Mercedes Mone Wants To Take AEW World Title & Willow Nightingale's Smile At All In

Not much time is left before Willow Nightingale and Mercedes Mone meet at AEW All In, with Nightingale's AEW Women's World Championship and a whole lot of pride on the line. It's that pride that separates them from a regular old title match, as the animosity between Nightingale and Mone has boiled over in the weeks leading up to All In. But for Mone, it's heat that's been bubbling over for over three years. 

In an interview with "Daily Star," Mone took everyone back to the finals of the New Japan Strong Women's Championship match between her and Nightingale in 2023, when a legit leg injury led to Nightingale defeating Mone. Mone is not only upset about the loss and the injury, but she's upset that Nightingale showed no remorse over the moment.

"She saw that I was hurt," Mone said. "Not only did she see that I was hurt, but she stood over me after she pinned me and smiled at me. Me, the greatest women's wrestler of all-time. The woman that really pushed this era forward. The woman that made people believe that they could be women's wrestlers. She was smiling at me. Then I chose AEW, and who was there to greet me? Her dumbass.

"I wanted those Tag Team Titles. You know I am the greatest tag team wrestler of all-time. Who was there to beat me? Dumbass Willow. Not only beat me, smiling at me. Then I was on the run of my life. Thirteen belts Mone, the greatest TBS Champion this company has ever seen. Have you ever seen a greater champion? No you have not. Not only did she disrespect me, she threw cake in my face, and brought her little friends to dance all over me, and smile at me. To me, Mercedes Mone, who has been in the game for sixteen years, that is a slap in the face. Come on. How would that make you feel?"

Those defeats at the hands of Nightingale, compared to Mone's lone win against her at AEW Double or Nothing 2024, would seem to give the AEW Women's World Champion a distinct advantage this weekend. But Mone, who is also haunted by the ghost of losing AEW Women's World Championship matches to "Timeless" Toni Storm and Kris Statlander at AEW All In 2025 and AEW Full Gear respectively, is determined that this time things will change, and Mone will not only defeat Nightingale, but win the one title she seems unable to get her hands on.

"Yeah, this one's different, because this a championship that I have been destined to win ever since I got here," Mone said. "Every time I go after this title, what happens? Not only do I want that title, I want her stupid smile too. Now, I want two things. And when there's more things on the line, I get even more excited. So no, it's not another day in the office. Yes, there's pressure. But I was born for this. I stay ready. And I am going to win the AEW Women's World Championship."

If you use any of the quotes in this article, please credit "Daily Star" and provide a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription