'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
WCW veteran Konnan recently claimed that AEW President Tony Khan has to use a top star because he is paying her a high salary. The said star held many championships in WWE.
The name in question is Mercedes Mone (fka Sasha Banks). She had a decade-long run in the Stamford-based promotion, where she became a 10-time champion. After her abrupt exit in 2022, Mone worked in New Japan Pro-Wrestling, establishing herself as a top name in the Japanese wrestling scene.
In March 2024, The CEO joined All Elite Wrestling and instantly made her mark by winning the TBS Championship. Mone is reportedly one of the highest-paid wrestlers in the world.
Trending
On his Keepin' It 100 podcast, Konnan was asked why Tony Khan was continuously pushing Mercedes Mone despite underwhelming fan reception. The WCW veteran claimed that Khan was apparently paying The CEO $5 million, so he was forced to push her.
"As far as Mone, bro he is paying her $5 million, he has to use her, you know." [0:45-0:51]
You can view the clip below.
Tony Khan could be pushing former WWE champion Mercedes Mone to win another title
Mercedes Mone is already the TBS as well as the NJPW Strong Women's Champion. Last week on Rampage, Mone hinted at going after more gold heading into the Christmas season.
Current AEW Women's World Champion Mariah May responded to Mone's claim. On X/Twitter, May referenced The CEO's on-screen gimmick while firing shots at her.
"There are certain things money can’t buy," she wrote.
You can view May's tweet below.
Only time will tell whether Tony Khan is looking to push Mercedes Mone to win the AEW Women's World Title as well. She has held the Women's Championship in WWE in the past and is more than capable of replicating the feat in All Elite Wrestling.
If you use any quotes from this article, please credit Keepin' It 100 and give an H/T to Sportskeeda Wrestling for the transcription.
