Mercedes Mone used her fan newsletter to respond to some recent criticism from Jonathan Coachman. Coachman commented on Mone during an appearance on the Refin’ It Up podcast in which he was critical of Tony Khan calling Mone AEW’s biggest signing, as well as being critical of Mone’s microphone skills.
Coachman said (h/t to PWInsider):
“I saw Mercedes do an interview and by the way, I don’t really want to insult her too much but AEW people already hate me anyway. She said that they gave her creative control. She said, ‘When I’m on the movie set, when I want the private jet, Tony lets me use it whenever I want.’ Well no wonder she didn’t last in the WWE. Why would she ever get a private jet to use?…which I don’t believe to be true but if he is that stupid, then that’s on Tony Khan…but to say she’s the biggest signing they’ve ever had and she’s the best Diva or whatever….she’s terrible on the microphone. It takes two seconds to listen to her cut a promo and the other day, Britt Baker just ran circles around her in their promo segment when Britt came back. [Britt] Looked amazing by the way. That’s what a star looks like. You’ve got to be able to back it up with the arrogance and Mercedes has never been able to do that in WWE. I don’t know why Tony Khan, but hey, she made all the money, but now she’s getting exposed, because they’re giving her her own mic segments every week and it’s not good and that’s why the crowd the other day told her to shut up. The crowd knows you’ve got to be able to talk and work and she can’t talk and that’s why sometimes she comes on, I turn it off. It makes more people money if they [AEW] do well.”
Mone wrote in her fan newsletter in response to Coachman:
Jonathan Coachman’s Recent Statement
I don’t read Wrestle Press, but Wrestle Press, that centers on me, pops up in my social media feed. I didn’t read the article. I just read the quote in the headline. I’ve been dealing with this kind of stuff for over a decade, so I’m used to it. But I am kind of annoyed with all these dumb old dudes in wrestling coming at me. I know the only reason that they’re doing it is because my name makes people click on their links. My name makes news. Oh yeah, and pretty sure making news makes Moné. Maybe that’s why I get paid what I do? Maybe? Lol. Plus, I’m sure it’s hard to see a young woman know and receive her value – and, not to mention, make a lot more than they do.But hey, either way, they can keep talking about me, whether negatively or positively. It reminds me that I must be doing something right.
Mone’s advocate and producer Keven Undergaro also wrote a piece in the newsletter about the matter, as you can see below:
It always bums me out when people I’m a fan of disappoint me. Love me the Coach from back in the day, and he has always been kind to my wife but what he said about Mercedes seemed extreme and came off as personal. I can’t argue with what happens in the ring. It’s subjective, and I’m just a fan. I can speak to the business of TV, and the business of show: a major part of wrestling. To have a talent on your roster who has broken so many records and barriers, not to mention has such global and internet appeal (is part of the Star Wars franchise, no less), you have an asset that is more highly and diversely monetized. There’s a reason why national brands and sponsors are aligning with the likes of Mercedes and Mercedes alone. It makes my job a whole lot easier. Also, factor in what Mercedes’ brand value brings to those she competes against. The marketing light she shines on opponents increases their individual values.
Mercedes aside, the girls of today have delivered main event after main event. They have more than proven their value. Yet, they still don’t make close to what the top men make, nor do they have the freedom or creative input. The historic deal Tony Khan and Mercedes forged is a needed disruption that will rightfully raise the bar for other women and future deals. Obviously, people are free to say what they want. Like Mercedes said, it’s money when they do, and criticism isn’t a bad thing. As a girl dad, I’d like to see more of that curbed and more of the women in the WNBA, WWE, and AEW, who are rightfully celebrated and elevated. Enough out of me. It’s Mercedes you want to hear from!
