Mercedes Moné returns to AEW, advances in Owen Hart Tournament

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Willow Nightingale’s injury left the TBS championship vacant*, and created an opening in the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament field. That spot was up on Dynamite tonight (June 3), with Alex Windsor scheduled to face a “Wild Card” in round one. Even before Fightful Select reported this afternoon that Mercedes Moné would be back “relatively soon”, a lot of folks predicted this spot for the CEO’s return — folks like our own Cain A. Knight in his preview for this week’s Dynamite. They were right. After some fireworks, Moné returned to AEW for the first time since losing the TBS title to Nightingale at December’s Dynamite New Year’s Smash. Mercedes made it clear during her entrance that she aims to win the Owen again this year. C-E-O! C-E-O! @MercedesVarnado is BACK as the Wild Card spot vs @HailWindsor in the #OwenCup! Watch #AEWDynamite LIVE on TBS & HBO Max pic.twitter.com/JYfeKCmrN2 — All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) June 4, 2026 Windsor hung with the CEO through a commercial break while the AEW commentary team wondered about ring rust for Moné. But the returning star’s wrestling looked as good as her ring gear, and she picked up the win with a submission. Via Statement Maker, appropriately enough. STATEMENT MADE! @MERCEDESVARNADO ADVANCES! Watch #AEWDynamite LIVE on TBS & HBO Max pic.twitter.com/D8Vcf8RuaD — All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) June 4, 2026 Moné advances to the semi-finals, where another match with Persephone looms. They faced each other twice in 2025, with Persephone beating Mercedes for the CMLL World Women’s title in the second last fall during Moné‘s belt dropping tour. Persephone does have to beat Stardom’s Hazuki first, but AEW Women’s World champion Thekla vowed to destroy her old promotion heading into Forbidden Door, so Hazuki and her co-workers may have bigger problems than the Owen. The winners of the semis will battle for the Cup at that cross-promotional June 27 PPV, and the winner there gets to challenge for the belt currently in Thekla’s possession at August 30’s All In in Wembley Stadium. Let us know if you’re picking against Mercedes Moné in The Owen down below. And get caught up on everything that happened on the June 3 Dynamite in the business’ best live here. * Find out how that will be filled here.

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The Owen Hart Foundation Tournament is underway in AEW. Let’s take a look at the updated brackets after the June 3 Dynamite. Men’s Quarterfinal Will Ospreay defeated Samoa Joe Swerve Strickland defeated Bandido Mark Davis defeated Jack Perry Brody King defeated Claudio Castagnoli Men’s Semifinal Will Ospreay defeated Mark Davis Swerve Strickland vs. Brody King on Dynamite (June 10) Men’s Final Will Ospreay vs. Strickland/King winner at Forbidden Door (June 28) Granted, the men’s bracket is almost complete. No rocket science needed to prognosticate here. Will Ospreay versus Swerve Strickland seemed like the direction for the final, and it makes a lot of sense. Ospreay beat Samoa Joe to close the chapter on The Opps, then Ospreay got revenge to beat Mark Davis. The Aerial Assassin proved that he is neck strong and mentally strong. Swerve already knocked down one-half of Brodido, and the second half remains. It would be nice to see Brody King earn a big win and even the score with Swerve. However, Swerve fits neatly into Ospreay’s story. What better way to test himself than fighting the most dangerous man in AEW. Women’s Quarterfinal Persephone vs. Hazuki on Collision (June 6) Mercedes Moné defeated Alex Windsor Athena defeated Mina Shirakawa Skye Blue vs. Sareee on Dynamite (June 10) Women’s Semifinal Mercedes Moné vs Persephone/Hazuki winner Athena vs. Sareee/Blue winner Women’s Final TBD vs. TBD at Forbidden Door (June 28) The second Mercedes Moné stepped on stage as the wild card to replace Willow Nightingale, she was immediately the favorite to win the tournament. Defeating Windsor builds the CEO back up as boss. Meeting Persephone in the semis would continue that tale. Winsdor (RevPro) and Persephone (CMLL) both took titles from Mercedes when she was dropping belts. I think Sareee over Athena makes more sense for the final against Mercedes for greater Forbidden Door flair. Share your thoughts on Owen Hart Cup results thus far, and share your predictions for how the rest of the tournament shakes out.