Athena vs. Mercedes Moné
• Non Title Owen Hart Foundation 2025 Women's Tournament Semi Final Match [Full Match]
• AEW Dynamite #289 - Spring BreakThru - Tag 1 April 17, 2025
• 720p HD
• Non Title Owen Hart Foundation 2025 Women's Tournament Semi Final Match [Full Match]
• AEW Dynamite #289 - Spring BreakThru - Tag 1 April 17, 2025
• 720p HD
Category
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PeopleTranscript
00:00That is not the only tournament match we have we are kicking off the semifinals right now
00:30And Tony due to the injury to hook due to him being taken to the hospital for observation is just you and I tonight
00:49The image suplex machine Taz of course at the hospital alongside his son
00:53Understandably so and that was a horrible thing that happened earlier
00:58To a foot and we're sure this wonderful young athlete will be back in action
01:03As soon as possible yes, the Deathriders strike again this time it was revolting
01:15There's real mention here
01:28And for Dallas, Texas Sheep is the Ring of Honor Women's World Champion, the Falling Goddess of Theta
01:40Let me tell you this time of year when the Owen Hart Foundation Tournament is going full steam it's always special
01:48But this year in the semifinals we have a champion versus champion match of course neither title is on the line
01:57But what's at stake here Tony is a spot in the tournament finals
02:01Winner of this match will go on to double or nothing to buy against either
02:05Jamie had your first down later and that should be a great match up as well but
02:10I consider this Excalibur almost like a women's dream match between these two ladies who've been so successful over the past few years
02:19I mean not just successful over the past few years but successful throughout their entire career
02:23These are women that have shared the locker room shared the ring together, but have never faced off one-on-one
02:30That is why this is a dream match and that is why we are kicking dynamite off with this tonight
02:37Athena 64-0 since winning the Ring of Honor Women's World Title the most successful ROH champion
02:44With history, 858-day ring
02:47And then Mercedes-Monnaie
02:4919-0 record since winning the TBS championship back at double or nothing last year
02:55Wow, and fans to learn more about the mission and the message of the Owen Hart Foundation visit OwenHartFoundation.org
03:02Molten atmosphere here in Boston
03:05The city in which Mercedes-Monnaie made her AEW debut not too long ago
03:12Such a big night
03:16So proud to be a part of AEW and this night especially
03:21And look, these fans are
03:23These fans are red on
03:27And just think we'll be back here live in Boston tomorrow night for collision on TNT special night
03:33Thursday night collision tomorrow night
03:35Yes, they will be live right back here and I can't wait for that
03:40That's a good night
03:41Color Novo tie-up
03:42And Athena lower center of gravity
03:45Taking Mercedes down to the mat
03:47And as we mentioned
03:49A spot in the finals
03:51On the line in this match
03:53The 2025 Owen Hart Foundation Tournament
03:56As Athena and Mercedes
03:59Color Novo tie-up
03:59Neither woman willing to relent
04:02But it's
04:04Mercedes breaking first and getting in the face of the forever Ring of Honor women's champion
04:11I talked about this being a historic night
04:13For all of us in AEW and primetime wrestling
04:17Here on TBS and of course over on TNT where we have collision
04:22Every wrestler today that I talked to realize it did not escape them how big this night was
04:28It was a different feeling in the locker rooms here today
04:32And that news Tony or that this this record-breaking event tonight on dynamite
04:37Also paired with the news that we're coming
04:39Not just to glasgow not just to london for forbidden door but also
04:43Grand slam mexico we'll have more on that wow our broadcast continues but a huge
04:48Week of news here for all unique wrestling what a memorable year
04:51We got a sellout crowd here. It's just great being a part of AEW you're taking a look and you're taking a look
04:58This is the chant of CEO
05:00That old press there as athena
05:03Kicking out now athena goes over crucifix
05:06Mercedes able to break it up mercedes-monee now
05:09Thinking backslide athena down shoot
05:14And athena though even this is even though this is mercedes hometown tony athena with her fair share of support
05:19As she has the inside cradle on mercedes mercedes shifts her balance now
05:23Both women looking for cradles neither woman finding a pinfall
05:27The fans are loving
05:28And I think are the cover
05:31I think excalibur the fact that
05:34Fans respect what athena has done in this incredible reign as ring of honor women's world champion
05:40And mercedes-monee the fifth the current tbs champion holding the title for 325 days 16 title defenses
05:47But her reign mercedes pales in comparison to athena's record-setting reign as ring of honor women's world champion
05:54As
05:55Now once again locked in the collar and elbow tie up and then we see the bottom of your screen hangman adam page
06:00Facing up against the wild card the mystery entrant in the owen hart foundation
06:04Men's tournament first round match kanosuke tekester will osprey they will kick off the men's semifinals right now mercedes looking for
06:12Hitting predicament who intercepted
06:15W world tag team championships on the line the hurt syndicate
06:19Taking on gates of agony tony. I think that one is going to be a slush fest
06:24Wow, no question about that and plus our main event dirt death riders engaging a little bit of dirty pool
06:31Attacking hook taking him out of action earlier today. It will be katsuri shibati samoa joe then quick kick out there by athena
06:39And samoa joe shibata they said they don't care tony. They will walk into this match
06:44Outnumbered well, you know what?
06:47You know how samoa joe is
06:49He's so calm. He's so cool, but he has a very violent side about him talking to him today after what went down with hook
06:55He was very angry
06:57Ticked off to say the least and he's ready to fight
07:02Mercedes maybe looking for the oh wait now athena counters two
07:06And athena backs off mercedes
07:09Countered kick to the midsection athena as he carries staggers the tbs champion into the corner
07:15And now athena closing the
07:20Big elbow strike so athletic excalibur it's like credit once again two
07:25Mercedes able to kick out
07:28And tony these two women they're pushing
07:31A very fast pace here in the opening moments of the match
07:33And i'm not so sure who that favors i'm thinking it favors mercedes
07:38And right now stare down with aubrey edwards the referee who by the way is resting his
07:43referee in her 2000s match in her career
07:48Here tonight so we got a lot going on in this program by the way dynamite we've had 37
07:53championship title changes during the general and 88 previous events
08:00a second statement maker center of the ring this could be it
08:04Mercedes could be on her way to the finals of the 2025 own heart foundation tournament
08:09athena though fighting at the grip of the ceo
08:18And now mercedes changing changing sides putting her body
08:23in between athena and the rosewood maintaining her grip and oh wow
08:27going to the floor right in front of our desk
08:31and now the action out of the ring tony this is this is illegal you hear aubrey edwards
08:36Yes
08:38Telling mercedes match can't be won on the outside
08:40But i think mercedes is just looking to inflict the maximum amount of punishment possible and she's screaming give up here
08:46Of course as she knows if she can get
08:49She can get athena down rolled in the ring she can win those things by count out and advance
08:56And look at the joe is set by mercedes
09:00How about athena turning things around on the ceo now
09:02athena
09:05whoa knees
09:07and knock the ring of honor women's world champion inverted
09:12she's in a tough spot here is athena she cannot get away she is locked in
09:17and mercedes knows it here excalibur
09:21Mercedes no shortage of confidence
09:24Athena no athena bridge backwards mercedes tweaked her ankle on the way down
09:32and now athena
09:34the stunner on the outside and don't go anywhere because action in the 2025 own heart foundation tournament continues
09:42tremendous job by athena excalibur to get out of that she was stuck and she came out looking
09:51the best out of that was she stuck tony or did she bait mercedes in that's good that's a good point
09:58that's a great point
09:58What a way to start this 289 historic making telecast and there you see what we've got still to come tonight
10:10athena
10:12now taking
10:13mercedes face first into that ring apron
10:16i thought athena would be returning mercedes to the ring but instead athena content
10:24to punish the tbs champion on the outside
10:31mercedes just fighting back though as athena as athena came towards her kick right in the midsection
10:38you know this started out excalibur a very very good wrestling match between two ladies
10:46it's gotten physical
10:48as it as it increased and now the physicality is at the height right now well think about this though
10:53mercedes-mane for so long
10:56had a spotless win-loss record here or i should say loss record in aew but it was athena alongside
11:03julia hart that gave away now the cover here
11:06athena only a two count for her but it was athena and julia hart that gave mercedes the
11:12first blemish on her record it was a loss in a tag team match it's harley cameron
11:16that tapped out but it's still technically a loss for the ceo that's right and
11:20believe you me even though it wasn't in singles competition mercedes realized that
11:27got a hammer throw into the corner athena close the distance mercedes
11:31slips between the ropes knee strike uh-oh and athena oh brother maybe up on a silver platter for
11:38the ceo
11:45oh she folded her in half one two no athena able to kick out that was incredible it was incredible that
11:52athena could kick out
11:57and mercedes you could see the frustration beginning to bubble up
12:02thought she may have had the ring of honor women's world champion
12:06down for the count but that was not the case i think everybody here thought she had her down for the count
12:14athena nearly two and a half years as ring of honor women's world champion
12:18it's amazing 28 successful defenses that sends mercedes to the floor and now i have trouble here
12:27and athena just drove mercedes into our desk and our test has lurched back about four or five inches
12:34both ladies are hurting from that there you see mercedes athena barely can get to her feet right now
12:41incredible what these ladies are putting on the line trying to get to the finals of the owen hart cup
12:49trying to get to all land to buy for the world title
13:00aw dynamite live on tbs and max we have had an action-packed open contest let's take you back to
13:07what occurred during the break mercedes the massive knee drop only a two count for mercedes but athena
13:14the fallen goddess answering back with a devastating topé and both ladies hit very hard on the desk
13:20i'm still amazed athena can come back after those knees across the turnbuckle that time by mercedes
13:28manet and athena the ring of honor women's world champion your forever champion just rocked the
13:33ceo the tbs champion but mercedes firing back in kines there she goes look at this i don't know
13:40as much as mercedes is a great wrestler i don't know if she oh i was gonna say i don't know she
13:45wants to slug it out with athena but that proved me wrong oh mercedes great invasion great thrust kick and
13:53now athena has mercedes poised for maybe a tombstone but you see mercedes kicking the feet
14:04and athena she's fighting it but mercedes voice her up and now athena though cartwheeling out of it
14:14both women battling both women looking for an advantage
14:20this is amazing this is just great women's wrestling and this is great wrestling tony and this is for a spot
14:27of the owen hart foundation tournament
14:33run blower corner fans are standing everywhere here
14:38sunday may 25th the desert diamond arena glendale arizona double or nothing it will be the finals
14:47of the 2025 owen hart foundation tournament
14:51mercedes manet or athena will meet either jamie hater or chris stantland and mercedes makes the cover
14:57and mercedes trying to make a case for herself in the finals
15:00disappointment on the face of mercedes you know she feels the pressure here excalibur not only trying
15:07to make the finals but the pressure of wrestling in her hometown in front of fans left your family members
15:13now mercedes calculating her next move remember it's been more than two and a half years
15:22since athena was pinned in a singles contest as mercedes looking for the swinging dd
15:29goodness got some spring off the ropes nicely done by mercedes and now mercedes a second ddt
15:50you're talking about a match that can go either way on a minute's notice it's this one right
15:54here who's gonna win it here's a look at this watch how athena was spiked on the crown of her head
16:02but just a two count for the ceo
16:06denied at least temporarily her spot in the 2025 owen hart foundation finals three levels here in this
16:15arena and they are chanting this is awesome and we are agreeing with you guys every bit of the way
16:22spring breakthrough night one
16:27as mercedes the suplex she likes this three amigos that fans know what's coming up to each other
16:36the second the pop of the hips mercedes back up to her feet but mercedes not done yet but maybe four
16:44fans were chanting here eddie eddie oh look at this look at that pickup and a second power bomb
16:58make it up make it three
17:03as she looks out does athena jaw set she's got mercedes mercedes slips behind devastating backbreaker
17:14from the ceo wow that was a that was a hell of a an escape by mercedes yeah three consecutive power
17:23rounds from the fallen goddess athena but mercedes i don't know if it was lucky or if it was skillful
17:30but it was a much needed miss a much needed escape for the ceo well i think you would agree and i know
17:37you've been in the ring you took you needed some luck as well but that was a lot of skill involved
17:43uppercut from athena but mercedes rapid fire elbow strikes battering athena now just hammering
17:49yeah she let her uh mercedes let her get the best of us right now
17:56or best of her and now athena though pops up to valley driver leg is hooked covers me
18:06but mercedes kicking out and now athena you saw that jaw set determination etched on her face
18:15now mercedes seeking refuge into the turnbuckles here but
18:20mercedes blocking the right elbow strike answering with one of her own
18:26second counter for mercedes a third
18:32hammer thrown to the corner room first and athena
18:36the back splash and now athena charging it mercedes ducks underneath
18:41and oh mercedes double knees driving athena through the ropes
18:48athena can barely get back into the ring well here she comes around the other side
18:56right now athena's got mercedes back to her when mercedes turns around
19:00i thought she would try to slip in behind here
19:02and athena i think she was trying to take herself out of jeopardy on the floor but inadvertently
19:10may have put herself in harm's way mercedes was looking at the floor that time they scouted about
19:15and that oh look at mercedes just trying to drag athena down but athena is locked on that middle rope
19:22mercedes trying to establish her vertical base once again being hammered on is athena and athena
19:32oh man this is dangerous for both women this is extremely dangerous
19:38as athena
19:46one hand looked like it slipped but
19:51oh wait wait a second athena just breaks the grip and mercedes starts stomping down
19:57right now athena's got the high ground
20:07athena with with the high ground with the advantage
20:11but the match tony it's cliche but it's true it has to be one inside the ring i was thinking the same
20:16thing bring bring one bring your opponent in the ring girls wait mercedes has athena on the back
20:27look at this caught her right below the chin what a shot by athena inside the ring goes athena and
20:39on the apron mercedes hit the hip very hard the left hip one two
20:46now mercedes kicking out yeah just a twist to the body left shoulder shot up she used the
20:52the hips as well take a look at how mercedes hits right there the left hip but still was able to
20:57rotate it up and get out of it and athena what a freaking now look at this athena
21:04crossface locked in got the left arm of mercedes captured as athena the ring of honor women's world
21:12champion cranking back
21:17looks like mercedes trying to find the rope with her left foot but nope not now
21:22no mercedes floats over transitions
21:28but athena she was not down flat mercedes didn't have her completely broken now
21:32the roll up and mercedes forced to abandon ship
21:35double underhook by athena no instead athena could be thinking powerbomb but mercedes no intent
21:50to find out as she sends athena into the corner now just shot to the back of the head
21:54mercedes she over committed with that one tony athena made her pay the price the physicality
22:03we are seeing with these two ladies it just shows you how much it means to try to get a world title
22:08shot and win the owen hart tournament oh great move sadie's taking herself
22:17out of pinfall range of athena great move by mercedes and the anger you see on the face
22:25of the falling goddess again not sure if it was luck not sure for a skill maybe a little of both but
22:30i don't think it matters is athena now lining up mercedes but oh mercedes the side step and
22:40athena crashes hard into the barricade i think she went head first or at least hit the side of her head
22:45in the barricade that time excalibur and mercedes
22:49maybe she can feel the winds shifting in her favor
22:59mercedes where is she going with athena athena now up on the barricade here
23:05but athena oh brother trying to drag mercedes up to the barricade
23:11now both combatants straddling the barricade oh this is
23:19athena up on top under her hook no mercedes lands on her feet staggers backwards nobody home
23:31and oh shot good dropkick look at that mercedes the impact making the barricade short out
23:40just shows you how powerful that dropkick was absolutely how hard mercedes said could be over now
23:46the old face no mercedes blocks mercedes the jackknife the cover two
23:57the tvs champion the c-o
24:01mercedes
24:07mercedes
24:08mercedes monet punching her ticket to the finals where she awaits the winner of next wednesday night
24:14semi-final match between jamie hater and chris statlander as aw dynamite returns to new
24:21orleans louisiana one week from tonight gonna go on a limb and say that was mercedes's best win
24:27even the way she won the tvs championship back last may that match that win was her best by far
24:34mercedes monet she'll be waiting at double or nothing on sunday may 25th
24:43for either jamie hater or chris statlander but it appears that the aew women's world champion
24:49timeless tony storm oh there she is up in the stands with luther if tony storm is champion
24:59she will put her aew women's world championship on the line at all in texas on july 12th but that is
25:08if timeless tony storm remains aew women's world champion come all in texas what an opening match
25:17for program 289 here on tbs of aew dynamite we're just starting and we couldn't have dynamite without
25:27our colleague the remarkable renee paquette
25:34a hangman wants try this question again with you but coming up in moments you are facing the