Mercedes Mone Admits Bryan Danielson’s Strangulation Scene Was Hard to Watch

AEW All Out has sparked a lot of discussion in the wrestling world, particularly regarding the extreme levels of violence seen at the event.

Among the more shocking moments was Bryan Danielson being strangled with a plastic bag after his match with Jack Perry, and the main event between Swerve Strickland and Adam Page, which featured cinder blocks and syringe needles in their blood-soaked battle.

In the latest edition of Mone Mag, Mercedes Mone offered her perspective on the violence, particularly Danielson’s moment, which she found difficult to watch. Mone admitted to having mixed emotions about such content, acknowledging the delicate balance promotions must strike between appealing to fans who love extreme wrestling and protecting younger, multi-generational audiences.

“All Out was extremely violent, and honestly, Daniel Bryan’s stuff was tough to watch. I have mixed emotions. When done right, that kind of stuff can tear a roof off like Daniel’s did. However, I wouldn’t want my brother Joshua to watch stuff like that, or kids, for that matter. Wrestling is multi-generational… I greet so many parents and their children at signings, and it warms my heart. Then again, there is an audience that loves the extreme, and you want to cater to them, too.”

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Mone also addressed the blame that sometimes falls on promotions for such brutality, emphasizing that it’s often the wrestlers themselves who choose to go to the extreme. While she credits those talents for their passion and courage, she expressed concern about their long-term health and longevity in the business.

“When you see your favorite stars going to the extreme, you may want to blame the promotion. Honestly, though, it’s the talent who will usually make the calls in the ring. While I credit talents who go to the extreme in terms of violence inflicted upon themselves, I also want talent to have longevity and to graduate from this world healthy and able to function. Personally, I’m at a place careerwise where I’d like to avoid extreme matches – unless it’s a true big value add to the company.”

Mercedes Mone’s candid reflections on AEW All Out shed light on the complex dynamics of violence in wrestling and the responsibility to balance entertainment with safety.

What do you think of Mone’s take on extreme wrestling? Should promotions continue to push the envelope, or is there a line that shouldn’t be crossed? Let us know in the comments!