Mercedes Mone is currently sidelined with a broken ankle that she had surgery on to fix and has been keeping her injury status quiet.
Dave Meltzer reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that NJPW already has plans in place for Mone when she is able to return. He wrote,
“As you would expect and this was confirmed to us, that when Mercedes Mone is healthy, they are looking to match her up with Giulia for the New Japan Strong belt. Mone was supposed to be champion right now but got injured in the match with Willow Nightingale and was so professional (similar to Jon Moxley with Rey Fenix) to realize she was hurt and willingly changed the finish for the better of the promotion and the business. Nightingale wasn’t supposed to be champion so they got the belt on Giulia quickly with the idea of Giulia vs. Mone being a huge match.”
