Alfred Konuwa
The recent edition of Wrestle Kingdom, organized by New Japan Pro Wrestling, witnessed remarkable success as it shattered records. While the highly anticipated dream match between Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay played a significant role, the debut of Mercedes Mone proved to be a pivotal factor.
Mercedes Mone, formerly known as Sasha Banks, generated unprecedented interest in NJPW’s flagship event, fueled by speculations about her potential debut in All Elite Wrestling (AEW).
Wrestle Kingdom 17 drew a staggering attendance of 26,085, making it the highest turnout for a non-WWE live event in three years. Although Mone’s participation was not officially announced, the ticket sales were predominantly driven by Kenny Omega’s return and Kazuchika Okada’s pursuit of his seventh world title. However, the online buzz surrounding Wrestle Kingdom reached unprecedented levels.
On January 4, Wrestle Kingdom 17 became the 11th most-searched topic on Google. No previous Wrestle Kingdom event, with or without Kenny Omega, had ever cracked the top 20. One compelling statistic highlighting the interest in Mercedes Mone was the addition of 92,409 new users to NJPW World, the promotion’s streaming service. Notably, 30% of these viewers opted for the English feed. This surge in new users not only set a record for NJPW World but also made Wrestle Kingdom 17 the most-watched event in the platform’s history.
Mercedes Mone’s Debut Creates Wrestle Kingdom Milestones:
- 26,085 Tickets Sold (Highest for a non-WWE live event in three years)
- 92,409 New Users (Most new users in NJPW World history)
- Most-viewed event in NJPW World history
- Ranked 11th on Google Searches on January 4, 2023 (Highest Google search ranking for Wrestle Kingdom)
While Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay naturally drew hardcore NJPW fans who were already invested in the event, Mercedes Mone brought a broader appeal to the Tokyo Dome show. Similar to how Chris Jericho’s star power from his years in WWE impacted his debut in NJPW, Mone’s popularity from her time in WWE translated into an unparalleled level of interest in New Japan’s flagship event. This impact is evident in the forthcoming NJPW event, Battle in the Valley, where ticket sales surged by approximately 400 following Mone’s announcement that she would challenge KAIRI for the IWGP Women’s World Championship. It is highly likely that the 1,500-seat event will sell out.
If Mercedes Mone were to appear in AEW next week, it would be perplexing that her involvement was not officially announced. During a backstage promo, Britt Baker curiously referred to herself as “The Boss,” while Saraya surprisingly selected Toni Storm as her mystery tag team partner. There remains a possibility of a bait-and-switch or a non-wrestling appearance by Mercedes Mone.
As of now, AEW Dynamite’s upcoming event at the Forum has sold 7,213 tickets, which is only half of the 14,000 tickets sold for their debut in Inglewood in June. The previous Dynamite broadcast at the Forum garnered the largest television audience of 2022 at that point. If Mercedes Mone is indeed joining All Elite Wrestling, an official announcement would have undoubtedly helped fill the seats and prevent a potential half-empty Kia Forum.
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