Mercedes Mone is set to defend the IWGP Women’s Championship at NJPW’s Sakura Genesis event.
On Thursday, New Japan Pro Wrestling announced that Mone will be putting her title up for grabs in a three-way match with Hazuki and AZM at Sakura Genesis, which takes place on April 8.
You can check out the official announcement below:
Mercedes Moné accepts three way challenge for Sakura Genesis
IWGP Women’s Championship match set for April 8
Since winning the IWGP Women’s Championship at Battle in the Valley, Mercedes Moné has been hitting red carpets and conventions in VIP style with the title, but has yet to make her first defence. Meanwhile, with the door open to challengers from around the world, two have stepped up from STARDOM.
First, High Speed Champion and young superstar of Queen’s Quest AZM would take to the microphone at a press conference recently to state that since Mercedes had mentioned her name as a prospective opponent, she’d be happy to step up. Later, the Wild Heart of STARS, Hazuki threw her hat into the ring as she proposed a three way match- even Mayu Iwatani said she would take on the winner April 23 at STARDOM’s Yokohama Arena event.
In a message released on social media today, Mercedes would issue her response. saying that ‘double the challenge means double the Moné’ the CEO took on the three way at Sakura Genesis April 8. Can Hazuki capture IWGP gold? Will AZM (that’s ‘A Zu Mi’), disrespected by Mercedes’ backhanded praise, make this title spectacular something more personal? Find out live in English on NJPW World!
As we previously reported here on eWn, Jon Moxley was scheduled to face off against Davey Richards at the upcoming Bloodsport 9 pay-per-view event. For those unaware, Richards was accused of allegations of domestic violence and announced his retirement earlier this week.
Due to Richards pulling out of the event, Jon Moxley will now be facing off against Alex Coughlin at the show. For what it’s worth, Coughlin was originally set to battle Yuya Uemura.
You can check out the updated lineup for Josh Barnett’s Bloodsport 9 event below:
* Kota Ibushi vs. Mike Bailey
* Josh Barnett vs. Timothy Thatcher
* Jon Moxley vs. Alex Coughlin
* Marina Shafir vs. Killer Kelly
* Erik Hammer vs. Calvin Tankman
* Davey Boy Smith Jr. vs. JR Kratos
* Royce Isaacs vs. Johnny Bloodsport (John Hennigan)
* Jeff Cobb vs. Bad Dude Tito
Coughlin threw down the gauntlet, it's been discussed, and the lines have now been redrawn.
Your declaration of war is approved:
Alex Coughlin vs Jon Moxley at Josh Barnett's: Bloodsport 9 https://t.co/SJGSaLO1Yu pic.twitter.com/JPzmUXKiiw
— 𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝖂𝖆𝖗𝖒𝖆𝖘𝖙𝖊𝖗 (@JoshLBarnett) March 24, 2023
