Mercedes Mone Says Tonga Loa Got Her In Touch With Rocky Romero And NJPW

Mercedes Mone credits a member of Solo Sikoa’s MFTs, Tonga Loa, with connecting her with Rocky Romero and launching her journey in New Japan Pro-Wrestling.

When Sasha Banks left WWE in 2022 and emerged at NJPW Wrestle Kingdom in 2023, the next chapter of her career began. When reflecting on her journey thus far during an appearance on Marking Out with MVP & Dwayne Swayze, she credited Tonga Loa with connecting her with Rocky Romero, stating that within two months of contacting Rocky, she had signed a deal with New Japan.

“When I got let go, I was like, ‘Oh my Gosh, I don’t know who I am. Who am I?’ I went back to the kid (in me) and was like, ‘Your dream has always been Japan. You always wanted to wrestle in Japan. Go chase your dreams and your goals that you haven’t gotten to achieve.’ I remember being at Mojo’s wedding and I ran into T [Tonga Loa]. We just talked wrestling because he was in New Japan at the time. I’m like, ‘I always wanted to go to New Japan.’ He’s like, ‘Let me get you in contact with Rocky (Romero).’ I messaged Rocky right away, ‘Hey, I’m really interested in joining New Japan.’ He’s like, ‘Shit. Okay. Absolutely. Let’s get it going.’ Just from that text message, two months later, I signed a contract with New Japan.”

Later in the interview, she discussed how AEW’s locker room culture differs from WWE’s. Read more here.

Mercedes Mone will next defend her AEW TBS Title at AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door 2025. Check out the full lineup for the card here.

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