Mercedes Moné retains title amid controversy over Thekla's post-match antics

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AEW Mercedes Moné retained the AEW Women’s World Championship at WrestleDream 2026 after defeating Thekla via pinfall. While many fans have praised the confrontation from two of the company’s biggest female stars, there has also been quite a bit of fallout from Thekla’s actions following the match. Cellphone footage captured by fans seated ringside at the event show the challenger extending her middle fingers and dancing in the aisle. LMAOOOO Thekla not selling the finish of the match. I love her. pic.twitter.com/vnWEfkKPf2 — kelsey (@itsmekelsey_x) October 18, 2026 Many fans argued on social media that Thekla should have better sold the champion’s Moné Maker finishing move, rather than making such a quick recovery. “Thekla no sold the Moné Maker after the match then was outside the ring dancing? The f*** are we doing???” read one comment on X (Twitter). Another person wrote: “Can we talk about Thekla no selling the finish of that match? What was that all about? also the dance walking out the ring.” Mercedes herself threw shade at Thekla during the post-WrestleDream media scrum. “I mean, it’s not one of my favorite matches,” Mercedes said of wrestling the Austrian star. “I told you guys that I’m not scared of a little spider. She’s more like a chihuahua that doesn’t stop talking.” Mercedes Mone flatout buried Thekla. I'm crying son 😭😭😭 pic.twitter.com/qupRcb5jmP — CernFluffy (@chriszian678) October 18, 2026 No everyone took issue with Thekla’s post-match antics, with some arguing that she sold the finisher for an appropriate amount of time, while others said she acted appropriately for her character’s persona. “Thekla sold for Mercedes for an ENTIRE MINUTE,” wrote an X user arguing this side. “She stayed on her back, rolled to the ropes, caught her breath, rested on the ropes, and only then started emoting because she’s a HEEL who is TOXICCC!!!” Thekla sold for Mercedes for an ENTIRE MINUTE She stayed on her back, rolled to the ropes, caught her breath, rested on the ropes, and only then started emoting because she’s a HEEL who is TOXICCC!!! pic.twitter.com/FcVf0fV8sr — AIRGold (@AIRGold_) October 19, 2026 “Some of the comments about Thekla supposedly not selling the finish from Mercedes Moné are somewhat far fetched,” another fan wrote. “You’d think she’d got straight back up and started dancing! Personally, I didn’t see it as a no sell, to be fair. But that’s the great thing about wrestling, everyone has their own opinions, and that’s absolutely fine.” One contingent of fans on social media brought up a familiar criticism of Moné — that she gets unfairly pushed over other female talent. These fans often compare the star to Hulk Hogan, who was said to use his backstage influence to stay on top. “Maybe the ladies are getting tired of Mone Hogan,” said one X user. Some people argued that the moment could be used to continue a feud between the two stars. “Contrary to what I’ve seen online about Thekla no selling. I actually think this is setting up a bigger match down the road,” a fan on X posted. “Mone acknowledges her as Thekla does sell pain. These 2 are monsters a match can not contain.” Contrary to what I've seen online about Thekla no selling. I actually think this is setting up a bigger match down the road. Mone acknowledges her as Thekla does sell pain. These 2 are monsters a match can not contain. https://t.co/Zp4sbQjRGv — Tyler (@TPro83) October 18, 2026 What do you make of Thekla’s actions following the WrestleDream match? Was she no-selling or furthering the angle? Let us know in the comments,