Mercedes Moné teases return to wrestling

Mercedes Moné has given fans a clearer sense of when she plans to step back into the ring, hinting that her time away from All Elite Wrestling will set the stage for a major comeback in 2026. The former TBS Champion teased her plans in a recent Instagram post, signaling that her hiatus is less about retreat and more about preparing for what she called a full-scale “renaissance.”

In the post, the ex-WWE star leaned into the viral “2026 is the new 2016” trend while reframing it on her own terms. Rather than revisiting the past, Moné emphasized what she accomplished more recently and what she believes is still to come.

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“While everyone's reminiscing about 2016, I'm still remembering the legacy I created in 2025,” Moné wrote. “I'm already envisioning the renaissance I'll create in 2026! #MonéMoves.”

The message doubled down on comments she previously made on AEW Collision, where she confirmed that her break from AEW would not be permanent. While no specific return date has been announced, her wording strongly suggests she intends to be back in the mix sometime this year, with unfinished business waiting for her.

That business stems from the turbulent end to one of the most dominant runs in recent AEW history. During the January 10 episode of Collision, AEW aired a vignette showing Moné grappling with the loss of the TBS Championship to Willow Nightingale. 

Sitting alone in the locker room, Moné reflected on a reign that stretched well beyond 500 days before reaching its abrupt conclusion.

“I am taking a break from AEW,” Moné said during the segment. “To show you why and how I elevated. And good luck without me. Because when I return, I am collecting more than just titles.”

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The loss to Nightingale capped a difficult stretch that saw Moné’s once-massive championship haul shrink. At her peak, she held 13 titles simultaneously across multiple promotions, surpassing a long-standing record set by Ultimo Dragon.