5 things you must know about RETRIBUTION's core members

#4 RETRIBUTION's Mercedes Martinez appeared on a major AEW pay-per-view before signing with WWE

#WWERaw is #RETRIBUTION.LIVE RIGHT NOW on @USA_Network! pic.twitter.com/NbGkL3ls0z

— WWE (@WWE) September 22, 2020

Interestingly, before appearing on AEW, RETRIBUTION's Mercedes Martinez was a part of two Mae Young Classic tournaments in WWE. The first time around, she was eliminated by Shayna Baszler in the semi-finals. Martinez didn't even make it past the second round the next time.

As a result, Martinez appeared at All Elite Wrestling's second major pay-per-view event, All Out, in 2019. She was a part of AEW's staple Casino Battle Royale at All Out, but Martinez didn't stay long in Tony Khan's promotion.

This isn't to say WWE's division is all sunshine and roses, by the way! But WWE wasn't touting a ~*brand new alternative*~ to wrestling for the last few months.

— kate (@makeitloud) January 8, 2020

Eventually, Martinez signed a contract with WWE in January 2020. She became a relatively well-known star, but Martinez still couldn't become a top name in NXT. She aligned with the Robert Stone brand in February.

Ironically, the Robert Stone character is supposed to be a parody of the president of All Elite Wrestling, Tony Khan. Martinez dissociated with the Robert Stone brand after losing to Rhea Ripley in a Steel Cage match on NXT recently.

It should be evident by now that Mercedes Martinez didn't quite reach the top circles in AEW or NXT, which gave her a good motive to join RETRIBUTION as a key member.