One big thing: AEW’s Mercedes Mone shows solidarity with Olympic stars
Mercedes Mone, AEW TBS Champion, has taken to social media to celebrate the success of American athletes at the Paris 2024 Olympics, particularly gymnast Simone Biles.
• Biles secured four medals in Olympic Gymnastics: three gold and one silver.
• Biles declared she loved her “Black Job,” a statement Mone strongly resonated with.
• Mone praised Biles’ performance, calling her “INSANE” and expressing awe at her work.
Why it matters
Mone’s support highlights the connection between professional wrestling and other sports, emphasizing the shared experiences of high-profile athletes of color.
Mone’s perspective
• “What I have done in wrestling has always been my Black Job,” Mone stated.
• She added, “And in AEW, being the best and ascending us all continues to be my Black Job.
• Mone referenced her historic WrestleMania main event with Bianca Belair in 2021, the first featuring two Black women.
Support for other athletes
• Mone also praised sprinter Sha’Carri Richardson, who won gold and silver medals.
• She defended Richardson’s decision to skip a press conference, citing the need for athletes to be in “YOUR ZONE” after intense competition.
• The TBS Champion expressed her intention to support the US Women’s Wrestling team, following other celebrities’ efforts for different sports.
The bigger picture
Mone’s comments reflect a growing trend of athletes using their platforms to discuss broader social issues and show solidarity across different sports.
As professional wrestling continues to intersect with mainstream sports and culture, how do you think this will impact the industry’s future? Leave your thoughts in the comments below.
