The current ROH Women’s TV Champion Red Velvet, called out the AEW TBS Champion Mercedes Mone a few months ago. Since then, nothing seems to have materialized between the two, but it was a bold statement from Velvet.
While speaking with Women’s Wrestling Talk, the ROH Women’s TV Champion spoke about this moment.
“I feel like everyone shoots their shot. So the opportunity presented itself at this last media scrum and I just looked at Tony and I called her out. I’m not afraid to get my ass beat. I think some people, I’m not saying this about her (Mercedes Mone), I’m just saying in general, I just think some people are afraid to get their ass beat or to call somebody out and it not go the way you wanted it to go. I’ve been in some fights and like, some fights don’t go how you want them to go. My first fight ever, I had no idea how big this girl was until she stepped in front of me and I was like, all right, today might be the day I get my ass beat or I might learn something and my fighting instincts kicked in and I won the fight. I would say she had like two big black eyes and I didn’t. So that was a really big learning experience. So I was like, I’m gonna shoot my shot. Like why? Who would not want to go against Mercedes Mone? I think people were like coming after me like, you want this match for clout? For clout? I want this match because I’m that good and I want her to know that.” (Transcript: Fightful)
Velvet is certainly still willing to fight with Mercedes, but she doesn’t want to put her championship on the line. Maybe in a Title for Title though?
“No, because personally, like, I’ll chase her around all day, every day until she sees me. So it’s not even a… put the title for the title. But I’m not afraid of a loss, honestly. She has something that I’ve personally wanted before she was even in this company, and that’s the TBS title. That should have been mine. That night, that should have been mine. I know in my heart. But that night, I hurt my knee, and honestly, mentally, it was for the best. I was not all there. So there’s a reason why I didn’t have it, but like I’ve been chasing that TBS title since before I was in the tournament when the title was introduced. You think I’m not going to come back around for something that should be mine? I wouldn’t mind doing a title for title, but I just don’t think it’s like a one match thing with her because like she’s one of the best. So I’m also a student of the game. If it’s not for me, the cards are not for me, then I’m going to learn something hopefully really well from that match and all you could do is go above and grow. I think too many people… I’m not one to be like, I lost, it’s the end of the world. I’ve taken a lot of L’s, but there’s certain lessons that you learn from taking L’s, and if you never take L’s, then baby, you got a weakness too. You’re not untouchable, because you don’t know defeat, and defeat will build you and it gives you grit. So I shot my shot that time. Tony probably didn’t want it. Maybe she didn’t want it. I have the utmost respect for her, but I think she is the best of her time. I will be the best of my time. People want to see it. So- it’s gonna happen when it is meant to happen. I’m a timing person. I believe so is she, so i don’t doubt that that time will come. When it does, I’ll be ready and it’s gonna be a good one.”
Velvet is currently set to defend her championship against La Catalina. La Catalina won a number one’s contender match against Taya Valkyrie. Velvet had been out of action since February due to injury and has now returned.
