Mercedes Mone Ankle Injury & NJPW Return Plans Update

As noted before, Mercedes Mone has been out of action for New Japan Pro Wrestling since this past May due to an ankle injury.

Dave Meltzer reported in this week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter that his sources stated that there is currently no timetable set for Mone’s return from injury. Meltzer reported that even high level NJPW officials are currently not sure when she will be able to return.

NJPW officials reportedly currently have plans for Mone to challenge Giulia for her NJPW Strong Women’s Championship once she returns from her injury. Meltzer reported that due to the belt was originally created specifically for Mone, NJPW officials also currently do not have any actual plans or dates for Giulia to defend her title while Mone is out.

Meltzer reported that while the original plan was for the IWGP Women’s Championship to be defended at NJPW’s major events in Japan and the United States, the decision to create a separate NJPW Strong Championship is still something that nobody within NJPW has really explained the reason why they needed to have two Women’s belts for their U.S. market shows.