On April 23rd at Stardom’s All Star Grand Queendom event at the Yokohama Arena, Mercedes Moné lost her IWGP Women’s Championship to Mayu Iwatani in what many had hailed as a dream match in the build-up to the show. Moné had captured the title in February against KAIRI and had defended the title earlier this month against both AZM and Hazuki at NJPW’s Sakura Genesis show.
Speaking on Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer provided an insight into how the former multi-time WWE Women’s Champion has been received backstage since arriving in Japan, noting that he’s heard nothing but good things.
“She was very well received backstage…..I heard nothing, but….she’s really trying to fit in. No complaints about doing the job here. No big league or whatever, she did not act like ‘I’m a big…a lot of times when American stars come to Japan, they act like they’re big stars. Less now, but in the old days, it was pretty prevalent. And she had none of that. She’s worldwide more famous than any of these women, but she did not come across like that at all. Very well received,”
-Dave Meltzer
Despite losing her title, Moné isn’t done with NJPW and Stardom just yet, as she reportedly agreed to a contract extension just hours before All Star Grand Queendom began. She’s since been announced for NJPW’s Resurgence show, set to take place on May 21st in Long Beach, California.
Elsewhere on the show, Tam Nakano shockingly defeated Giulia to capture the World of Stardom Championship, whilst Saya Kamitani’s record-breaking Wonder of Stardom Championship reign came to an end at the hands on Mina Shirakawa.
H/T to WrestlingNews.co for the transcription.
