Jim Ross Clarifies Controversial Remarks About Mercedes Mone’s AEW Run

WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross sparked plenty of chatter recently after sharing his thoughts on AEW TBS Champion Mercedes Mone. On his Grilling JR podcast last week, Ross admitted that he hasn’t fully connected with Mone’s character since her arrival in AEW, leading to fan discussions across social media.

“I still haven’t felt her connection yet,” Ross stated. “I know she has a lot of popularity. I know that people around the world know who she is, but I haven’t felt it. Sometimes I think she’s a cool babyface, and sometimes I think she’s a cool heel, but she’s pretty cool nonetheless.”

Ross’ comments came as a surprise, considering Mone’s global fame and recognition. Positioned as one of AEW’s top heels, Mone has been a standout talent, but Ross hinted that her character development might not be where it needs to be yet. His remarks focused on the difficulty of finding a consistent spark in her performances, which have sometimes felt disconnected.

Fast forward to this week, and Jim Ross took the opportunity to clarify those comments, ensuring fans understood he wasn’t criticizing Mone, but rather the way she’s been used in AEW.

“One thing that’s on my mind that I want to clear up,” Ross began on his latest episode. “I said something regarding Mercedes Mone that, you know, she had not rung my bell, shall we say. That was no disrespect meant to her. It’s all depending on how you’re booked and who you’re working with, and the scenario, the storyline. I think she’s been short of storyline, and so therefore I haven’t got to feel that grit and that aggression.”

Ross went on to praise Mone for her professionalism, athleticism, and attention to detail, even noting how she takes pride in everything from her wardrobe to her music. But he feels her series of one-off matches in AEW haven’t allowed her to fully develop a deep, personal rivalry—the kind that makes a wrestler truly connect with the audience.

“I’m just saying that how she has been booked and the opponents that she’s worked with, she’s done a series of one-offs, and that’s hard to get over when you’re doing a series of one-offs,” Ross added. “You don’t have time to sink your teeth into a personal issue, and if you don’t have a personal issue, in my world, where good old JR resides, personal issues are everything.”

Despite his initial reservations, Ross remained optimistic about Mone’s future in AEW, stating, “I’m a big fan of her work. It’s just, I think, you know, she could be even more effective. The best is yet to come for her.”

With Ross offering praise alongside constructive feedback, it’s clear that he believes Mercedes Mone has the potential to reach even greater heights as her character continues to evolve in AEW.