IWGP Women's Champion Mercedes Mone is only committed to two more dates with NJPW/Stardom.
Our own Dave Melzer reported in this week's
Wrestling Observer Newsletter, that Mone's next two opponents will be AZM at Sakura Genesis on April 8 and Mayu Iwatani on Stardom's April 23, 2023, show from the Yokohama Arena.
Meltzer wrote:
Right now she is only committed to two more dates, a 4/8 date at Sumo Hall for New Japan on the Sakura Genesis shows where she’ll defend against AZM, who is an excellent worker. A rematch with Kairi at one point was planned but the decision was made for AZM.
AZM issued a
challenge to Mone during a Stardom press conference on Monday.
The plan had always been for Mone to win the IWGP Women's World Championship with the idea being that her holding it would make the title feel important.
Meltzer continued:
On the 4/23 Stardom show at the Yokohama Arena, she right now is scheduled to face Mayu Iwatani, in what presumably will be a title match and part of a double main event, which is likely to be with World of Stardom champion Giulia defending against Tam Nakano.
Iwatani was originally planned to be the inaugural IWGP Women's Champion but a financial dispute at the end of 2022 led to this not happening. The money issues between Bushiroad and Iwatani are said to have since been worked out, however. If Mone does not commit to more dates with NJPW and Stardom, Iwatani will likely win the title on the Yokohama Arena show.
Despite Kazuchika Okada and Mone teasing a mixed tag match at the end of Battle in the Valley, there are currently no plans for such a match to take place. Kenny Omega recently posted a message to Mone on Twitter indicating he would be interested in a mixed tag as well.