a decision she attributed to not being used in AEW over the past two years.

She became a free agent at the end of 2025, bringing to an end her five-year run with AEW. Martinez, who has been a part of the pro wrestling industry since 2000, announced at the start of the year that she would retire in 2026, which she said in an interview with "The A2theK Wrestling Show" was due to being on the shelf in AEW. 

"I think it happened last year when being contracted, especially with AEW and not being utilized to my full potential, kind of brought me into that weird space headspace of like, am I really, like, can I still hang with the females? Can I still hang with the top tier? Do I still have a lot to prove? Do I have anything to prove left? I'm blessed for the opportunity that Tony gave me for the last four years, but it felt like the last year, year and a half, almost two years, I kind of just sat on the shelf not doing anything for the company. And it kind of messes with your mind a lot. It kind of just makes you think, am I worth it. Does he really, you know, want to utilize my talent and my expertise?"

Martinez acknowledged that her wrestling style may not necessarily translate well to the TV format and wondered if some wrestlers were reluctant to step into the ring with her. She said she had pitched a few ideas during her time with AEW, but they didn't come to fruition. Martinez revealed that when she realized AEW didn't want to renew her deal, she decided to bid farewell to pro wrestling on her own terms, in the style she loves and has practiced throughout her career.