Mercedes Moné Not Medically Cleared for AEW All Out; WrestleDream Return Planned

AEW Women’s World Champion Mercedes Moné will not defend her championship at All Out on September 26 after failing to receive medical clearance.

AEW announced the news during the September 16 episode of Dynamite, confirming that Moné has been removed from the Chicago-area pay-per-view. The company is currently advertising her return for WrestleDream on October 17 in Orlando, Florida.

Mercedes Moné Pulled From All Out

Moné’s absence leaves one of AEW’s biggest stars—and its top women’s championship—off the All Out lineup.

According to Cageside Seats’ report, Moné reportedly suffered a broken nose during her championship victory at All In. AEW has publicly confirmed only that she is not medically cleared, without providing a detailed diagnosis or recovery timeline.

There has been no indication that Moné will be forced to relinquish the AEW Women’s World Championship. The current plan appears to be keeping the title on her while the women’s division determines her next challenger.

Removing a champion from a major pay-per-view is never ideal, but keeping Moné out of the ring until she receives full medical clearance is the responsible decision. No championship match is worth risking a wrestler’s long-term health.

Willow Nightingale and Thekla Will Compete for a Title Opportunity

Although Moné will not wrestle at All Out, her next championship program will begin during the event.

Willow Nightingale and Thekla are scheduled to meet in a No. 1 contender’s match. The winner will earn an AEW Women’s World Championship opportunity against Moné at WrestleDream.

The match gives both women a significant opportunity.

Willow has already established herself as one of AEW’s most popular and dependable performers. Her history with Moné would also give a potential championship match an immediate personal foundation.

Thekla, meanwhile, could use a victory to move directly into the highest-profile program of her AEW career. Her aggressive style and distinctive presentation would make her a very different opponent for the champion.

The contender’s match is now one of the most consequential women’s matches on the updated All Out card.

Will Moné Definitely Wrestle at WrestleDream?

AEW is currently planning for Moné to defend her championship at WrestleDream on October 17. However, an advertised return date should not be interpreted as a guarantee of medical clearance.

Her participation will ultimately depend on her recovery and the decision of AEW’s medical team. If Moné has not been cleared by October 17, the company may need to postpone the championship match or establish an interim plan for the division.

For now, WrestleDream provides AEW with several additional weeks to monitor her recovery while continuing the title story through Nightingale and Thekla.

The situation allows Moné to remain visible without immediately returning to physical competition. Promos, interviews and appearances from the champion could help maintain interest in the eventual title defense while avoiding unnecessary contact.

A Significant Loss for All Out

Moné’s removal is still a major blow to All Out.

As AEW Women’s World Champion, she is expected to occupy an important position on the company’s biggest events. Her presence also provides additional attention for whichever opponent enters the championship program.

The decision to replace a title defense with a contender’s match keeps the division represented, but the two matches do not carry the same promotional weight. Fans purchasing a pay-per-view expect to see the company’s champions compete whenever possible.

AEW can minimize that loss by giving Nightingale and Thekla sufficient time and presenting their match as more than a placeholder. The winner will not simply receive a future opportunity—she will potentially become the first wrestler to challenge Moné following an injury that interrupted her reign.

That is a meaningful story if AEW presents it correctly.

WrestleDream Becomes the Target

Moné’s immediate priority must be recovering completely.

If she receives clearance, her return at WrestleDream could become one of the event’s central attractions. The added uncertainty surrounding her condition may also create more anticipation for the championship defense.

AEW now has a straightforward story to tell: Willow Nightingale and Thekla fight for the opportunity at All Out, while Mercedes Moné works toward being ready for the winner in Orlando.

The champion may be missing Chicago, but her next challenger—and the next chapter of the AEW Women’s World Championship—will still begin there.

Do you believe AEW is making the right decision by keeping Mercedes Moné out of All Out?