Tam Nakano Says She Wants To Face Mercedes Mone

Tam Nakano expresses her interest in facing Mercedes Mone.

Tam Nakano expresses her interest in facing Mercedes Mone.

Tam Nakano is the reigning World of STARDOM Champion, and she recently defended the title against Suzu Suzuki at STARDOM Nagoya Golden Fight 2024. With STARDOM continuing to work with AEW, fans are buzzing about potential crossover matches, especially with both promotions set to participate in the Wrestle Dynasty event in January.

Speaking with Tokyo Sports, (Translation via DeepL.com), Nakano looked forward to Wrestle Dynasty, as she noted that she wanted to defend her title many times in the future. She also set her sights on avenging her past losses to Aja Kong and Willow Nightingale.

 “I want to use this defense road to get back what I lost during that period, and I will take revenge on everyone I lost at 5STAR, including Aja Kong and Willow Nightingale. I want to get revenge on all the people I lost to at 5STAR. That’s why I want to have more and more defenses in Korakuen and other venues,” Nakano said.

Nakano also brought up Wrestle Dynasty and stated that she wanted to face Mercedes Mone.  After expressing her intent to compete at Wrestle Dynasty, she recalled how Mercedes Mone arrived after kAIRI beat her at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom 17.

“I’ve been after [IWGP Women’s Champion Mayu] Iwatani’s belt for a long time, and now Mone has the belt that I couldn’t get during the dark period. I still hold a grudge against Mone for making me a bully. Wouldn’t it be interesting if we could do this?” Nakano said.

Nakano previously wrestled at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door 2024. She teamed up with Willow Nightingale to defeat Kris Statlander and Momo Watanabe.

Mercedes Mone will defend the AEW TBS Championship and the NJPW Strong Women’s Championship on the October 8th episode of AEW Dynamite. More information is available here.