Former WWE star takes massive shot at Mercedes Mone; says she's "tiers above her"

Mercedes Mone seems to be in the crosshairs of several AEW stars. The former WWE Superstar was one of the biggest free agent signings Tony Khan has ever landed, which instantly put a target on her back. ROH Women's World Champion Athena is the latest to take a shot at The CEO.

Athena has been a dominant champion in Ring of Honor, having held her title for a staggering 491 days and counting. She recently made her return to AEW television with a win over Red Velvet at Battle of the Belts X, and she's keeping her eyes on the developments of the company's women's division.

The Minion Overlord recently appeared on the Good Karma Wrestling podcast, where she discussed Mercedes Mone's star power:

"She [Mercedes Mone] adds star power. She adds confidence, right? Like I think for so long, we as a women’s division, especially in AEW, we’re having these great matches, and we had stars, right? But we were trying to breach the ceiling of star power, and I think Mercedes Mone brings that to the table. From her being in the Mandalorian to her being a multi-time world champion to just the charisma and aura that she brings into every moment that she’s on TV. I really feel like that is what’s going to set this women’s division over the edge in AEW."

Athena also gave Mercedes props for helping to elevate young stars like Julia Hart and Skye Blue. However, she made sure to note that she is "tiers above" the former IWGP Women's Champion:

"Now, with that being said, your Minion Overlord is just tiers above her. Tiers above her, like she’s doing great over there, we’re doing the Minion Overlord's work over here," Athena said. [H/T Fightful]

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Athena made a cryptic tease after Mercedes Mone was attacked on Dynamite

Mercedes Mone's status and star power have naturally attracted enemies, and the first of them struck on last week's episode of AEW Dynamite.

During a sit-down interview on the Wednesday night show, the lights suddenly went out, and The CEO was struck by an unknown assailant. When the lights came back on, the former WWE Superstar was lying on the floor, moaning in pain. She later vowed to discover the identity of the mystery attacker.

Mercedes may not have to look far, as Athena wasted little time in teasing her. The ROH Women's World Champion took to X that very night and asked Billie Starkz, Lexy Nair, and her own Minion Army who the assailant might have been.

Mercedes Mone has yet to step in the ring for AEW, but her attention is on the TBS Championship match between Julia Hart and Willow Nightingale at the Dynasty pay-per-view this Sunday. The CEO's current plan is to challenge whoever holds the title at Double or Nothing on May 26.