Overview
- Mercedes Moné beat Thekla to keep the AEW Women’s World Championship in the WrestleDream opener when she used her protective face mask and finished with a Moné Maker for the three-count.
- Thekla controlled large stretches of the match and gained a key advantage when Moné’s knee hit the ringpost on a meteora attempt, forcing the champion onto the defensive.
- A visible post-two-count distraction by referee Stefon Smith created the opening that let Moné use her mask as a weapon before landing the finishing move.
- AEW amplified the result on its official social feed and immediate event coverage highlighted the mask, the referee’s reaction, and the match’s placement as the PPV opener.
- Both wrestlers are core figures in AEW’s women’s division and the finish — blending legitimate protective gear and a referee beat — is likely to drive storyline developments and discussion of officiating and safety going forward.