AEW and NJPW will throw open the Forbidden Door later this month as the PPV of the same name will be back for a second time. With only two matches announced for the show so far, Forbidden Door 2 is already looking like it's going to be a huge event. An event that could have been even bigger if it wasn't for Mercedes Mone having a broken ankle.

Mercedes Mone At Forbidden Door

Mone is yet to show up in AEW, competing solely in New Japan since she appeared at Wrestle Kingdom to kick off 2023. However, an event on which both AEW and NJPW stars compete would have been the best place for Mone to technically make her AEW debut. Even though Tony Khan wouldn't comment on the possibility of that happening, apparently there were extensive talks between the two parties regarding a Mone appearance at Forbidden Door.

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Despite Khan refusing to comment on whether he had spoken with Mone, Fightful has reported sources close to the AEW CEO have confirmed there were discussions about the woman formerly known as Sasha Banks appearing on the show. Whether that would have been a match or Mone simply showing up as she did at Wrestle Kingdom remains unclear.

Mone's Injury

Mone made it to the final of the tournament to crown the first NJPW Strong Women's Champion last month, losing to AEW's Willow Nightingale. It has since been claimed the plan was for Mone to win that match up until she was injured jumping from the apron. The result was changed on the fly and Nightingale is now champion, taking the title back to AEW with her.

Even though Mone won't have healed in time to be a part of Forbidden Door, Nightingale winning a title that was meant for her means there's a readymade storyline in place for her to show up in AEW whenever she's ready. If Mone is healed up and ready to go by the end of August, a match at All In, or shortly after at All Out, would be a hell of a way for her to debut in AEW.