"Game-changers in their own right," "Wild choice" - Fans applaud Saraya, Mercedes Mone, and AEW star's tribute by WWE

The latest episode of WWE NXT seemingly paid tribute to multiple AEW stars on its programming in the form of a video package. The clip in question explored the history of one of the top titles of the brand.

This week's episode of NXT aired a special video package celebrating the prestigious lineage of the NXT Women's Championship, a belt that has been held by stars who heralded a defining revolution in women's wrestling in WWE and elsewhere. The list includes top talent who are currently employed by All Elite Wrestling, such as former AEW Women's World Champion Saraya, current TBS Champion Mercedes Mone, and the "forever" ROH Women's World Champion Athena.

Wrestling fans took to X/Twitter to react to WWE's seeming tribute to past NXT Women's Champions, with many expressing their surprise and approval of the sports entertainment juggernaut crediting current All Elite stars for their role in elevating the legacy of the belt and the division.

"Showing Mandy Rose, Ember Moon (Athena), Paige (Saraya), Sasha Banks (Mercedes Mone) and others during that video package about their women’s division is a WILD CHOICE. #WWENXT," posted a fan.

"Seeing Paige on a NXT video package in 2024 is kinda wild," wrote a fan.

"A testament to how stacked that women's roster was & still [is]," observed another fan.

"Seeing Sasha Banks & Paige on that NXT women’s championship history video package was cool! #WWE #NXT #AEW," tweeted a user.

"Did I just peep Paige, Sasha Banks, Ember Moon AND Mandy Rose in that NXT women’s championship package?! #WWENXT," tweeted another fan.

The NXT Women's Title will be on the line at New Year's Evil 2025, with champion Roxanne Perez set to defend it at the event against Giulia.

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Mercedes Mone on possible dream match with Saraya in AEW

Saraya and Mercedes Mone have a long and rich history dating back to their time in WWE. The CEO was one of the last people The Anti-Diva had shared a ring with prior to her initial retirement from wrestling in 2018.

However, with both women now signed with AEW, viewers of the Jacksonville-based company have been clamouring for a showdown between Saraya and Mone, as has The Boss' brother Joshua, according to Mercedes on a recent edition of her newsletter Mone Mag.

"It's extra special for me because I get to have my brother Joshua tag along. He came to all three venues with me. To see him healthy and walking on his own was pure magic. Joshua's face lit up as we walked by the AEW trucks, but when he saw Saraya on one of the trucks, he couldn’t contain himself, constantly asking, 'Mercedes, when are you going to wrestle Saraya?' That’s his dream match for me, and I can’t wait to make it happen someday." [H/T - Mone Mag]

This week, however, Mone will have to defend her TBS Title against Anna Jay on Dynamite.