Quoted By:
>But is Mercedes Moné even a draw?
>For one, she’s not called “Sasha Banks” any longer. That was the star that everyone remembers and celebrated when she did a major acting role in the Star Wars: Mandalorian show. But her New Japan stuff wasn’t exactly enjoyed or appreciated by fans, particularly her debut and subsequent appearances. Her tenure in NJPW didn’t go well or else she’d appear there more and have crossover appeal. Now, she’s in AEW with a reported hefty contract because Tony overpaid her, too, and now she needs to get over a new name that didn’t previously work when it was tried in New Japan. She’s starting from scratch when AEW needs her to draw now.
>Name changes don’t work… Jon Moxley is an exception to that rule, because from 2019-2021, he brought his best in-ring work into AEW and was one of its finest champions. Many other ex-WWE wrestlers haven’t had such luck in AEW under different names, just as many other ex-WWE wrestlers failed to get any traction in TNA when they had different names, too. While Mercedes is her real name, the “Moné” just doesn’t work and sounds ridiculous.
>And here’s where THEME MUSIC matters… The Rock still has his Jim Johnston theme kicking, though I’m sure others have composed on his recent one… But on Smackdown this Friday, he incorporated his 2003 Hollywood Rock theme into his music. Older WWE fans lost their minds and it set the table for a very strong segment on Smackdown. What did Mercedes Monéhave as her theme music? Piped in “CEO, CEO, CEO” chants in attempts to induce live attendees to chant “CEO” at her while her terrible new theme music played.
