Mercedes Mon vs Stephanie Vaquer (Full Match)
AEW Forbidden Door
Transcript
00:00I'm not afraid of walking through any door and breaking it down.
00:06Mercedes Monet!
00:07It doesn't get much bigger than this!
00:10I'm coming for the title that was meant to be mine, Stephanie.
00:13I'm coming to show the world why I am the greatest of all time.
00:18Stephanie Backer from CMLL, the New Japan Strong Women's Champion!
00:24Mercedes, your arrogance is just plain offensive.
00:27This belt is mine, and it's not going anywhere.
00:32Stephanie, you may be the New Japan Strong Champion now, but at Forbidden Door, that
00:38title is mine.
00:39Because I am the HEFA, the CEO of women's wrestling.
00:45At Forbidden Door, it is title versus title.
00:49The New Japan Strong Women's Champion, Stephanie Backer, against the TBS Champion, Mercedes
00:55Monet.
00:56One woman will leave with both titles.
01:00Bitch, I've been training and working my ass off to get that title that was meant to be
01:05mine.
01:06At Forbidden Door, Stephanie Backer is going to become the first ever New Japan Strong
01:12and TBS Double Champion.
01:15The titles aren't just up for grabs, they're mine to claim.
01:18Because there's a price to pay when you mess with Mercedes Monet.
01:25This matchup for one fall with a 30 minute time limit is a winner-take-all match!
01:40Introducing first, from San Fernando, Chile, she is the NJPW Strong Women's Champion, Stephanie
01:49Backer!
01:51TBS NJPW Strong Women's Champion, Stephanie Backer!
02:06Stephanie Backer coming to the ring with three titles.
02:11Also holding titles in CMLL, but only the New Japan Strong Women's Championship on the
02:17line tonight.
02:20And what a wager, what a match this is.
02:24Title for title against the CEO, Mercedes Monet.
02:30Truly stepping through the Forbidden Door.
02:45And her opponent, from Boston, Massachusetts, she is the TBS Champion, the CEO, Mercedes
02:57Monet!
03:02TBS Champion, the CEO, Mercedes Monet!
03:11As she said, Monet changes everything, and it certainly did, with the arrival of the
03:17CEO, Mercedes Monet, here in AEW.
03:20Did not take her long to find gold around her waist, taking the TBS title from Willow
03:27Nightingale, setting a score against Nightingale.
03:31She has another score to settle here tonight.
03:35Mercedes Monet has said that that New Japan Strong Women's Championship, Taz, Mercedes
03:41says that that title was all but created specifically for Mercedes Monet, but there was a tournament
03:48to crown the champion, and unfortunately for Mercedes, she lost that tournament.
03:53Right, she did, and that's just the way it goes, but she carries that TBS title right
03:58now very proudly, does the CEO.
04:01This should be a, uh, hell of a matchup between these two ladies for sure, guys.
04:05And not the first time they've...
04:09Not the first time they've crossed paths.
04:12Stephanie Van Kerr and Mercedes Monet, faced off in the first round of that New Japan Strong
04:19Women's Championship tournament.
04:23Of course, Mercedes making it to the finals.
04:25This contest will be conducted under AEW rules.
04:29You get a 10 count on the outside of the ring, and the titles can only be changed via
04:34pinfall or submission, you understand?
04:36You understand?
04:37You might win this.
04:38See?
04:39Nothing.
04:40Oh!
04:41Oh, oh, oh!
04:42Brandon Martinez has given the instructions, this match will be contested under AEW rules.
04:4710 count on the floor, title can only change hands by pinfall or submission, and Stephanie
04:52Van Kerr landing the early headbutt, and drawing first blood, so to speak.
04:56Asked Van Kerr if she understood.
04:59The cover.
05:00Hard not to understand a headbutt, that's for sure.
05:03Yeah, that'll definitely make you understand what's going on, or forget what you had for
05:07lunch, one or the other.
05:08We saw recently on Collision, Van Kerr against Lady Frost, an incredible matchup.
05:15Both very impressed that night.
05:18Oh, Mercedes now, after the monkey flip, the flurry of offense, going for the cover.
05:23Van Kerr able to kick out.
05:26Good cover again.
05:28Yeah, using good leverage on it.
05:29Whoa, nice.
05:30Used to the hips right there by Stephanie.
05:33The corner now.
05:35But Van Kerr jumps behind the CEO.
05:37Mercedes, overpin there.
05:39Van Kerr, counters.
05:41Roll up.
05:43Separate.
05:44And collide.
05:46You could feel that.
05:47They both drilled each other there.
05:51Van Kerr dressed like a Valkyrie on the way out here.
05:53No question, in for a war.
05:58Backed up into the corner.
06:00Departing shot, the back elbow from Van Kerr as she charges in.
06:02Mercedes, using her agility.
06:04Oh, knee strike.
06:05Catches Van Kerr.
06:07And Mercedes, off the middle rope.
06:10Arm drag.
06:12Brings Van Kerr down.
06:19Taking her time, though.
06:20The CBS champion.
06:21Yeah, that's what happened.
06:23I think she was just thinking for a second, was Mercedes.
06:26And it cost her.
06:28And Van Kerr, with the wrist of Mercedes captured by the elbow strike.
06:33And now, Stephanie Van Kerr.
06:36Looking to show Mercedes that Mercedes isn't the only one.
06:41That has tremendous agility.
06:43Great rope work there by Van Kerr.
06:46A very impressive footwork on those ropes.
06:49Oh!
06:50Van, she about to slap to the mush.
06:52And now Mercedes, to the rope.
06:54Once again.
06:55Arm drag.
06:56Takes down Van Kerr, but Mercedes hangs on.
06:58Rolled through, right into, oops.
07:00Into the crossface.
07:01Crossface, I can tell she had the arm.
07:04But Van Kerr, to her back, to alleviate the pressure by Mercedes.
07:09Taz, it's really when you're flattened out, that crossface, wrenching up on the neck.
07:13Yeah.
07:14The face, that's when it's most painful.
07:16It is.
07:17And as long as you have your hip engaged towards the side of your opponent's body.
07:20And I think she did.
07:21Watch out.
07:22I think they're coming all the way here, possibly.
07:24Mercedes.
07:25Went for the dropkick.
07:26No.
07:27T-Harris!
07:28Backer, right in front of our desk.
07:30Taken down hard by the CEO.
07:35Mercedes Manet.
07:39Could be walking out.
07:40The UBS Arena could be walking out a forbidden door.
07:43With her bag about 15 pounds heavier.
07:48But Stephanie Van Kerr, undoubtedly, if something to say about that.
07:51Meteora off the middle rope.
07:53Van Kerr, though, able to kick out.
07:54Tough to bounce yourself off the middle rope.
07:56You're not in a corner.
07:58The looser part of the ropes.
08:00Tough to do.
08:01Nigel, correct.
08:02Yeah, absolutely.
08:03Far more.
08:05Spread down on the wing ropes.
08:09Van Kerr to the outside.
08:11Mercedes.
08:12No.
08:13Van Kerr.
08:14Oh, gets stopped in her tracks.
08:15Moved to the midsection.
08:16And.
08:17Oh, tried to launch off the apron for the DDT.
08:20But Van Kerr.
08:21Yeah, good counter by Van Kerr.
08:22You're right.
08:23Excalibur.
08:24She wanted that DDT.
08:25That swinging DDT, for sure.
08:26Both of these champions, there's no question, fellas.
08:28Are incredible wrestlers.
08:30World class.
08:31Top tier.
08:32In my opinion, the big guys.
08:35World class.
08:36Top tier.
08:37In my opinion, the big difference is the experience level of Mercedes Monae.
08:43A lot more international big match experience.
08:46Big match is the thing right there, guys.
08:48You just said it, Excalibur.
08:49I think that's it right there.
08:51But I get what you're saying, for sure, Nigel.
08:53Oh.
08:54A soul food there in the ropes is now Van Kerr.
08:57Off the middle rope.
08:58Diving knee drop to the side of the head.
09:01And that's not to say that Stephanie Van Kerr has not wrestled on a big stage before.
09:06I mean, coming from her native Chile.
09:08Going up.
09:09Big cross body.
09:11It don't matter what stage, right?
09:13She's looking great right now with Stephanie.
09:15She is kicking ass.
09:16Yeah, Van Kerr rising to the challenge.
09:19Look at that.
09:20The springboard.
09:21Launching off the middle rope to the top.
09:24And then taking out Mercedes on the outside.
09:27These two ladies, just the way they're competing.
09:29The way they're physical with each other.
09:30They have so much in common regarding their style.
09:35It's like move for move.
09:36Similar type vibe in their offensive attack.
09:40Yeah.
09:41Mercedes, we've seen the promotional video.
09:44She's been training.
09:45I mean, she's, throughout the course of her career, trained extensively in lucha libre.
09:50But specifically to prepare for this match, Nigel.
09:53Working on being able to counter that Mexican wrestling style.
09:57Well, we've seen a couple of arm drags thus far.
09:59Hold the cover.
10:01In the match.
10:02Another cover.
10:04That's nice, Bridge.
10:05Taking a page out of Zack Sabre Jr.'s book there.
10:08Well, he didn't invent that.
10:09But that's okay.
10:10Sorry, Excalibur.
10:11Sorry to correct you.
10:12I know that's against the rules here.
10:14Realize that, Nigel?
10:15You can't correct Excalibur.
10:16Otherwise, you get hit with a pen.
10:17Don't make me tap the sign, Tez.
10:19That's Becker.
10:20Those boot scrapes.
10:22Pioneered by Shinjiro Otani.
10:25You're right.
10:26There you go.
10:28You don't say.
10:29You don't say.
10:30Think he trademarked him?
10:32Well, no.
10:33I will now, though.
10:34Smartass.
10:36Well, the TBS champion in trouble here.
10:39Becker.
10:40The high stack.
10:41Two.
10:42Mercedes able to kick out.
10:43But Becker definitely with the advantage here.
10:46Becker.
10:48Becker certainly, I think, wants to prove a point.
10:53Make a statement.
10:54Strong, clear as day here.
10:56And I'll be honest with you.
10:57I am very impressed to come into what might be seen as the CEOs.
11:04I don't know.
11:05Backyard, if you will.
11:07Yeah, for sure.
11:08It's AEW, right?
11:09Yeah.
11:10And she's from Boston.
11:11We're not that far.
11:12We're a few hours away.
11:13So you could have some New England people here.
11:15Look at this.
11:16Little shades of the late great Eddie Guerrero.
11:19The man that inspired Mercedes Manet to pursue the path of professional wrestling.
11:24But no.
11:25Becker.
11:26Nice block.
11:27The trifecta blocked.
11:28And Becker.
11:29Body scissors.
11:30Beautifully done.
11:31Into a pin.
11:32Oh, no.
11:33Not into a pin.
11:34Oh, that was nice.
11:35Look at Becker.
11:36She's got Mercedes all tied up.
11:38Oh, man.
11:39Beautiful submission attempt.
11:41Yeah, you've got to get on your head, Mercedes.
11:43Get on your head and do a bridge and it'll break that leg lock.
11:47You've got to watch the shoulders of Becker.
11:49She can push those shoulders down for a pin.
11:52It's one way out.
11:53Yeah, well, that worked right there.
11:54Pushing one leg to the side.
11:56It's tough to get out of something like that.
11:58And that's that Jave Mexican wrestling submission style.
12:02And Mercedes.
12:05Something may be bothering her leg.
12:07Her hamstring.
12:08It looks like Mercedes is holding her hammy.
12:10Yeah, there's an awkward talk there.
12:12Almost a knee bar of sorts.
12:15When they try to get out of that submission.
12:17And remember, it was a lower leg injury.
12:19An ankle injury that Mercedes suffered in that tournament final
12:23against Willow Nightingale to determine the inaugural
12:26New Japan Strong Women's Champion.
12:28And Mercedes.
12:29Oh, now.
12:30Head to rib it.
12:32In repeatedly by Becker.
12:35Oh, man.
12:37That's rough.
12:39And now Becker covers.
12:41Deep cover.
12:42Legs were hooked, but Mercedes able to kick him.
12:45What do you think, fellas, about the way that Becker
12:47is manhandling the TBS champion?
12:50Oh, yeah.
12:51And she's not even breathing heavy, Stephanie.
12:54She's got a great motor, this young lady, in this ring.
12:58She can go.
12:59Nigel, I don't think there's anybody more surprised
13:02than the TBS champion, Mercedes Manet.
13:05It's not a surprise.
13:06Oh, now she's fighting for her life and her title.
13:12Becker backs Mercedes down into the ring,
13:14but Mercedes, undaunted, up to the ropes.
13:17Becker, another headbutt, stunning the TBS champion.
13:21Becker.
13:22Oh, damn.
13:23Countered into the air by Mercedes Manet.
13:26That will definitely knock the wind right out of you,
13:29break a sternum, something.
13:32Manet unable to follow up.
13:34Just watch here.
13:35Becker took her time, and that gave Manet the opportunity.
13:40You can see the extension on the dropkick
13:42right to the midsection.
13:44The ribs knocking the wind out of her challenger.
13:47All that forward momentum, downward momentum,
13:50the gravity of Becker.
13:53Stopped by those two boots.
13:55Sorry, Excalibur.
13:56You can feel the intensity by these two ladies.
13:58This is a winner-take-all match.
14:00You don't see that that much.
14:01So the TBS title's on the line.
14:03The New Japan Strong Woman's title's on the line.
14:06So big deal here.
14:08Mercedes, the knees in the corner.
14:10Becker could be in trouble as Mercedes Manet.
14:16Now the DDT.
14:18Yes!
14:19Bouncing off the ropes.
14:21One, two, no!
14:25A lot of heart, a lot of toughness to kick out
14:27of something like that.
14:28I think that's why Mercedes is a little perplexed right now.
14:31That Stephanie McCraw was able to kick out.
14:35Nigel, that was such a heads-up move
14:37by Mercedes Manet.
14:38She felt Becker shifting Mercedes' weight into the ropes
14:42and then Mercedes bouncing off the ropes
14:44to execute the DDT.
14:45They're using her momentum to her advantage.
14:48Perhaps Manet now could be looking for the moneymaker.
14:58I think Mercedes, she hears
15:00There it comes.
15:01Chanting Stephanie's name.
15:03Moneymaker, no, countered.
15:06Lariat intercepted, DDT, this time from Becker.
15:09Now Stephanie rolls up, Mercedes, two.
15:13Mercedes able to kick out Becker.
15:16Great comeback for her there,
15:17but now she needs to keep building on that.
15:21And drops the leg.
15:23Side of the head, two.
15:25And Mercedes kicking out.
15:28Becker.
15:29Again, we talked about cardio.
15:31This young lady, her cardio is tremendous, man.
15:34Mercedes.
15:35Nice.
15:36Rolls through.
15:37Up to her feet.
15:39Could be moneymaker.
15:41Or no.
15:42Becker trying to free her arms.
15:46Yeah, both ladies jockeying for position here.
15:49Wait, Mercedes down.
15:51Becker, cover, two.
15:53And...
15:55Stephanie staying close to Mercedes.
15:58Now looking for that double underhook pile driver.
16:01Instead, Mercedes finds her feet underneath her.
16:05And both women, same idea.
16:07Oh, wow.
16:08Tell you what, I do think Mercedes really got the worst of that.
16:12Her head really hit the mat hard.
16:16You can see the whiplash of Manae's legs.
16:18Yeah.
16:19It's both her.
16:21Just watch here.
16:22Yeah, you can see both.
16:23It's the same idea, but watch the legs.
16:25Yeah, watch that.
16:26Whipping around.
16:27Yeah, that's exactly right.
16:28That's your head snapping down and pops your legs out.
16:32Hopefully, she's okay.
16:33Manae there, telling the official she's more than able to continue.
16:39It's tough.
16:40I mean, Mercedes is...
16:42She's not a...
16:44Oh, look at this.
16:45Both ladies.
16:46But Mercedes, the unsteadier of the two.
16:49As Becker...
16:52And Mercedes, champion and champion.
16:55Eye-to-eye, Becker, and Mercedes.
17:00Oh, Becker.
17:01Tried to duck.
17:02Got caught.
17:03That was a great shot by Manae.
17:06Oh, Becker.
17:07Oh, not on her feet.
17:08Instead, into a pin.
17:10And now Becker.
17:12The crossface is cinched in.
17:14Mercedes was looking for this earlier, but now it's Becker that has it locked on.
17:17Got a good gable grip on that right now.
17:19Normally, people use an S-grip.
17:20That gable grip is tighter.
17:23As Mercedes reverses.
17:25Becker, forced to abandon ship.
17:27Good counter there by Mercedes for a pin.
17:29Pin cover.
17:30And Becker...
17:33Gets brought down.
17:34And now Mercedes, a crossface of her own.
17:37Stephanie Becker is trapped.
17:39Yeah, she's using an S-grip as Mercedes.
17:41And you see Stephanie attacking the grip.
17:44She's trying to break the grip.
17:46Becker, her hair is in her eyes.
17:48Perhaps inhibiting her vision.
17:50Gotta hook that leg and go for a pin.
17:52Or try to get to the ropes, I think.
17:53Whether she can see it or not, she's heading to the ropes.
17:55Oh, nice block.
17:56Now Mercedes, she used the rope.
17:58Ex-caliber Mercedes for momentum.
18:00But look at this.
18:01To launch off, but now Stephanie Becker.
18:03With Mercedes on the shoulders.
18:05You can see those shots, even on Stephanie's hair.
18:10Becker has won everybody over here.
18:14Becker, the knees!
18:18But was it the last gasp of the New Japan Strong Women's Champion?
18:23Yeah, because she's not going for a cover.
18:25But these two ladies have really been putting each other to the test, for sure.
18:31Both champions have expended so much energy.
18:34They have left it all in the center of the ring.
18:36And now a decision hanging in the balance.
18:39Hence why they are both champions.
18:42They compete like this all the time.
18:44Win or take all right now.
18:45Whoever wins this thing has both titles.
18:47TBS title, New Japan Strong Women's title.
18:52Yeah, the stakes don't get much higher than this.
18:54It's back for a look for the cover.
18:55Mercedes.
18:57Kick down.
19:06Yes.
19:07Now.
19:09Mercedes!
19:11The backstabber!
19:13The second one!
19:15Becker sent over the top.
19:17And Mercedes...
19:25The kind of people...
19:26I think with a little bit of what's happened here...
19:29It's because Mercedes is from Boston.
19:31From Boston.
19:33There was a dude with a Boston Celtics shirt.
19:35With a cover to here in New York.
19:36Cursed him out.
19:37You find any excuse you want.
19:39I think Stephanie Becker has just made herself a favorite of everyone in New Orleans.
19:45Becker!
19:46The boots up, Mercedes!
19:48I think she's definitely earned respect.
19:49But I think the Boston thing is a real thing.
19:51Watch out!
19:53Becker catches the boots.
19:55Oh!
19:56Dragon!
19:57Screw that!
19:58That was nasty!
20:02Yeah, that was brutal.
20:03And she's not done, Stephanie.
20:04Becker!
20:05The knees in the corner!
20:08Mercedes landed those early.
20:10Earlier now, it's Stephanie Becker.
20:12La Primera's turn.
20:14The leg hooked!
20:15Two and...
20:17Big time kick out by Mercedes.
20:21This is it.
20:23This is a moment.
20:26Stick your flag in the ground and prove to the world!
20:33Becker, now the double underhook.
20:35As Mercedes finds her feet.
20:39And trying to hammer Becker down.
20:42Trying to flatten her out.
20:44Mercedes, now again.
20:48The crossface in deep.
20:50Yeah, she's got it in, man.
20:54But again, Becker slowly towards the ropes.
20:58Yeah, Becker able to get her hip underneath her.
21:00And the crook of her arm is in the crook of the knee of Mercedes.
21:04She was pulled!
21:05Checkmate!
21:06Becker reversing Mercedes, though.
21:08Attempting to bridge up.
21:09Tough to do this late in the match.
21:11Instead...
21:12Damage to the leg.
21:13Now, Mercedes.
21:14No, Becker lands on her feet.
21:17Mercedes!
21:20No moneymaker there.
21:22Instead...
21:24Mercedes goes around.
21:26Transitions into it.
21:28Moneymaker!
21:29She's gonna get her.
21:31And now the crossface!
21:32Tap it.
21:38The winner of this match and new
21:41NJPW Strong Women's Champion
21:44and still TVS Champion
21:47the CEO
21:49Mercedes Mane!
22:01Well, Mercedes Mane,
22:03the moneymaker,
22:06flattening out.
22:07A vociferous response
22:11from the Long Island.
22:13But Mercedes Mane doesn't care.
22:16Two titles, more money!
22:18Exactly.
22:19Exactly.
22:20Mundo, she's dancing her way right up to Boston.
22:23I don't blame her.
22:24And I'm from here.
22:25Well, Taz, you know,
22:27she landed the moneymaker, did Mercedes Mane.
22:30But with that crossface,
22:31I think you could call that a statement maker.
22:34No doubt.
22:35Wait a second.
22:42Is she back?
22:46The doctor is back!
22:48Dr. Britt Baker!
22:50DMD!
23:06DMD!
23:07DMD!
23:08DMD!
23:09DMD!
23:10DMD!
23:11DMD!
23:12Taz, I hate to speculate on the motives
23:15of the good doctor,
23:16but usually when you upstage somebody like this
23:20the message is pretty clear.
23:22Yeah, I think you're right about that.
23:25What a great reaction.
23:27And Mercedes Mane is showing that,
23:28hey, I don't care, look at these titles.
23:30We could be in a world where we see DMD versus CEO.
23:37Oh, I think we're definitely in that world, my friend.
23:42Wow.
23:43Well, fans, coming in January,
23:44our partners at New Japan Pro Wrestling will debut a brand new event.