Mercedes Moné retains the AEW Women's title against Thekla at WrestleDream

[Leo34]

Mercedes Moné is still AEW Women's World Champion after beating Thekla at WrestleDream. POST Wrestling's Neal Flanagan reports that the match opened the main card at the Addition Financial Arena in Orlando. Moné wrestled in a protective mask because of a nose injury from All In

Thekla gave her a real test. She scored near falls with a diving crossbody, a spear and a curb stomp, and trapped Moné in a modified headscissors. Moné responded with a lungblower, a Meteora and a Romero Special

The finish was classic heel work. Moné removed her mask while referee Stephon Smith was distracted and hit Thekla with it. She then survived an O'Connor roll near fall before landing the Moné Maker for the win

Thekla had earned the title shot by beating Willow Nightingale at All Out. Moné won the title from Nightingale at All In: London on 30 August. Fightful reports separately that Moné has had surgery and that her nose is still very much broken, so wrestling at all was impressive

Using the mask as a weapon was a smart way to work around her injury and tell a story at the same time. Thekla came out looking strong in defeat. A rematch with a stipulation would be easy to build

Was the mask finish a good touch? And does Thekla deserve another title shot?

Mercedes Moné retains AEW Women's World Championship against Thekla at WrestleDream - POST Wrestling | Podcasts, News, Reviews | WWE AEW NXT NJPWwww.postwrestling.com

[HenryThierry]

Opening the main card was a good spot for this match. It set the energy for the night

Women's matches deserve those positions. Card placement sends a message about how a company values its divisions

[Olivia78]

Heel champions cheating to win is classic wrestling. It makes fans want to see them lose. Moné plays the role well

[Raven]

Thekla looked like a star in defeat. The spear and curb stomp got big reactions. She is ready for the top of the division. A rematch would be easy to sell

[NightReaper83]

Willow Nightingale is still lurking too. The division has plenty of challengers

Moné will be busy. A deep division makes every title defence more interesting. AEW has built that well

[Paul73]

Wrestling with a broken nose is tough. Moné deserves credit for showing up

Most people would have taken time off. Toughness like that earns respect from fans and peers alike